by M A Comley
Sara’s cheeks warmed up at the thought. “Umm… don’t you go digging too much, a girl likes a little privacy from her parents in that department, Mum.”
“Oh my, I didn’t mean in that respect. Oh Gosh, I’m sorry. Hush my mouth.”
Her mother’s flustering made her snigger. “Sorry, I was only teasing. I knew what you meant. Maybe we can all go back up to Scotland for a family holiday in the near future. It’s a beautiful part of the world.”
“That would be a wonderful idea. Rent a cottage by the sea somewhere.”
“We’ll sit down and make some plans for a break later on in the year. Make sure you work Mark well while he’s there. How’s Dad?”
“He’s a little under the weather today, nothing that a bit of bed rest won’t cure. Mark has offered to do all the little jobs we have outstanding in exchange for a hearty lunch.”
“Always thinking of your stomach, eh, hubby? Talking of which, I have to go, my own lunch is ready. We’re at Queenswood, picking up a takeaway.”
“Go, don’t let it get cold. What time will you be home tonight?”
“I’m hoping to get away by five, that’s the plan. Depends on how the investigation goes. It took a different direction this morning.”
“Oh?”
“Tell you later. Love you.” She ended the call and grabbed the paper bag from the girl behind the counter. “Thanks, see you again soon.”
“You’re welcome. Enjoy.”
Sara handed Carla the food once she was back in the car and put her foot down on the way back into town.
Craig was thankful to see them. “God, I’m starving, you must’ve read my mind.” He tore open his lunch and began eating it immediately.
“Easy, you’ll get an ulcer. Do you want a coffee to go with that?” Sara asked.
Craig took another big bite of his burger and with his mouth full, he said, “I’ll get them. What happened out there?”
“We managed to speak to the guy who runs the airfield, nice chap. He told us that Barrows Associates own a plane and that it has made a number of trips from the airfield this week. Their destination is to another airfield in Shropshire. I need to get on to them as soon as I’ve filled my belly.”
“That name keeps cropping up, doesn’t it?” Craig stated.
“Yep, the company that doesn’t exist,” Sara confirmed. She took a large mouthful of her chicken burger and savoured the crisp crumb coating of the chicken fillet.
“Where do we go from here then?” Craig asked as he popped a chip, slathered in ketchup, into his mouth.
“I’ve instructed the guy at the airfield, Terry, to contact me as soon as someone from the firm books another flight.”
“The victim, you genuinely think she was thrown from the plane?”
“According to Lorraine. My take is she was either pushed or she fell to her death, maybe she tried to escape. It’s a long shot, but that’s all I have right now.”
“That scenario seems a bit extreme,” Carla piped up. She wiped her mouth on a napkin and picked up another chip.
“It does. I’m open to suggestions if either of you have any. The only other step I can think of to get any kind of reaction is to go with Carla’s idea of holding another press conference.”
“I managed to refine the image,” Craig replied.
“Brilliant news. It has to work. It’s all we’ve got. The name of the company, which is false, and his image. Is it good enough to run through the system, Craig?”
“I can try. There’s no point in me trying to locate the limo now, is there? Now that we’ve made the connection with the airfield.”
“No, it will only be a waste of time. I think we’ve finally hit a wall for now, until Terry gives us the heads-up.”
“That’s bloody annoying, there must be something we can do.” Carla drummed the fingers of her free hand on the desk while she took another bite from her burger.
“I can’t think of anything. Apart from searching the map in Shropshire for a possible location as to where this guy might be holding the girls.”
Craig’s eyes widened and he gulped. “What? Do you have any idea what size Shropshire is?”
“All right, it might have been a daft suggestion but…”
“It’s all we’ve got,” Carla finished off for her.
Sara shrugged. “Exactly. The airfield is near Church Stretton.”
“I’ve driven through there a few times, there are some hilly parts on that stretch,” Carla noted.
“Craig, can you get the map up for me? Transfer it to the screen so we can have a more in-depth look at the area.”
He put his burger on one side, wiped his fingers on the napkin and tapped at the keyboard. Sara switched on the fifty-inch TV screen on the far side of the room and wheeled it closer to where they were sitting.
“There you go. Give me the nod when you want me to zoom in,” Craig reached for his burger again.
Sara peered at the screen and shook her head. “I can’t tell, it’s going to be pointless searching, as you say, it’s bloody vast.” She vented her frustrations and kicked out at a nearby chair, sending it hurtling against the wall to her office.
“That isn’t going to help,” Carla grumbled.
“Ha, it made me feel better for the tiniest instant.” Sara left the desk and went over to where Will usually sits. “Will had a list of the limo owners, didn’t he? Ah, yes, here it is. She ran her finger down the list and shook her head. “I thought he may have missed the firm. Nope, it’s not on here.” Sara left the list on her colleague’s desk and returned to her seat with a sinking feeling ripping her insides apart. “I don’t know what else to suggest. What about you two?”
Carla shook her head and threw the remains of her meal in the bin beside her. “Nothing.”
Craig shook his head. “Me neither.”
“Which leaves us with one other option on the table.”
“Holding another press conference,” Carla filled in the blanks. “You’d be within your rights, now that we have another girl reported missing, plus a victim we’ve yet to identify.”
Sara rushed into her office to call Jane Donaldson.
“Jane, I know it’s Saturday, I’m sorry to disturb you, but it’s an emergency, I promise.”
“Go on, what do you need?”
“Another press conference ASAP.”
“At the weekend? I doubt we’d get many interested journalists, to be honest, Sara. Can’t it wait until Monday?”
“I wish it could.” She relayed the latest information they’d been working on to see if that would do the trick of jolting Jane into action.
It worked.
“All right. I have all my contacts in my phone. Let me see what I can organise from home and I’ll get back to you in a little while.”
“I owe you big time for this, Jane.”
“Don’t get carried away with yourself just yet.”
“I won’t. I know you’ll do your best for me, though.” Sara ended the call and returned to the incident room. “She’s doubtful whether she can pull something together over the weekend, but she’s going to pull out all the stops.”
Ten minutes later, Sara’s office phone rang. She bolted into the room and answered it. “DI Sara—”
“It’s me,” Jane replied. “I’ve managed to secure you a slot for three this afternoon. It’ll be a smaller audience than usual. I hope that’s okay?”
“You’re amazing. Smaller is fine, as long as the main players will be attending.”
“They will. Local ITV and BBC TV plus a few of the heavy hitters from the paper world.”
“I can’t thank you enough for this, Jane.”
“It didn’t take that long to pull together, once I told them what the conference would be about.”
“Gagging for it in the end, were they?” Sara chuckled.
“Definitely. Can you handle it on your own or do you need me to come in and deal with it?”
“No. The team an
d I have it covered. Sincerely, thanks so much, Jane.”
“I’ll be watching with interest when it airs this evening.”
“I hope I can pull it off without your expertise to guide me.”
“I’m not even going to answer that. Have faith in yourself. Good luck. I’m getting back to my cuddles now… umm… with my pooch.”
“Crikey, I had a dreadful feeling that I’d interrupted some real action. Enjoy the rest of your day and thanks again, Jane.”
10
Harvey was bored and out on the prowl. He’d fallen out with Daniel over the mishap which had happened the night before, when Layla had exited the plane before it landed. She’d pissed him off, she shouldn’t have done that. Now, well, she was no longer around to matter.
That night, Daniel had stormed off the second the limo arrived back in Hereford. He’d ordered Mick to drop him off on the edge of town. He’d shouted that he’d rather walk the extra three miles home than share the same air with Harvey for a second longer. Harvey had shouted after him that he would call him in the morning. He’d tried, but Daniel was ignoring his calls. Rather than go around there to have it out with his twin, here he was, on the lookout for yet another victim.
As the evening drew in, he drove around the city, even more livid than he was earlier after hearing that daft cow on the news. DI Sara Ramsey… what he wouldn’t give to wipe the smug smile off her face. He could sense the beam in her voice when she announced they had identified a suspect who they wished to speak to ‘to help them with their enquiries’. He laughed, although another emotion soon developed. His anxiety levels notched up. He knew he was taking a risk being out and about, but he had a need to satisfy that dwarfed his anxiety.
Taking the main road out of Hereford towards Worcester, the A4103, it wasn’t long before he stumbled across a young woman whose car had broken down. Being the gentleman that he was, he pulled over to offer her some assistance.
“Hi, let’s see if I can help. What appears to be the problem?”
“Oh, hi, thanks for stopping. She just died on me and yes, before you say it, there is petrol in the tank. She’s almost full.”
“Okay, let me have a look under the bonnet.” In truth, as convincing as he sounded, he didn’t have a clue what to look for; he was the type of guy who drove a car but left the maintenance up to the experts to sort out. He made the right noises as he prodded and poked around with a few of the wires. After a couple of minutes, he stepped back and shrugged. “It’s beyond me. I’m usually a dab hand with all things to do with all things engine related, but this has me flummoxed. Why don’t I give you a lift to the nearest garage, see if anyone can assist you there?”
“Would you? Oh, wait, wouldn’t it be better if you towed the car for me?”
“It would, except I don’t possess a tow rope. Have you got one?”
Disappointment filled her features and she shook her head. “I haven’t. I do have breakdown cover, maybe I would be better off ringing them instead. Yes, that’s what I’ll do. I appreciate you trying to help though, I truly do.”
“Good idea. What about if I wait around with you? I hate the thought of leaving you all alone out here when it’s getting dark.”
The young woman smiled and offered her hand for him to shake. “Deal. I’m Nicola, by the way.”
“Pleased to meet you, Nicola, I’m Harvey.”
They climbed in the car and she made the call. He listened to her end of the conversation, her irritation increasing the more she was left waiting for someone to answer her damn call. He remained patient for a while and then said, “Maybe my idea would be better. In my experience, these breakdown companies are a waste of time at the weekend.”
She sighed heavily. “I think you might be right. Go on, then. I’ll lock the car up and join you in a tick.”
He smiled and left the car. Adrenaline searing his veins, he jumped into the driver’s seat and watched as she locked up her vehicle and trotted to join him.
“Thanks for being an utter hero. Not sure what I would’ve done if you hadn’t come along. I hope the garage is still open.”
“It should be. We’ll soon find out. Buckle up.”
Harvey started the engine, and she rested her head back; he sensed the tension of the situation easing during the drive. He spotted the garage up ahead and took a sideways glance. Her eyes were closed. He drove straight past and indicated into the road opposite, yet she didn’t even stir. He slowed down and pulled into the next lay-by.
Nicola looked forward at her surroundings and then faced him. “I must have dropped off for a second. Where’s the garage?”
“It was closed. I thought I’d pull in and reassess our options.”
“Oh, what do you suggest?”
“Where do you live?”
“On the Bromyard Road in a small village you’ve probably never even heard of.”
“I can drive you home and see if your husband can come and collect it.”
She shook her head. “No, I don’t have a significant other at the moment. I’ve just gone through a painful separation with an ex-boyfriend.”
“Oh no, sorry to hear that. Did he cheat on you?”
She swallowed and faced him. “Yes, just like every other man I’ve ever been out with. He said it wasn’t working between us. I followed him one night, and he met up with his tart. I struck out at both of them. I couldn’t help myself.”
He cocked an eyebrow. She has a temper. I need to be wary here. “I don’t blame you. I probably would have done the same.”
She glanced at the clock. “Shit! It’s my dad’s birthday. I’m due at his place in an hour or so. Would it be an imposition for you to drop me off at home? I’ll have to worry about the car another time. I need to get to my parents’ house, he’s having a celebratory dinner for the family.”
Aware that he didn’t have much time, he decided it was now or never to make a play for her. His erection was already straining his zip. “Of course.” He ran a hand up her leg. “Do you have time for a bit of fun first?”
“What? No. Get your fucking hands off me.”
Seeing her refusal as the ultimate challenge, he upped his game. His fist came out of nowhere and knocked her out. His gaze roamed her body for a second or two, thoughts of what he was about to do playing like a movie in his mind. After a moment’s pause, he unzipped his trousers and tore at the layers of her clothes, gasping and leering when he scooped her pert, rounded breasts out of her bra. Not caring where they were, he took advantage of her. Checking around him, to make sure no other cars were approaching, he lifted her out of the passenger seat and bundled her into the boot of the car. He bound her mouth with a piece of rag and tied her ankles and wrists together, then slammed down the lid.
He upped the music, satisfied by his latest acquisition. One more girl and the deal could be made. He tried calling his brother on his way home. Daniel was still refusing to answer his calls. Damn! I need you, bro, don’t frigging let me down now, not at this late stage in the game. There were no other options left open to him, he would have to take her back to his place. Keep her there for now, until he and his brother were back on speaking terms, whenever that was likely to be.
When he arrived, he backed the car tight up to his garage door. He waited a few minutes to make sure none of his nosey neighbours were alerted to him being home, then he hauled Nicola’s body into the house. He took her upstairs to the spare room and threw her on the bed. She was still out cold.
His mobile rang. He left the bedroom to answer it. “Daniel, hi.”
“Don’t fucking hi me, you bloody tosser. Have you seen the news? Your face is plastered all over it. You need to go to ground and quickly.”
“Umm… shit! I can’t.”
“What? Why?”
“I’ve picked up another girl. I’ve been trying to call you all day. You ignored my calls so—”
“So? What, you’re saying I’m the reason you’ve bloody kidnapped another girl? Sod you,
bro. I told you, I’ve had enough of this shit. This is your problem now, I want nothing more to do with it, or you.”
“Jesus, don’t say that. What about the deal?”
“What about it? You think Mum and Dad are going to be pleased seeing you on TV, being linked with these crimes? You’re deluded, man. Get a frigging life for fuck’s sake.”
“You’re the only one who can fly the plane. I need you.”
“Screw you. Get another mug to fly you. I’m done. D-O-N-E. Got that?” Daniel ended the call, leaving him dumbstruck and angry.
He paced the landing, his thoughts wildly spinning off in different directions. He had a few days left to make the drop and he couldn’t handle the girls alone, he needed an accomplice. No, what he needed was to get his brother back on board.
Harvey returned to the bedroom. It was imperative he got out of there, before one of the neighbours rang the police. Maybe they’d already done that and the police were en route to his place. Shit! Get a move on.
He hoisted Nicola onto his shoulder and left the house. He popped the boot open and slung the woman into it. Then, he tore out of his drive and got on the road. Where shall I go?
He stumbled across the answer quickly. He checked his petrol gauge and put his foot down, deciding there was only one option left open to him. He would drive the girl to the cottage in Shropshire, not ideal—it would take him a good hour to get there, but it was the only solution he could come up with at such short notice.
11
Sara, Carla and Craig were all excited to see the appeal go out, and they were surprised when the phones started ringing almost instantly with possible names. There was a mixture of names, but three people gave them the same one.
“Harvey Burrows keeps cropping up,” Carla noticed. She wrote it on the whiteboard and circled it a few times.
“Wait! That’s similar to one of the names on the limo list,” Craig pointed out.
“Shit! You’re right.” Sara snatched the list off Will’s desk, and her gaze was immediately drawn to Henry Barrows. She groaned, “It’s too much of a coincidence, right? I should have made the connection sooner, Barrows Associates.”
