A few minutes later, a doctor came in. “Mrs Thompson?”
“Yes.”
“Could I have a word, please?”
They went into the corridor, and the doctor explained that George had lost a lot of blood but it was the head injury they were really concerned about.
“He’s already had surgery to remove the bullet. He was fortunate that it just missed his left kidney. He will recover from that, he’s a lucky man really. When his head hit the ground, with no control, it took a lot of impact. It could have killed him outright. We won’t know how much damage there is until he wakes up.”
“How long will that take?”
“We don’t know. It’s a matter of waiting. It could take days. We can’t say. The best thing is for you to talk to him, both you and your son.”
“What about?”
“Anything that comes into your mind, it doesn’t matter what.”
Netta thought back to when they’d done the same thing with Harry, and nodded. “Yes, I’ll do that. Thank you, Doctor.”
DI Cooke and his ever-faithful sergeant came up the corridor. He and the doctor nodded to each other and Dan came up to Netta.
“Mrs Thompson, Harry. How is George?”
“Well, the doctor just told us that the bullet wound is going to be okay. They are worried about his head injury and say it’s a matter of waiting.”
Dan nodded. “Let’s hope he will be okay. I’m afraid I have some further bad news for you. I had to come and tell you myself.”
“What else could there be?” Her hands flew towards him. “Oh no, not about Rowena, is it? Is she hurt? Is she dead? Where is she?”
He put his hand out and gripped hers. “No, it’s not about Rowena. I’m sorry to say we don’t as yet know where she is. It’s about your home. I’m afraid it was set on fire last night an hour or so after you left.”
Netta thought she would fall over. “Someone set our house on fire? We could have died.” She reached for Harry’s hand.
“That was the intention, I believe.”
“Oh, Mr Cooke! You saved our lives! I can’t thank you enough! Oh Harry, how lucky we are! All these terrible things happening to our family! We’ve lost everything now but we’re still alive and hopefully your dad will recover and, God willing, we’ll get our Rowena back.”
“I certainly hope you will. We have leads now, thanks to you and Harry here. Now, I must tell you that we’ve put out a news bulletin, giving the impression that the three of you have died. We want the criminals to believe that, so we have arranged for you to go to a safe place until this is over.”
“Oh, but I can’t leave George!”
“Not right away, we’ll give you time to spend with him. As soon as the doctors say it’s safe to move him, he will go too, either to another hospital or, if he can cope, to the safe house with you. You need to understand we are dealing with a very dangerous man, who seems to have eyes and ears everywhere. The sooner we can get you three out of harm’s way, the freer we will be to carry on our investigations without having to worry about your safety.”
Netta could see the sense of what the detective-inspector was telling her. She had no idea what had happened to Rowena but she had to do whatever it took to keep the rest of her family safe.
“Yes. Yes, I see. We will do whatever you say. Can we go in to my husband now?”
“Of course. He will be guarded all the time while he is here and my officers have been instructed to inform me as soon as George comes round and is able to speak.”
Netta took his hand again. “Thank you. Thank you for everything you are doing for us. I hope you catch that wicked man who is causing so much trouble.”
“We’ll get him, Mrs Thompson. He has got away with numerous crimes over many years. He won’t get away with this one.”
Chapter 34
Rowena heard the shout and the scream from next door and sat up straight. What could be happening? Was someone being hurt? Would she be next? Then she heard footsteps. Were they coming towards her? She held her breath and listened but her door didn’t open. Someone walked past, she knew, but they didn’t stop at her door. She didn’t know whether to be glad or sorry. She was terribly bored and wished something would happen.
Okay, so the food was nice and they hadn’t hurt her at all. Everything she needed to be reasonably comfortable, even puzzle books containing word searches and crosswords was provided although she couldn’t concentrate on reading and there was a limit to how many word searches one could tolerate. She missed her phone with the music she’d always listened to and had even scratched ‘Row T’ on the wall with her knife before they took away her dinner things.
She’d tried talking to the woman again but all she got was a shake of the head. For the life of her, Rowena couldn’t think what was going on. They couldn’t be holding her for ransom because Dad and Mum never had any money. And what about the other kids that had been taken before her? Where were they? Why wasn’t she with them? Was it only yesterday morning she’d been taken? Time was going so slowly, she’d swear her watch was going backwards.
Rowena nearly drove herself mad, trying to think of a solution, a way to get help. But every time she drew a blank. Why didn’t they rescue her? She flung herself down on the bed in disgust.
**********
In the room next to Rowena, Stephanie sat on the single chair with nothing to do. There were no books and the bed was hard and uninviting. She knew this was an interval and soon she’d have to face Lucian again. She got up and paced the room. What could she do?
“Oh Alex,” she whispered, “I’m so sorry. I hope you know how much I love you and will always love you. I’m going to die. I know he won’t let me live. I’m not worried about dying, it will be better than to be at his mercy for the rest of my life. But I’m afraid of what he’ll do to me though before he kills me, how much pain he’ll give me and even how he will do it. Because I’m sure it won’t be quick. He’ll have to have his pound of flesh, his revenge. and his money’s worth out of me, fifteen years’ worth. But it’ll be worth it because I’ve had a wonderful ten years with you, my darling. You showed me what true love really is and I’m grateful. I love you, Alex, I love you.”
She sat down again and rocked, whispering ‘I love you Alex, I love you Alex,’ over and over until she was almost in a trance.
So much so, that she didn’t hear the door open, didn’t know anyone was there, until she once again felt his hands in her hair, tugging her head upright. She looked at him, wild-eyed and stopped rocking. She flung out her arms, making him let her hair go.
He laughed. “That’s my girl.”
“I’m not your girl!” she spat. “I’m done with being your girl – I’d rather die!”
“Oh, that can be arranged! But I’d like to give you a chance first. Get up!”
She stood and braced herself, ready for his fist. But it never came. Instead, she was shown the open door. The man she knew as Jake came in. Lucian said, “Follow me, and don’t try any funny stuff, or I’ll let Jake enjoy himself.”
He went out and she followed with Jake behind her. They carried on beyond the bathroom. She marvelled at how long the corridor was, or was it a hallway? She couldn’t guess. But eventually, they came to another door and Lucian opened it and they went in. Stephanie looked around in amazement at the large room, comfortably furnished, with a bright fire burning in the grate. It was lit by a chandelier that looked old and not particularly attractive. A modern standard lamp stood in a corner. The big picture windows looked out onto large, rather overgrown garden which was more like a field than a garden. Although the chairs looked comfortable, they didn’t match and she noticed that the walls had no adornments, except for one picture that looked like a group of school boys, posing for the camera.
Lucian saw her looking at the picture. “Ah yes. It seemed a shame to take it down, it’s been here so long, part of the place, you might say.” He indicated the room in a large arm sweep. “Welcome
to our temporary home. We didn’t have much time, so we put in what we could. I’m sure the charity shops were grateful for the custom, especially as they didn’t have to deliver. Do you like the garden? This was a school once, out there is the school field. I hope you don’t get hay-fever, although it’s too early in the year for that, so no need to worry.”
If she only had hay-fever to worry about in the future, that would be wonderful. She wasn’t at all sure she’d still be alive in hay-fever season.
“Do sit down, my dear. I have another guest I want you to meet. Would you care for a drink while we wait? No?”
He clicked his fingers and a woman appeared. “My usual, please, Flora.” She went out and came back a few minutes later with a glass of whiskey.
Stephanie thought that this was the woman who brought her food. She looked around twenty five, attractive in a quiet sort of way and looked familiar but Stephanie couldn’t place her. The woman didn’t look at her. Stephanie thought that it was likely she was being allowed to see their faces because she was going to die anyway and wouldn’t be able to identify them. She sat in a dark purple armchair, her hands in her lap, waiting to see what was going to happen next.
*****
Rowena woke with a jump when someone shook her.
“Get up! You’re wanted.” She opened her eyes, her heart beating rapidly from the shock of being woken and looked into the eyes of a man. He had a bulbous nose and a scar running down his right cheek, from his eyebrow to his chin. He was not an attractive fellow.
She got up hurriedly in case he laid his hands on her again and went towards the door. He put his finger in her back and propelled her along the long corridor. While she walked, her mind puzzled about why she was now being confronted by a man who no longer wore a balaclava but found she had absolutely no idea. She was pushed into a big room and the door shut behind her. She stood by it, wondering what this was about.
“Ah, here she is! Come on in, my dear. Come and join us.”
Rowena moved forward, eyeing the man who had spoken. Dressed all in black, with black hair and dark eyes, he reminded her of the devil. She’d never believed in the tales and pictures of the devil, or Satan, all red with horns and a tail, but had always thought of him like this, all in black, suave and sophisticated. When he smiled, he was even more so. Even though he had perfect, white teeth, reminding her of a picture she’d seen of Donny Osmond, he was the epitome of the devil. That smile worried her; it was like a snake ready to pounce but wanting to lull his potential victim into a false sense of security before making his strike. If anything, she was even more afraid of this man that she was of Scarface, although the burly man was obviously a vicious bully. No one needed to tell her that she was face to face with the man behind everything and Scarface was just one of his minions.
“Rowena, we haven’t met. But I’m your Uncle Luke.”
Rowena gasped, “My uncle? How can you be?”
“Oh, I am indeed. I’m your father’s brother.”
“I didn’t know he had a brother. You’re lying.”
The Devil man laughed. “Oh, I like this girl! She’s much braver than her father. Must get it from her mother.”
“He’s your step-uncle,” said Stephanie, quietly.
“Yes, that’s right. Your father and I are step-brothers. This is your step-aunt, Sarah, although you might know her as Stephanie of Wye View Restaurant.”
For the first time, Rowena looked at Stephanie. The woman kept looking down at her lap so Rowena couldn’t see her face properly.
“You’re Lucy’s friend?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve heard her talk about you. But, how can you be his – wife?”
“Long story,” said Lucian, getting up and walking over to Stephanie and putting his arm across her shoulders. Rowena saw the woman stiffen, then she noticed the bruised face. Her eyes narrowed. Was it this woman she’d heard scream? Rowena realised that Stephanie was a prisoner, like she was. What was this all about?
“I went to see your dad yesterday, Rowena. I met your mother and brother. A good looking woman and a fine lad.”
Rowena didn’t answer. He sat on the settee beside her and she flinched and tried to edge away. He ran his fingers through her hair, or tried to but it was knotty. He tutted and clicked his fingers. The door opened silently and a woman came in. Rowena wondered how on earth she would have known he wanted her. Did she stand on the other side of the door with her ear glued to it so she wouldn’t miss the summons?
“I need a hairbrush, Flora.”
While the minutes ticked by in silence as the three waited for her to return. Rowena looked at the top of Stephanie’s bowed head and realised that darker roots were showing in the woman’s blonde hair. The woman called Flora came back and handed a hairbrush to her boss, then hurried out.
Rowena stiffened again when Lucian started to brush her hair. Obviously, it was something he’d done often, for he brushed expertly and gently. Rowena had to admit that she rather liked it and it relaxed her. Eventually, he put the brush down and ran his fingers through her long tresses.
“Ah, that’s much better. Like silk, I knew it would be. Did you like that, Rowena?”
Nodding her head, because she felt it was expected, she was relieved when he got up and crossed the room to sit on the arm of Stephanie’s chair.
“Sally used to have long hair like yours, didn’t you, Sally, my dear? Long, beautiful and dark as night. She’s not a natural blonde, like you, Rowena. I like blondes, but have always adored girls with black hair. ‘Gentlemen prefer blondes’, they say!” He laughed. “But of course, I’m not a gentleman, am I, Sally?”
He put his finger under Stephanie’s chin when he spoke and tipped her head up so she had to look at him. Rowena suddenly felt she’d been brought in to witness something horrible. She wished she were back in her cell.
“I see your dark is showing through your disguise. I will have my mysterious brunette wife back.” Again, the clicked fingers and this time, two men appeared and another woman followed, not Flora. The two men, one of which was Scarface, picked Stephanie up and placed her on a kitchen-type chair and put a strap around her body so she couldn’t move. Rowena’s heart was in her mouth. What were they going to do? She didn’t want to watch.
The woman and one of the men had scissors and, in spite of Stephanie trying to move away, they chopped at her hair, while Rowena cried “No, don’t, don’t do that!”
She tried to run over to her, but Scarface held her back and she was forced to watch while they hacked Stephanie’s hair until all the blonde had gone and more. She was bald in places and what was left of her hair stuck up in black tufts. When they were done, the woman and one of the men left and Scarface untied Stephanie and man-handled her back to the chair she’d been in before, where she sat, defiant, although tears ran down her cheeks.
Rowena got up and put her arms around Stephanie, actually surprised that The Devil let her. She felt like a bird under her arm and the girl wondered how she didn’t break under the rough treatment she’d obviously had.
Without thinking, she glared at Lucian. “You, you devil! What did you do that for? You’re nothing but a bully! You’re nothing like my dad – he’s kind and gentle.”
Lucian laughed heartily. “That’s my girl! You’ve got spunk! I’ve never heard anyone talk to me like that before. I rather like it.”
“I’m not your girl!”
“Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong, my dear Rowena. You are mine, because I’m now all the family you have left.”
Chapter 35
“Wha – what do you mean?” stammered Rowena, wide-eyed.
“I mean, my dear niece, that your father, mother and brother are all dead.”
“Dead?” Rowena’s voice rose to a high note. “How can they be dead? What have you done, you wicked man?”
“I’ve done nothing. Your father got himself shot somehow and your house burst into flames in the middle of the night. Must
have been an electrical fault or something.”
“What? Our house was safe, the electricity and everything was checked before we moved in. It was you, wasn’t it – or your ruffians, who did it. How could you?”
Heedless of danger, Rowena ran across the room and beat her fists against his chest. He caught them and held them fast so she couldn’t move and had to look at him. All the fight went out of her and she slumped. He let go of her one wrist and twisted the other so she was forced to sit down. There she sat and cried and it was Stephanie who got up and comforted her this time.
Lucian looked at them in disgust but left them and went to sit the other side of the room. He clicked his fingers and the woman called Flora came in with another drink for him. Rowena briefly wondered how she knew he wanted a drink but was too busy trying to deal with the knowledge that her family was all gone, and dealing with the pain in her heart.
**********
“Sir, the team who went out to the car fire did a thorough search of the area. They found this.”
Grant held out a plastic bag which held a mobile phone.
“When they found it, it still had charge, so it hadn’t been there all that long.”
“Send it down to Technology and get them to do their stuff. I want to know what’s on it.”
Grant went off with the phone.
“Can you find me a coffee, please, Julie? I need some caffeine to help me think.”
“Sir.”
Before Julie left, the phone rang.
“Cooke.” Dan listened for a moment “Thanks, we’ll be there right away.”
“Forget the coffee, Julie. We need to get to the hospital, George has woken up. Get Grant and meet me there, I’m going right now.”
It only took a few minutes to get from the police station to the hospital, with Dan tapping his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel waiting for the traffic lights. He ran along the corridors to ICU until he came to the door where two policemen were sitting outside. They stood up as he reached them and one opened the door for him. He thanked them quickly as he passed through and donned a white gown before going through the second door into George’s room. Netta and Harry sat together, side by side, next to the bed. Dan went round the other side. George was indeed awake. He wasn’t exactly lively and raring to go but he did have his eyes open.
Fear Has Long Fingers Page 17
