The Devil To Pay (Hennessey.)

by Marnie Perry

  Hennessey was so close to her that Adela could hear the tinny, disembodied voice at the other end of the phone but could not make out what was being said, but she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end and her skin turned clammy as Hennessey raised his eyebrows and looked at her speculatively. Then he smiled a mocking almost snide smile, ‘really? Now that is interesting. Oh you can be sure I’ll ask her that question, Mr. Glissando.’

  She did look up now her expression fearful but curious. He smiled at her as he listened to Glissando then raised his eyebrows said, ‘now that’s even more interesting, but what about the deal, what about my remaining four million bucks.’

  He smiled again; he seemed amused as well as intrigued. ‘Well, this is not what we agreed but it would prevent me from going against my principles.’ he paused and looked hard at Adela a frown between his eyes as if contemplating something then to Glissando he said, ‘I’ll have to think about it, see what transpires in the next few hours. I’ll call you back later. But either way I’ll see you tomorrow evening. But, Glissando, don’t even think about double crossing me.’ He listened again then laughed and switched off the phone then very slowly raised his eyes to Adela’s white, apprehensive and frightened face. He said contritely, ‘sorry about the hair pulling, but Glissando insisted on proof that you were actually here with me and he is paying me an awful lot of money to satisfy his little quirks.’

  She remained silent and he leaned back in his seat and studied her, an inscrutable expression on his face. ‘Glissando did tell me something interesting though,’ he leaned forward, put both elbows on his knees and rested his chin on his fists, ‘he told me that Desi’s real name is Olivia.’

  She cursed herself now for using that name, she swallowed hard and her voice came out small and uncertain, ‘so, why is that interesting?’

  ‘In itself it’s not, but you said yourself that Desi was smart and savvy, why would she use a name known to Glissando?’

  Adela tried a shrug but it was half -hearted at best, ‘there are lots of Olivia’s in the world.’

  ‘Yes there are, but none on the run from a guy who has contacts in police departments all over the south, not to mention his friends in the FBI and other government departments, such as the airport police. Why would she risk it?’

  ‘But she didn’t catch a commercial plane did she? She took a private plane, so far less chance of being picked up.’

  He nodded as if she had voiced something he had not previously thought of then said, ‘yes, but she didn’t know she was going to be flying on a private plane bought and paid for by a wealthy, English tourist did she? She didn’t know when she had the passport made that she would meet a Good Samaritan did she? She didn’t know she would meet you did she?’

  Adela opened her mouth to correct herself then closed it again knowing there was no way she would convince him that Olivia Llewellyn was the name Desi had used in her fake passport. Hennessey was watching her intently and could see her mind working overtime trying to think of another plausible excuse. She obviously couldn’t because she remained silent. His tone was mild but his eyes were the exact opposite, ‘you lied to me, Miss. Faraday.’ When she did not attempt to deny it he went on, ‘I have to admit you’re getting better at the lying thing, I almost fell for it.

  Her head snapped up and he smiled at her confusion, 'you were right, Miss. Faraday, Desi is smart, much too smart to use a name that would in any way associate her with her past life…and Glissando. So now we have to start all over again don’t we?’ The question was rhetorical obviously.

  ‘Does it mater what name she used? Knowing that won’t help you to find her; we both agreed she won’t keep that passport or that name.’

  He had to admire her dogmatism and her courage. He grinned, ‘I’ve tracked people with less, far less information. But “the devil is in the details,” Miss. Faraday.

  Glissando’s two enforcers, for want of a better word, tracked you down didn’t they? With no name, no description, no address. And believe me, Miss. Faraday I’m a lot smarter than they are and have some excellent resources of my own. I’ll find Desi one way or the other, but knowing the name she originally travelled under will save me some time. And time is running out for her, and for you.’

  She kept his gaze with great difficulty but could think of no reply to this. She thought again of taking him up on his offer of not tracking down Olivia, to leave her alone. But she knew that wouldn’t work, he had made an agreement with someone and this was a matter of principle, a thing he seemed to take such pride over. And also he would never be trusted in his profession ever again; what’s more Glissando might even come after him.

  She said, ‘so much for not killing innocent people.’

  He leaned back in surprise, ‘there’s always an exception to every rule.’

  She lowered her eyes not able to look at him any longer. He said, ‘but anyway, my plans have changed.’ She looked up again and he saw a small flame of hope spring into her eyes and he hated himself and Glissando for having to be the one to extinguish it, ‘yes, Mr. Glissando wanted me to bring you to him; he would like to meet you in person. He would like to know how much Desi told you, and going by the fact that she gave you her real name that’s quite a lot. Things that Glissando needs to know maybe and that you may have imparted to others.’

  She stared at him wide eyed and if it was possible she paled still further and she bowed her head until he thought she would fall from her chair in a faint, but to her credit she rallied. He wanted to go to her and comfort her and this alien emotion infuriated him and made him angry.

  He watched her as she took a deep breath and pulled herself together then he stood up and gripped the arms of her chair with both hands bringing his face to within an inch of hers and said chillingly, ‘I don’t appreciate being lied too, Miss. Faraday, it causes me to think that the liar is trying to make a fool of me,’ she looked back at him her eyes full of apprehension, ‘but for the sake of our past relationship I’m going to overlook it this once, but only this once, from now on if you lie to me again,’ he paused for effect, ‘well let’s just say you’ll be a lot more than sorry. If necessary I will hand you over to Glissando and let him extract the information himself. But if you’re sensible and tell me what I want to know I’ll make it easy for you. No more worry, no more discomfort, no more pain. But one way or the other I will get the truth out of you, and this time I won’t let my compassion or your tears get in my way.’ Adela felt the full meaning of his words and shuddered. Hennessey felt it, smiled a cruel smile and finished, ‘full stop.’

  He stayed where he was for a long moment looking deeply into her wide, frightened eyes and his own eyes conveyed his sincerity. He stood upright and said more mildly. ‘but that’s for later.’

  He picked up his bag from the table grabbed her arm hauled her to her feet and dragged her towards the bedroom.

  CHAPTER 32.

  With the light came the clues Detective Leyton was hoping for. The crime scene techs had found tyre tracks in the woods where Leyton thought he had heard the sound of a vehicle being started and driven away. They had deduced that the tracks had come from a truck or similar vehicle. They had also discovered footprints around the tyre tracks and the surrounding area leading from the direction of Adela’s cabin, they were either the prints of a very large lady or a man's.

  Leyton was pleased that his theory seemed to have been vindicated, but he was also angry with Sullivan who remained sceptical. He had been just returned from the hospital where he informed Leyton that Jones was awake and none the worse for his injuries, but that he hadn’t seen his assailant. Whoever it was had been had been very stealthy because he hadn’t heard a thing only felt an electric shock course through his body which had knocked him off his feet. He knew he had been tasered because he had experienced it before in the police academy; he hadn’t much cared for it then either. Then whoever had attacked him had knocked him out somehow and that was the last he could re
member until he woke up in the ambulance.

  He told Sullivan that he was very sorry for not being more vigilante and Sullivan had told him not to worry, that it happened to the very best of them, while secretly calling him a blind, deaf idiot.

  Leyton digested this information, which was really no information at all and said, ‘so, Hennessey kidnapped Miss. Faraday and brought her here to where his truck was waiting that much is clear.’

  Sullivan said, ‘is it?’

  Leyton looked at his partner curiously, 'isn’t it?’

  Sullivan shrugged, ‘she might have gone willingly.’

  Leyton was aghast, ‘all right, if she went with him willingly as you say, why are there only one set of footprints, and they a man's?’

  ‘Maybe she’s light of foot.’

  Leyton blew out a frustrated breath, ‘you’re kidding, right?’

  Sullivan shrugged again ‘it could be a ruse, to throw us off track, make us think he has kidnapped her. He may have carried her to fool us into thinking what you are thinking.’

  Leyton, getting angry now said, ‘you’re determined to think the worst of her aren’t you?’

  ‘I see the worst in everyone, that’s the nature of the job.’

  ‘Don’t include me in that assessment, Sullivan; it’s not the nature of the job but in your nature to see the worst in women.’

  Sullivan rounded on him and said angrily, ‘don’t start that bullshit, Leyton.’

  ‘Then stop being such a sexist asshole.’

  Sullivan looked furious enough to hit his partner who looked ready for it. They faced off until Sullivan’s shoulders suddenly slumped and he said, ‘this is getting us nowhere.’

  Leyton stood a moment trying to calm himself then let out a breath and said, ‘you’re right. Let’s get this case solved, bring Hennessey in, save the woman and be heroes, huh?’

  Sullivan laughed and Leyton joined in then said, ‘all right, apart from her being light footed and being carried willingly why else would there be only one set of prints?’

  Sullivan looking down at the prints said, ‘because she was unconscious and he had to carry her.’ Leyton shivered but had to smile at his partner’s petulant tone, ‘don’t forget what we’ve since discovered, that he killed Blakemore only a few days after Miss. Faraday arrived in the states.’

  Leyton frowned, ‘so? That means nothing; thousand of people arrived in the country on that day, coincidences happen.’

  ‘But not all of them started dating a hitman.’ Leyton looked at him in frustration and Sullivan added, ‘I don’t like coincidences, never did, never will. How do we know that Hennessey didn’t take a trip to li’l ole England and meet her there? He could have swept her off her feet and persuaded her to join him here. He says, “Come with me to the land of guns and bloodshed and join me in my violent and murderous lifestyle and she hears, “Come with me to a faraway, romantic country and join me in lots of excitement and plenty of sex.”

  Leyton looked at his partner as if he was quite mad then shook his head, ‘no, Pat, she’s not like that, I…

  He was cut off, ‘how do you know, Ellis? You’ve only known her a few hours; you don’t know what goes on in her mind. She’s almost thirty and single, never been out of her own country, never even been on an airplane before. You saw those books in her cabin, all crime novels featuring tough romantic heroes. She meets a man who is the epitome of romanticism and leaves her boring, staid, homey life in dull old England for a life of danger and excitement.'

  Leyton sneered, ‘so she’s what? Bonnie to his Clyde?’

  Sullivan chuckled, ‘it’s happened before and will again. Good looking, charming, exciting guy lavishes his attentions on a plain, dull, lonely, bored woman who’s past the first flush of youth, who sees criminals as romantic heroes. She’s bound to be bowled over, he walks in the door and her common sense flies out the window. You know that’s how it works Ellis; you’ve seen it for yourself.’

  Leyton wasn’t sure which was more surprising, that his partner was right or that he thought Adela Faraday was plain and dull. He looked away and Sullivan said more gently, ‘Ellis, I’m not saying I’m right, I’m more than likely as wrong as it’s possible to be about her. She may be as innocent as a new born baby, but then she might not. At the very most she’s his partner in crime at the very least she’s an accessory after the fact.’

  Leyton narrowed his eyes and said, ‘at the very least she’s a naïve, unworldly, trusting woman who fell for the wrong guy, at the very most she’s been stupid enough to have gotten caught up in something she can’t get out of.’

  His partner sighed in frustration, ‘I’m just saying keep an open mind where this woman is concerned is all.’

  ‘As long as you take your own advice, Patrick.’

  Sullivan laughed but was quickly serious as he said, ‘we have to inform the FBI about this, we have to tell them that the man they’re looking at for multiple murders may have kidnapped a woman.’

  Leyton looked around then down at the prints before looking back at Sullivan, ‘do me a favour though, Pat, let’s just keep your theory about her being his accomplice to ourselves, okay? If she is innocent, which I truly believe, we don’t want her getting caught in the crossfire do we?’

  Sullivan stared at his partner for a moment then said, ‘buddy, she’s already in the crossfire. But those feebs are smart guys; let them work out their own theories.’

  They both laughed again and went to report their findings to the FBI.

  *********

  In the small, darkened, dirty bedroom Hennessey could feel the trembling of Adela’s body through the arm he gripped tightly. He saw her staring as though mesmerised at the grimy and stained sleeping bag he had intended to use himself. He knew what she was thinking and although he hated himself for scaring her like this at the same time this was how he wanted her, or rather needed her, scared and defeated and willing to tell him anything and everything as the price for her life. He was running out of time and needed her cooperation in whatever form that cooperation took. He said, ‘do you need the bathroom again?’

  She looked sharply at him then quickly away shaking her head. He said, ‘sure?’

  This time she didn’t respond her gaze was once again focused on the sleeping bag.

  He drew her towards it and felt her tense and the trembling increased. He said, ‘sit down please.’

  She didn’t but stood perfectly still. He pushed her, though not roughly, down onto the sleeping bag.

  She felt anger again and somewhat rashly said, ‘are you going to add rape to your legion of crimes?’

  He took another step towards her so that she leaned back against the wall. He grabbed her arm yanking her forward and held her eyes with his angry ones. Then suddenly the anger vanished and he smiled and his eyes flickered dangerously, ‘how do you know that rape isn’t already among my legion of crimes?’

  She gulped in her throat and paled but held his gaze.

  He stood looking down at her, into her big green eyes wide with apprehension and resignation, yet there was something else there too, a look of defiance. It was a strange combination, as though she knew she couldn’t fight him but she’d have a damn good try.

  Once more his appreciation of her courage and his admiration of her indomitable spirit overcame him, but it was far too late and there was too much at stake for him to back down now, to let his emotions get the better of his judgement.

  To conceal his feelings he said sharply, ‘you’ve had a long day and a lot has happened to you, you’re too tired for more interrogation right now, you need time out. So I’m going to give you that time to reflect and think about what you’re going to tell me when I ask my questions later.’

  The relief that flooded her face that he hadn’t brought her in here to rape her caused a wave of tenderness and shame to overcome him and he lowered his eyes for a moment, when he raised them again they were flint hard as he said menacingly, ‘and maybe a few hours alo
ne in here will help your memory and your good judgement.

  He reached into the bag and took out the duct tape she sat motionless as he wound the tape around her ankles then he leaned her forward checking the tape on her wrists. Seemingly satisfied he stood up and once more reached into the bag and brought out a bottle of water and a straw which he put on the floor next to her then inserted the straw into the bottle saying, ‘it’ll be awkward perhaps but you’ll manage, just don’t knock the bottle over and don’t drink too much it’ll be even more awkward to get to the bathroom, just take small sips when you get thirsty and you’ll be okay.’

  He turned to go then turned back, ‘if you do absolutely have to go just call out and I’ll hear you. Which reminds me, I’m not going to gag you because no one but me will hear you if you scream or yell, and believe me I will hear everything, I’m a very light sleeper, that’s something else I learned in the marines.’ He didn’t say he had learned aged seven to wake up at the smallest sound in case it was his uncle come to punish him for some misdemeanour, imagined or real. ‘And I won’t be happy, I need to sleep.’ He concluded.

  When she said nothing only stared back at him he looked at his watch, ‘it’s 9.20 and I need to call Glissando back with my decision at 2.30, I’ll come for you at 1.30 that should give you plenty of time to think and to reflect on your situation and how you want this to go, easy or very, very hard. If you make your decision quickly you might get some much needed rest. Oh and one other thing, I’m going to need your bank account numbers, all of them, as I said it seems a shame to waste all that money.'

  She looked at him for a moment and for once he could not read her expression, but he knew she was thinking that he had added theft to his legion of crimes as she had so succinctly put it. She did not reply to his last question but said quietly, ‘I won’t be able to think nor to rest like this, it’s so uncomfortable, can’t you at least tie my hands in front of me? My shoulders are really hurting being tied up so long.’