The Devil To Pay (Hennessey.)

by Marnie Perry

  Lando didn’t answer and Hennessey’s eyes shot a challenge as he said, ‘or do you?’

  ‘You have a knack of turning the tables, Hennessey, of avoiding uncomfortable questions.’

  ‘So do you, Mr. Lando. You in fact go one better and avoid life.’

  Lando’s eyes widened and Hennessey said, ‘but I’m not going to answer your question, because whatever else I am, I am a gentleman and a gentleman never kisses and tells. So you’ll just have to wonder if she was intimate with a cold blooded killer. Or you could just ask her.’

  Lando flashed anger at him as if he was once again considering hitting him but then gave a derisive laugh, ‘gentleman, that’s a good one, Hennessey. You tell yourself that enough times and you may even start to believe it. But you’re right about one thing you are cold blooded, a cold blooded, vicious murderer, nothing more, nothing less.’

  Hennessey’s smile evaporated and it was his turn to clench his jaw and he raised his weapon close to Lando’s eyes. They stayed like this for a full thirty seconds until Hennessey once more grinned, ‘it seems we’re never gonna be friends, Mr. Lando, and as much as I enjoy these chats a lady needs rescuing, and I hate to keep a lady waiting, don’t you.’

  He lowered his weapon and pulled back onto the road, but couldn’t help adding mischievously, ‘but just in case you’re interested, some advice. Miss. Faraday is a lady in every sense of the word, so maybe when you get another house, make it a bit brighter, add a few home comforts,’ he looked Lando up and down, ‘and maybe get yourself tidied up a bit, you’re aren’t a bad looking guy, you could make yourself worthy of her if you made the effort.’

  Lando’s fist was clenched so tight that his fingers dug into his palm causing it to bleed but with a huge effort he managed not to rise to Hennessey’s jibes, in fact he ignored him as though he wasn’t there so didn’t see that man’s grin.

  They travelled in silence until they reached a quite, suburban road. Hennessey slowed down and crawled down the road until they came to a very narrow, very dark cul- du- sac which was really nothing but a dirt track with trees on either side.

  Hennessey stopped the car and killed the lights. Lando looked at him questioningly saying, ‘what are we doing here, Hennessey?’

  ‘I thought we were rescuing…the woman.’

  He never stops does he, thought Lando. He looked around, ‘there’s nothing here.’

  Hennessey smiled, ‘you really must learn to trust me, Mr. Lando.’

  Lando’s expression told Hennessey more clearly than any amount of words what he thought of that remark. Hennessey chuckled and pointed over Lando’s shoulder, ‘Glissando’s house is through those trees. It’s well hidden and heavily guarded, I’m talking, dogs, guards, lights, alarms and an electrified fence, you name it, he has it.’

  Lando said, ‘you been here?’

  ‘No, never, I always visited Glissando at his home in Birmingham.'

  ‘Then how do you know about his security measures?’

  Hennessey shrugged, ‘I know Glissando and if I were him I would have those things too. Besides he has all those things at his house in Birmingham.'

  Lando reached behind him and retrieved his rifle then put his hand on the door handle but Hennessey’s hand on his arm stayed him. At the expression on Lando’s face Hennessey immediately withdrew his hand. He said, ‘stick with me until we’re over the fence and past the dogs. I’ve done this before; I can get us safely in, okay?’

  Lando looked about to argue then thought better of it. There was a woman in there helpless and scared and this man could get them in. He nodded and once again turned to open the passenger door when Hennessey said, ‘wait.’ He reached behind his back and brought out another gun which he handed to Lando saying, ‘you might need this.’

  Lando slowly reached out and took the Sig from him his eyes never leaving his looking for the trick, but there didn’t seem to be one because the next second the Sig was in his own hand. He immediately checked it was loaded then pointed it at Hennessey who only grinned that infuriating grin. He said, ‘at least wait until we’ve rescued the maiden.’

  He stepped out of the car followed by Hennessey. It wasn’t until much later that Lando recalled the last word of Hennessey’s jibe.

  CHAPTER 43.

  Dashiel Glissando stood in the basement of his home looking at his two prisoners. The Mississippi detective had been an added bonus, but it was the woman that stirred his blood and made his penis harden. The woman, at last. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern had been right about her not being beautiful, she wasn’t, but she had something. She stood there next to the cop white and trembling and scared out of her wits but oh so proud, almost regal with her long neck and straight shoulders. Imperious that was the word, like Cleopatra.’

  This was going to be such fun; he couldn’t wait to show her the delights of his fun chamber.

  It would be almost worth losing Desi for, no, not Desi, Viola, traitorous Viola. But all was not lost where she was concerned he might yet get her back, he was sure the woman knew something and very shortly she would tell him everything she did know.

  He said, ‘we meet at last, Miss. Faraday.’

  ‘Unfortunately, yes.’

  He smiled, he would let her have that one and maybe even a few more, because he admired courage, but his benevolence would not last forever.

  He said, ‘you’ve led my men a merry dance, Miss. Faraday, I find that quite admirable.’

  ‘I’m sorry I can’t return the compliment, Mr. Glissando.’

  Next to her Leyton shifted uncomfortably, as though trying to tell her not to push it. But he didn’t speak because the last time he had Glissando’s henchman had hit him so hard he thought he’d broken his jaw.

  Adela looked at him with concern then back at Glissando. She said, ‘your men don’t take much fooling, cowards never do. I should have thought that with your wealth and standing you could afford a better class of employee. Men that would hit a man whose hands aren’t handcuffed behind his back perhaps, or who don’t abduct defenceless women.’

  If anyone else had spoken to him in that way he would have had them killed, tortured first then killed, horribly. But for now he was amused by the woman. The man who had hit Leyton stepped forward as if to give Adela the same treatment but Glissando halted him by raising his hand, ‘no, Borachio, leave her, I like a bold spirited woman.’ He turned to Adela, ‘but be forewarned, Miss. Faraday, that could soon change.’

  Adela felt a chill down her back and her hands shook at his words, although she tried not to show her fear of this odious man. But she was nothing if not sensible so she stayed silent.

  Glissando smiled rather softly and said, ‘so tell me what happened to my faithful servants, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?’

  Leyton frowned obviously not understanding but the question was directed at Adela so she said, ‘they’re dead.’

  Not by a single flicker or movement or sign did Glissando react to the news of the deaths of his two employees but said, ‘really? And who did that dreadful deed might I ask, not you I’ll warrant.’

  She decided it was not a good idea to mention Hennessey or Lando so said, ‘I have no idea.’

  ‘Really. Me thinks it was the indomitable Jonas Lando no less who performed that despicable act.’

  She knew it was no good protesting, he would know everything. ‘They tried to kill him,’ Adela didn’t like the note of defensiveness in her tone but couldn’t help it.

  He said, ‘oh don’t worry, Mr. Lando will be taken care of err long.’

  Even though Olivia had told Adela about Glissando’s strangeness, particularly his penchant for Shakespeare she was still nonplussed at his odd way of speaking.

  He took a few steps towards Adela and said, ‘but know this, Miss. Faraday, that’s the last time you lie to me, understood.’

  She said nothing and he smiled that awful cold smile, ‘come; let me show you your new abode.’

  Neither Leyton nor A
dela moved so Borachio pushed Leyton roughly forward and Adela followed.

  As they walked down a short dark corridor Adela could hardly see and Leyton stumbled, finding it difficult to keep his balance in the dark with his hands cuffed behind him and Borachio pushing him forward impatiently.

  Soon it was almost completely dark until a door was opened and a little light came through into the corridor.

  Glissando went in first saying, ‘um, it’s been a while since I was down here, its odour is quite repugnant I fear, but you’ll become accustomed to it no doubt.’

  Adela was pushed into the room followed by Leyton who lost his footing and fell to the ground. Adela ran to help him up at the same time casting a look of contempt at Borachio who grinned.

  She helped Leyton up then looked around, and what she saw in that windowless, foul smelling room turned the blood in her veins to ice and caused the hair on the back of her neck to stand on end.

  There were hooks and chains attached to the walls and floors, and a metal table in the centre of the room again with chains attached and metal clamps at all four corners.

  There were assorted whips and canes and belts of all sizes and lengths and widths.

  There was a metal bed with no mattress but nasty spikes sticking through the frame.

  There was a metal chair with clamps at the head foot and back. Adela tried very hard not to notice the blood on most if not all of these instruments of torture.

  Leyton beside her whispered, ‘my God.’

  Adela echoed that.

  Glissando said, ‘I’ll leave you to talk and think, mostly think. Miss. Faraday, you think about what will happen to Leyton if you refuse to answer my questions. And, Detective Leyton, you think about what will happen to you if you can’t persuade her to cooperate.’

  Leyton said, ‘what is this, what is this all about, what do you want from her?’

  Glissando smiled, ‘she’ll tell you what you need to know. But it’s about treachery and interference and disobedience amongst other things. But detective, for your sake I hope you can persuade her to talk.’ He looked around, ‘or you’re going to find your stay here very uncomfortable indeed.’

  Neither Adela nor Leyton responded but looked at each other then once more around the room.

  Glissando almost laughed aloud at the look of horror and terror on their faces, but he controlled himself. He would save it for when he was alone thinking about these two and what would be going through their minds.

  He couldn’t help but add, ‘and you’ll watch, Miss. Faraday, you’ll witness his pain and hear his screams. Then he’ll take his turn in watching what I do to you.’

  Leyton looked angry and stepped towards Glissando. Adela put out a hand and stopped him from moving forward any further, although there was nothing he could do Adela appreciated the gesture. Leyton said, ‘I’ve met some sick, twisted bastards in my time, but you beat them hands down, pal.’

  Borachio raised his fist but once again Glissando held up his hand and said ‘no, Borachio. But I’ll remember your insolence later, Detective Leyton.’

  Then he turned and walked away followed by Borachio, the door shut and they heard a key being turned leaving them in the semi light in the torture chamber.

  When they’d gone Leyton and Adela turned to look at each other. Adela said, ‘I’m so sorry, Detective Leyton, that I dragged you into this.’

  Leyton frowned, ‘you didn’t drag me into anything, Miss. Faraday, I was just doing my job. If anyone is responsible it’s Hennessey.’

  Adela shook her head but not in denial of his words, ‘that man is responsible for so much violence and misery; he brings pain and suffering then moves on leaving death and destruction in his wake. I’m so sorry about Detective Sullivan.’

  He bowed his head and said softly, ‘yeah, me too. He was a pain in the ass sometimes, but he was a good cop, a good man, and a good friend.’

  Adela felt her eyes fill and looked away. But Leyton had seen and was grateful to her for her sympathy.

  She looked around all business now, ‘can you see anything I can use to free you from the handcuffs?’

  Leyton admired her for her practical thinking. He said, ‘what about that metal bar over by the bed.’

  She looked not really wanting to go near the bed, or anything else in here if truth be told, but she walked over to it and bent down to pick up the bar but instantly recoiled.

  Leyton said, ‘what is it?’

  Without looking at him she said, ‘there’s…there’s blood on it.’

  ‘Sorry. Can you see anything else?’

  She shook her head, ‘no, it’s all right, I can’t afford to be squeamish.’ She picked up the bar as though it was radioactive and walked back to Leyton.

  He said with concern, ‘you okay?’

  She nodded and he said, ‘try not to think about it, not the bar, not this room or what’s in it, nor what might happen here, just concentrate on freeing me then we can find a way out, okay?’

  She appreciated what he was trying to do, but there was no way out, the people who had suffered and probably died here couldn’t find one, Olivia couldn’t find one why should they be the lucky ones?

  She said none of this to Leyton of course but said, ‘okay, let’s find somewhere to sit, preferably as far away from these…things, as possible.’

  They chose a corner and sat down, there were still chains hanging from the walls but they chose to ignore them and what there purpose was.

  Leyton turned his back to her and leaned back so that his hands were on the floor.

  She said, ‘this may hurt a little.’ She knew it would hurt a lot and so did he.

  He said, ‘it’s okay.’

  She said, ‘ready?’

  He nodded and Adela hit the chain between the cuffs with the metal bar, nothing happened except that Leyton winced.

  She apologised he said it was okay. She hit the chain six more times and six more times she said “sorry,” and six more times he said “it’s okay.”

  Eventually she stopped and said, ‘this is not working and I’m only hurting you.’

  He shook his head and she said, ‘you’re bleeding.’

  ‘Look, don’t worry about that, it’s important that we get these cuffs off. I need to be able to defend you when they come back for us.’

  There was no comment from behind him. He said, ‘Miss. Faraday?’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘Nothing, really. It’s just that you want to defend me even though I got you into this dreadful predicament in the first place.

  He looked at her over his shoulder. ‘I’ve told you, it’s not your fault, you can’t take responsibility for the actions of others.’

  ‘The last man who helped me ended up losing his home and almost his life.’

  He gave wry smile, ‘well I have an excellent sprinkler system installed in my home, and I have no intention of losing my life.’

  She raised her eyebrows in surprise then he smiled and she pursed her lips then smiled too. He said, ‘so keep at it, Miss. Faraday.’

  ‘Yes, Detective Leyton.’

  He kept her gaze for a moment then turned to the front again.

  She said, ‘and it’s Adela.’

  ‘I know. I thought what a nice name that is when I first heard it.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘And I’m Ellis.’

  ‘That’s a nice name also.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  They both laughed but it was strained and shaky.

  She had given him permission to call her by her given name because they were now much more than detective and witness, or suspect. They were two people who found themselves in great danger and that brought people closer than just about anything else. They were now friends. But she’d also done it because being called Miss. Faraday reminded her too much of Hennessey, and she didn’t want to be reminded of that man. Not now, not ever.

  But despite her resolve she
did think about him. She wondered what he was doing now. Had he made good his escape after he had called the sheriff, because she knew he had. She wondered whether he had had something to do with what had happened to Sullivan, was he responsible for what was now happening to herself and Leyton. Or maybe he had even been killed at Lando’s cabin.

  The only light she could see at the end of this long, dark terrifying tunnel was that at least Mr. Lando was safe with Sheriff Lomax. At least psychically, but she had a feeling that Lomax was a force to be reckoned with, that he liked Lando and would not let them falsely accuse him of anything.

  She thought about what Lando had said to her just before she left. She had been very hurt even though she knew he had been quite within his rights to say what he had; she had been responsible for the loss of his home and what had happened to Dante.

  But it hadn’t taken her too long to realise why he had said what he had, to make her leave with Leyton and Sullivan and to tell the truth even about his role in what had occurred. He hadn’t wanted her to lie for him. Although she had, and would.

  She just hoped and prayed that he would be all right, that they didn’t charge him with anything now that she was unable to tell the police the truth. But if she got out of this, which was doubtful, she would get him a good lawyer. She would get herself a good lawyer.

  The blood from Leyton’s wrists was trickling down his fingers making the handcuffs slippery. She stopped and heaved a huge sigh, ‘it’s no good, Detective…I mean Ellis.

  The cuffs aren’t budging and you’re bleeding quite badly.’

  He looked around, ‘is there anything else we can use?’

  She followed his gaze, ‘not that I can see. I can try twisting the chain with the bar; it might have been weakened with all the banging. But that might really hurt.’

  ‘Don’t worry about that, Adela, just give it a try.’

  She took the cuffs and wrapped the chain around the bar then twisted. He winced and bowed his head. She stopped instantly, ‘I’m sorry.’

  ‘No, go on, it’ll work this time.’

  She was doubtful but at least they were doing something. She twisted the bar very mindful of the blood now running freely down his hands and the pain he must be in.