Rollover

by James Raven

  ‘But they didn’t,’ Angel said.

  Temple shook his head. ‘They gave me the usual bullshit about it being in the public interest and police corruption was an epidemic that had to be curtailed. Mayo was more aggressive than Cain, who I think might have been persuaded. But in the end it went ahead.’

  ‘And I take it the story destroyed George Banks’s career?’

  ‘That’s right,’ Temple said. ‘We were forced to suspend him and he was facing charges. But before it got to court he topped himself.’

  ‘My God.’

  ‘It’s why we virtually blacklisted those two reporters. Technically they’d exposed a corrupt police officer and had done nothing wrong. But that’s not how his colleagues saw it. There’s been a lot of ill-feeling. Still is. Some of the guys have always felt they had a score to settle.’

  ‘What happened to the son?’

  ‘Warren is OK for the moment,’ Temple said. ‘He’s nine now and responding to the new treatment. A fund was set up after George’s death. A lot of money was raised and then three months ago the NHS agreed to supply the drug free of charge.’

  They both fell silent. Temple tried to remember the last time he had dropped in on George’s widow, Beth. Surely he was due to pay another visit.

  ‘Sounds to me like maybe Danny Cain is a good starting point for this investigation,’ Angel said. ‘What do you think, guv?’

  ‘I think you’re right,’ Temple said. ‘I know where he lives. We’ll leave DC Patel in charge here and go right over. But before we do there’s something else you ought to know about this case.’

  Angel tilted her head to one side and arched her brow.

  ‘It concerns our boss,’ Temple said. ‘Superintendent Priest.’

  8

  ‘I’m scared,’ Laura said. ‘I want Daddy.’

  Maggie Cain pulled her daughter close to her with her free hand. Her little face was red from crying. Her eyes were dull and unfocused.

  ‘Daddy will find us soon, sweetheart. Everything will be all right.’ Saliva cracked at the back of Maggie’s throat as she spoke.

  ‘But why does that man want to hurt us?’ Laura said.

  ‘I don’t know, sweetheart, but I swear I won’t let him harm you. Trust me on that.’

  ‘Max says the man is going to kill us.’

  Maggie was suddenly furious with Max, which of course was absurd since he was a figment of her child’s imagination.

  ‘Max doesn’t know what he’s talking about. I suggest you tell him to be quiet. Or maybe you can get him to tell you a story. Take your mind off what’s happening.’

  ‘He didn’t bring any of his books. He forgot them when he chased out of the house after us.’

  ‘Then why don’t you tell him a story? He’s probably as scared as you are and that will cheer him up.’

  Laura started whispering, which was her way of communicating with her imaginary friend. That’s good, Maggie thought. It’ll focus her mind on something other than the terrifying reality of their situation.

  Maggie chewed her bottom lip and rested her head against the wall behind her. They were sitting on the floor of a freezing loft, or attic, or whatever it was called. One ring of a pair of metal handcuffs was attached to Maggie’s left wrist and the other ring to a short length of chain that encircled a wooden stanchion.

  The loft was large and gloomy and there were lots of timber supports. Between them spiders had woven dozens of webs. It hadn’t been fully converted. There was a makeshift floor of chipboard sections that had been nailed on to the joists, although they didn’t cover the whole area. There were gaps where the insulation obscured the top of the ceiling below. Light welled softly from a naked bulb suspended from above. The walls were bare brick and there was a noisy water tank in one corner.

  Their own loft at home was filled with junk. Cardboard boxes, spare pillows, old photo albums. But this space was empty.

  Maggie closed her eyes and prayed that the nightmare would soon be over and that no harm would come to them. But she was scared. Desperately scared.

  If only she hadn’t opened the door. But then how was she to know that it would prove to be the biggest mistake she had ever made? She just wasn’t thinking. The prospect of sharing in a massive lottery win had unsettled her.

  After the man in the balaclava had taken Maggie’s phone he called Danny. And as she listened to what he said to her husband it became clear to her that Vince was dead and that this man was a cruel, sadistic killer.

  After the call he forced her upstairs to wake Laura. Her daughter was naturally terrified and clung desperately to her mother as she got out of bed. The man allowed them both to dress. Before leaving the house he wrapped a scarf around Maggie’s head to cover her eyes. He led them outside and into the boot of a car.

  They were in the car for almost an hour. They stopped several times. The third time she heard him get out of the car. Then she heard glass breaking near by. This was followed by a long silence. After another twenty minutes or so they were allowed out of the boot. He didn’t make her put the scarf back over her eyes. It was too dark to see much anyway other than a large house partly surrounded by trees. The man was still wearing the ski mask and was also carrying a rucksack on his back.

  ‘That way,’ he said. ‘Go.’

  They walked across a gravel driveway to the front door. Inside, the house felt empty and cold.

  The man led them up some stairs to a short, dingy landing. Bare floorboards. Yellowing wallpaper. Muted lighting from an old-fashioned wall lamp.

  An aluminium loft ladder had been lowered from the ceiling hatch. He ordered them to climb it, Maggie first.

  ‘There’s a light up there,’ he said. ‘And some blankets.’

  ‘You’re going to leave us here?’

  ‘You’ll be all right. I won’t let you starve to death.’

  ‘What about my husband?’

  ‘He’ll be joining you later.’

  After securing her to the stanchion, he took a second set of cuffs and a chain from his rucksack and attached them to a joist. He used a key from a bunch to lock the cuffs.

  ‘That’s for your husband,’ he said. ‘I won’t bother to restrain your daughter, but I suggest you keep her close to you. It’s dangerous to walk around up here.’

  Then he left without saying another word, closing the hatch behind him.

  Now Maggie opened her eyes and looked down at Laura’s head. She ran her fingers through her curls in the hope that it would provide some comfort to her daughter.

  Then she mouthed another silent prayer.

  Please don’t let him hurt her. Please save us from this madman.

  She told herself she had to remain positive. It wasn’t easy, though, especially when her mind turned to Vince and she wondered how and why he had been killed.

  And what about Danny? He’d be frantic with worry and she feared he might ignore the kidnapper’s warning and go to the police. And if he did, what then? Would the man in the mask be true to his word and kill them?

  Just then the hatch was raised and the ladder was lowered. Then the man appeared as a dark, hooded figure framed by the light from the hall below.

  Maggie wanted to scream but she didn’t dare. And besides, she very much doubted that anyone would hear her. Instead, she straightened her back and stuck out her chin. She also tightened her grip on Laura. She wouldn’t give in to the bastard without a fight. She’d scratch, gouge, bite and do whatever else it took to protect her daughter.

  But her determination to resist did nothing to diminish the strength of the fear that gripped her body: a fear borne out of the simple truth that they were completely at his mercy.

  ‘Your bastard husband has fucked up,’ the man said, his voice jagged, harsh. ‘You heard me warn him not to involve the police. I told him what would happen. Well they’re now crawling all over Vince Mayo’s cottage.’

  Maggie’s heart leapt into her mouth. She felt a rush of blood cascade thro
ugh her veins.

  ‘Please don’t do anything to us,’ she pleaded. ‘I beg you.’

  She shifted position and put the cuffed arm around Laura. Then clenched her free hand into a fist and held her breath. This is it, she thought. Be ready. Go for the eyes or the throat. At least make sure you hurt this maniac before he can hurt you.

  ‘I need to find out what that idiot has told them,’ he said. ‘And I want you to remind him what’s at stake here. Understand?’

  The man stepped towards them and she saw that he was holding a mobile phone. Her mobile phone.

  9

  There was blood on my shoes. I hadn’t noticed it before, but I suddenly became aware of the dark stains on the brown leather toes. There were also tiny pools in the crevices of both rubber soles. I’d been trampling Vince’s blood all over the place, for God’s sake. The thought of it made me cringe.

  I took off the shoes and put them in a plastic bag which I stuffed into the cupboard under the sink. Out of sight. Then I started pacing the room again, trying to stop my mind from imploding. Sky News remained on in the background, reminding me every so often that there was only one winner of the eighteen million pounds lottery jackpot.

  And unbeknown to the rest of the world that winner had been Vince.

  He really did have all six numbers, and to one of the biggest UK lottery prizes in years. But he must have known it for only a matter of minutes – time enough to get excited and then phone me with the news.

  Before he was butchered.

  Talk about a dramatic reversal of fortune. I couldn’t imagine a more cruel twist of fate. One moment you’re the luckiest person on earth with a fabulous life to look forward to. Then the next moment you’re dead. How was that possible? How could it be justified in the grand scheme of things?

  And who the hell was responsible? The bastard on the phone had killed my friend and kidnapped my family. Yet I had no idea who he was or how he had come to appear on the scene so suddenly. But what I did know was that eighteen million pounds is a strong motive for murder. The kind of mind-boggling figure that can turn a law-abiding person into a cold-blooded killer. And for that reason I had no choice but to take the threat to my family seriously. There was no question but that they were in mortal danger. And for that matter so was I.

  I started pouring myself another drink just as my mobile rang. Maggie’s name appeared on the illuminated screen, causing my scalp to tighten against my skull.

  Hands shaking, I snapped open the cover.

  ‘Maggie – is that you?’

  ‘I thought you cared about your family, Cain.’

  It was him. The voice was louder and more threatening than the last time I’d heard it. I felt a dramatic change in the rhythm of my heartbeat.

  ‘I told you not to involve the police,’ he said. ‘I told you what would happen to your wife and kid if you did.’

  ‘I didn’t call them,’ I said. ‘I swear.’

  ‘Then why are they at your partner’s place?’

  ‘They can’t be. The cottage was empty when I left it.’

  ‘Well it’s not empty now. There’s a whole army of filth there.’

  ‘How do you know?’

  ‘I told you I have contacts.’

  ‘But I did exactly what you told me to do. I left the cottage and came home. I’ve been waiting for you to call. Someone must have gone there after me.’

  A pause. His heavy breathing scraped across my eardrum.

  ‘I’m telling the truth,’ I said.’ Please don’t do anything to my family. I didn’t contact the police.’

  ‘I’ll soon know if you did,’ he said. ‘I’m going to make a call. If I find you’re lying I’m going to slit their throats. You got that?’

  I mumbled something that sounded like a yes. There was another long pause.

  Then: ‘Danny?’

  Oh sweet Jesus, it was Maggie. I could barely contain myself.

  ‘Babe, are you OK?’

  She cleared her throat and spoke in a hurried, tearful voice. ‘For now I am. But look, you mustn’t tell anyone about the lottery ticket. Promise me you won’t.’

  ‘I promise,’ I said. ‘Is Laura all right?’

  ‘She’s coping, but only just.’

  ‘Is she hurt? Are you hurt?’

  ‘No, but we’re scared, Danny. And cold.’ She started to sob.

  ‘You have to keep it together, honey. Be strong.’

  ‘I’ll try, but he’s threatening to kill us and I know that he killed Vince. He says he won’t let us go until he has the money. Please don’t stop it from happening. Please don’t involve the police.’

  ‘I won’t,’ I said. ‘You have to believe that.’

  ‘I do, but I’m not sure if …’

  He must have snatched the phone away from her because he was suddenly back on the line.

  ‘That’s enough,’ he said. ‘Get this, Cain. I’ll soon know the truth about what happened tonight. If you’ve lied so help me they die.’

  ‘I haven’t lied. I really don’t know why the police are at the cottage.’

  ‘Well they are, and they’ll soon drop in on you.’

  ‘But they don’t know that I was there tonight.’

  ‘It won’t take them long to find out and I don’t want you talking to them.’

  ‘So what should I do?’

  ‘Leave your house now, like this minute,’ he said. ‘Go somewhere out of harm’s way. And don’t answer the phone unless it’s me calling on your wife’s mobile. I’ll be in touch soon.’

  ‘How soon?’

  ‘I don’t know. A few hours. Or maybe never if it turns out you’re fucking with me.’

  There was a click as he severed the connection. I listened to the silence for a moment before hanging up.

  Hearing Maggie’s voice gave me hope. She was still alive and appeared to be unharmed. But her situation was even more perilous now because the police were apparently involved. How had that happened? Who had tipped them off? Had someone turned up at the cottage after I left?

  Maybe it was the neighbour. What was his name? Bill something or other. A retired jeweller who was always dropping in on Vince unannounced. The last time I’d seen him was at the summer barbecue.

  Not that it mattered now who alerted the cops. The damage was done and I could only pray that the kidnapper would find out for himself that I was not to blame.

  My watch said 1 a.m. I had to get moving. If the police did come to the house then I couldn’t afford to be here. If they started to question me then I was bound to give the game away and that might well prove to be catastrophic.

  The kidnapper’s objective was clear to me now. He wanted to submit Vince’s lottery ticket and claim the money. But in order to do that he had to be sure that no one else knew about it. I was the loose end: the one person who could derail his plan by telling the police. They’d then make sure he didn’t collect the money. Or even if he managed to do so they’d make sure he didn’t get to spend it. So he had to rein me in quickly.

  But then what? Would he let us all go once he had the money? I wanted to believe that he would, but I knew it was unlikely. He’d want us out of the way.

  I couldn’t allow myself to dwell on this hellish scenario, though. I had to get to Maggie and Laura. A step at a time. It was the only way.

  I rushed upstairs and put on my trainers, then discarded the sweatsoaked T-shirt for a jumper. The sight of Maggie’s pale-blue dressing-gown on the bed sent a shiver of fear racing through me right into my stomach. I just stood there for several seconds, unable to move as the pounding blood in my head slowly came to the boil. I’d told Maggie to be strong. Now I had to tell it to myself. It meant I’d have to control the fear and not allow it to overwhelm me. Easier said than done when your wife and daughter are facing such a grave threat.

  I took several deep breaths to help me regain my composure. Then I turned off the light and was about to leave the room when I heard something outside. A chill sho
t through me as I swivelled round to peer through the window.

  Twin headlights were coming up the driveway. A car I didn’t recognize. I stood, transfixed, as it came to a stop. The front doors opened and a man and a woman stepped out. There was just enough light to see their faces. The woman I didn’t recognize, but her colleague was familiar to me.

  DCI Jeff Temple. The man who once described me as a hack without a conscience. He believed I’d helped drive his best friend to suicide. Great. That was all I needed.

  I rushed downstairs. Grabbed my windbreaker off its hook in the hall. Entered the kitchen just as the doorbell rang. I paused to consider my options, but it took only seconds for me to conclude that I had to avoid being confronted by the police. I couldn’t afford to ignore what the man had said, not as long as he was holding Maggie and Laura hostage.

  As the doorbell rang a second time, I unlocked the kitchen door and stepped out on to the rear patio. Then I eased the door shut behind me and launched myself into the night.

  10

  ‘Are you sure you saw someone?’ Temple said.

  Angel nodded. ‘A figure moved across an upstairs window. I’m certain of it.’

  Temple rang Cain’s doorbell for the third time. This is odd, he thought. There are lights on inside the house, a car on the driveway, and Angel saw movement inside. So why is there no response? He looked again at the car. A blue BMW. Was it the car that Mr Nadelson saw speeding along the lane away from Vince Mayo’s house? Temple couldn’t help but wonder.

  He rapped his knuckles on the front door. Called out Cain’s name. Angel stepped over to a window, peered inside.

  ‘The light’s on in the living room,’ she said. ‘It’s empty, but there are two wine glasses on the coffee table.’