by M A Comley
“I don’t believe you. If you thought anything of your daughter, you would move heaven and earth to get me that money. If you value your daughter’s life, you’ll get me that money by the end of the day.”
Baldwin sighed. “Believe me, please, I’m trying my hardest to get the money for you. What if you swap me for my daughter? My company would pay up without hesitation. I’m perceived as being a valuable asset in their eyes, but my daughter isn’t. That’s the problem.”
“No can do. I’m keeping the girl. I bet you never had ‘must try harder’ on a report at school. Well, that’s what you’re going to have to do today… try harder.”
“Seriously, I can’t.”
“My old mum, bless her soul, used to tell me there’s no such word as can’t. Stop making excuses and work your butt off for a change to get me my money. Meet me at Park Grove, Levenshulme, under the railway tunnel, at eight this evening. That gives you eight hours, give or take half an hour, to come up with my dosh. Either that, or I will end your daughter’s life, and I assure you, it won’t be a pleasant death. You see, I love to see the terror in their eyes when I’m torturing them. Hearing them plead for their worthless lives really turns me on. Am I getting across how important it is for you to find that money today, Baldwin? Or do you want to hear all the gory details of what I have lined up for your daughter?”
“No, please. Don’t hurt her. I’ll get you your money, I swear.”
“Make sure you do. Oh, and if I sniff out the scent of any coppers, I’ll kill her on the spot. Am I making myself clear?”
“Yes. You have my word—”
Myers ended the call before Baldwin could finish his sentence. His heart was pounding, and the idea of torturing and killing the girl in front of her father gave him a hard-on. He laughed all the way back to the house. He was still laughing when he walked through into the lounge.
The two kids eyed him in puzzlement.
“No point telling you. Before you ask, it was one of those occasions where you had to be there to appreciate how funny it was. I’ve bought some fish and chips. Anyone hungry?”
The kids looked at each other then back at him.
“I’m hungry,” Dale replied, almost salivating.
“No. I don’t eat that crap,” Vicki said, screwing up her nose in disgust.
“Hey, no skin off my nose, babe. That’s all that’s on offer. Take it or leave it. You can frigging starve for all I care.”
He threw a portion of the wrapped takeaway at the boy then settled down in the easy chair opposite and unwrapped his own food. He switched on the TV and flicked channels until the news popped up on the screen. He sat forward and turned up the volume when the inspector dealing with his case appeared.
“We have reason to believe that although these two teenagers carried out this robbery, they are being forced to commit these crimes and being held against their will somewhere in the Manchester area.”
The two teenagers sitting opposite him gasped when their pictures filled the screen.
“My God!” Vicki said. The colour had drained from her face.
Myers laughed. “What’s it like to be considered fugitives?”
“I think I’m going to be sick.” Vicki leaned over the side of the bed and threw up on the carpet.
“Nice company you’re keeping there, laddie. Enjoying your fish and chips, are you?” Myers laughed.
Dale wrapped his lunch up and placed it on the floor in front of him.
Vicki wiped her mouth and offered an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t hold it in.”
“No problem. I understand. I wasn’t that hungry anyway,” Dale said, smiling.
Myers stopped listening to the kids and returned his attention to the TV. Watching the detective, Myers almost felt sorry for forcing him to plead. His plan had worked: hit them hard and fast, rock the policing world in Manchester, and have them turning in every direction, chasing their tails. Seeing yet another appeal being aired caused his stomach to constrict a little, though. He’d been cautious when ferrying the teenagers to and from the house. He hadn’t noticed any twitching curtains, but that didn’t mean someone in the vicinity hadn’t spotted them.
The conference ended with a telephone number on the screen. He was very tempted to ring the number, to taunt the inspector even more, but in the end, he resisted the temptation. For the next few hours, Myers paced the lounge, wondering if he should move the kids to another location.
The evening was drawing in. He went out into the back garden and placed another call to Baldwin to heap on the pressure.
“Well? Have you got the funds together?”
“Nearly. I’m two thirds of the way there. Please don’t hurt her.”
“What about the other third? Is that imminent?”
“Yes, I should hear whether it’s forthcoming by seven this evening.”
“That’s taking it to the wire. Is it really worth the risk? I can’t half or three-quarters kill your daughter, but I will if necessary. In other words, it’s all or nothing. Either all the money is delivered to the drop-off, or I kill her in front of you.”
“You got that point across earlier. I’m doing everything in my power to get you this money.”
“Don’t let me down.” He ended the call again before Baldwin’s whining voice could piss him off any more.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Hero hadn’t been home long at the end of a tiring and frustrating day when he received a call on his house phone from Jason back at the station, who had agreed to man the phones up until midnight.
“Boss, I thought I’d better ring you to say that we’ve had an interesting call from a lady who reckons she has identified the two teenagers as the ones who have just moved in next door to her.”
“That’s excellent news. Just a minute, Jason. My mobile is ringing.” He answered it. “Hello, DI Nelson.”
“Sir, this is French. I’m part of the Liverpool team—”
“I know who you are, man. What’s wrong?”
“Sorry, sir. I’m at Baldwin’s house, or at least I was. Baldwin has just left the residence and jumped in his car. Do you want me to follow him?”
“Jesus, okay. Is he alone?”
“Yes, sir. He left carrying a holdall, a pretty heavy one by the looks of things.”
“This could be it. Right, I’m on my way. Keep me informed of the route you’re taking; follow him at a distance. The last thing we want is to scare the bugger.”
“Yes, sir.”
Hero ended the call on his mobile and picked up the house phone. “Jason, did you hear that?”
“No, sir, couldn’t quite hear at this end.”
“Right, Baldwin is on the move. I was going to say that I’ll make my way over to the caller’s house, but I don’t think there’s any point if Baldwin is on the move. He’s obviously on the way to meet Myers.”
“Yes, sir. Want me to send a car out to the neighbour’s address to keep an eye on things?”
Hero thought over his suggestion for a moment or two. “No, I’ll ring Julie. She can handle things there. I’ll get her to arrange an ART hit on the house while I see what Baldwin is up to. Hang fire on things until Julie gets there, you hear me?”
“Yes, sir.”
Hero hung up and picked up his mobile again. “Julie, sorry to disturb you, but things are kicking off, and I need you to get back to the station ASAP.”
“Of course. Why?”
“We’ve got a lead on the kids. A neighbour has rung in with the location. I need you to go over there—not alone though, organise an ART to go with you. We know they’ve got weapons and aren’t afraid to use them.”
“Okay,” she replied hesitantly.
“I know what that tone of voice means. I promise I’m not slacking. At the same time Jason rang me, French also called to say that Baldwin has left his mansion with a holdall. I’m setting off now to see what he’s up to. Looks like a ransom payment and possible exchange is in the ai
r.”
“Ah, I see. I’ll get back to the station ASAP, sir. Let me know what’s happening at your end when you can.”
“You’ve got it. Maybe we should call the rest of the team back in just in case.”
“I’ll get on it, sir. Good luck.”
“You, too.” Hero hung up under the watchful gaze of his wife. He shrugged, rushed towards her, gathered her in his arms, and kissed her on the forehead. “Sorry, love, duty calls. Hopefully, I won’t be long. It wouldn’t be fair to leave it up to my team to deal with, would it now?”
Fay tapped him on the backside and pushed away to look up at his face. “No, we’ll be fine. You go. It wouldn’t be right for you to be at home when an arrest is made.”
“I hope it comes to that, love. I’ve had enough of chasing this madman. I couldn’t cope with this being another false alarm. He’s killed too many folks. It’s imperative I get out there. You understand, love, don’t you?”
“There’s no need to say that, Hero. Of course, I understand. Go! Make the streets of Manchester safer for all our sakes.”
He kissed her again and rushed out the front door just as his phone rang. “Yes, French? Any idea where you’re heading yet?”
“We’re on the A6010 just past Withington Road. I’m three cars behind him; pretty sure he hasn’t spotted me.”
“Good. Keep it that way, French. Have you rung DI Pitt?”
“Yes, sir. I’m keeping him informed of my progress at the same time.”
“Very well. I’m on my way now.”
Hero jumped behind the wheel of his car and started the engine. Checking over his shoulder that the road was clear, he pulled out and immediately put his foot down. He was at least fifteen minutes away from the location French had just called in.
His phone rang again just as he joined the A6010 at Withington Road. “Yes, French. Where are you now?”
“Still on the A6010, sir. We’ve passed Princess Road now, and Wilmslow is just coming up. Hold on… no—he’s gone past that, sir.”
“Right you are. I’m not far behind. I’ll put my foot down. You maintain your distance behind Baldwin. Hope to catch up with you soon. Any news on DI Pitt?”
“He’s just joined me, sir, two cars back.”
“Good. Keep me informed on Baldwin’s progress.” He hung up and drummed his fingers on the steering wheel as he eased his foot down on the accelerator.
Another five anxious minutes passed before French called again. “French here, sir. Baldwin has continued on the A6010 past Birchfields Road. Looks like he’s heading towards Levenshulme. He’s gone over the roundabout and on to Slade Lane.”
“Good man. Okay, I’m just going round the roundabout myself. I should be with you soon.”
Hero peered through the darkness at the lights of the cars ahead of him, but it was impossible to make out either DI Pitt’s or French’s car. It was another three minutes before French contacted him again.
“Sir, he’s turned right, right, right on to Old Hall Lane and appears to be slowing down. I’m easing back as there are no cars between us now.”
“Wise man. I’m almost with you.” Hero ended the call and put his foot down, his heart pounding.
His phone rang again two minutes later. “Sir, he’s stop, stop, stopped just outside the Park Grove Tunnel. I’ve pulled over, and so has the DI behind me.”
“Good. Any sign of Myers? Or another car in the area?”
“No, not yet, sir.”
“All right. Remain alert at all times. We’re all aware of what this bastard is capable of.”
“Yes, sir.”
Hero hung up and put his foot down once more. He pulled into Old Hall Lane, spotted the two police cars at the side of the road, and parked behind Pitt’s. He hopped out of his vehicle and into the front police car. He nodded at French and Pitt as they both turned in their seats to face him. “Any sign of Myers?”
Pitt shook his head. “Not yet.” He looked at the digital clock on the dashboard. “It’s ten to eight. My bet is that the drop-off will take place at eight.”
“I agree. We’ll leave it five minutes and then get into position, either side of the tunnel.”
“Maybe we should call for backup, knowing what this fucker is like. If he starts shooting at us, we’ll be fucked.”
“I’ll ring Julie now.” Hero withdrew his phone and rang his partner’s number.
She answered on the second ring. “Yes, sir?”
“Just checking in Julie, what’s going on at your end?”
“I’m with the ART unit outside the property now, sir. They’re just running through their plan. I can’t see any sign of life in the house and the lights are all off, so it doesn’t bode well from where I’m standing.”
“Okay, keep me informed. I’m going to put my phone on vibrate. Bear with me if I don’t reply straight away. Can you get the ART commanding officer to organise another team to join us here? Baldwin is parked up outside the Park Grove Tunnel. We think he’s going to be dropping off the ransom at eight. Before you say it, I know it’s short notice. It’s the best we could do. We’ve only just found out about this.”
“I’ll do my best, sir. Do you want to hang on while I ask the question?”
“Yes, thanks, Julie.” He heard mumbled voices for a few moments until Julie came back on the line.
“He wasn’t happy, sir, but said he’d contact base and try and get another team with you ASAP. He can’t promise anything, though.”
“Tell him I appreciate that and to do his best. There are three of us here, but we’re unarmed. We will go after this bastard if the need arises, however. We cannot let him get away again. Ensure the commanding officer is aware of that, Julie. And let me know what happens when they hit the house.”
“Yes, sir, on both counts. Stay safe.”
“You, too.” He hung up and immediately put his phone on vibrate in readiness and instructed the other two men to do the same.
The car remained silent for the next few minutes until French said, “Here we go!” when he saw Baldwin leave his vehicle.
“Let’s stay cool and just watch for the time being.” Hero scanned the area around him. “Still no sign of Myers.”
“I think we should get over there sharpish, Nelson. For all we know, Myers could be on the other side of the tunnel and just made contact with Baldwin, ordering him to join him.”
“You might be right. We’ll wait until Baldwin enters the tunnel then make our move. I’ve been to this tunnel before. I think I can squeeze down the side. If I can, I’ll take that route while you two position yourselves on either side of the tunnel at this end.”
Pitt and French both nodded. The three of them waited for Baldwin to enter the tunnel, then they exited the car. They moved swiftly, surveying the area around them just in case Myers was ready to pounce on them. Hero left Pitt and French on either side of the opening and ran down the side of the tunnel. A huge tank blocked his path. He tried to get a foothold but failed. Not one to give in easily, he looked down the other side of the tank and spotted a tight gap. He was sure he would ruin his suit in the process, but it had to be done. Turning sideways, he tucked in his belly and squeezed through the tiny opening. Fear caught in his throat when he thought he was going to get stuck, but he sucked in a deeper breath and managed to successfully squeeze through the gap. He dusted himself down and inhaled and exhaled a few times before continuing on his journey. He strained his ear, to see if he could hear any voices coming from inside the tunnel. There was nothing yet. He kept his back against the side of the tunnel as he heard a car approach. The bastard had switched off his headlights before he arrived.
Hero swallowed the saliva that had filled his mouth. Closing his eyes, he offered up a little prayer to aid his future movements. He heard the crunch of gravel that sounded like two sets of footsteps. It must be the girl—shit! We’re going to have to be extra careful now.
His phone began vibrating in his pocket. He withdrew it and
saw on the caller ID that it was Julie calling. “Julie, what is it?” he whispered.
“Just letting you know that the boy was in the house, tied to a bed. No sign of either Myers or the girl, sir.”
“Thanks. I think they’ve both just turned up here. Any news on the ART unit?”
“They couldn’t get another one over to you, sir. I’ve asked the commanding officer if he’ll come over to your location next. He’s just rounding up his team, sir.”
“Thanks, tell them to make it snappy,” he instructed before ending the call. He rang Pitt’s number to apprise him of the situation.
“We’re ready. We can hear voices coming from inside the tunnel, can’t see a damn thing as it’s too dark. That’s going to be a hindrance to us.”
“Not necessarily; it might just be our saviour. I’m going in.”
“Be careful, Nelson. You’d be better off waiting for the ART to arrive,” Pitt insisted quietly.
“They’re on their way. I won’t do anything foolish.” Hero disconnected the call and breathed in deeply before he inched his way closer to the tunnel entrance. The voices inside got louder with each step he took. He had no idea what lay beneath his feet and cursed when something jagged pierced the bottom of his shoe.
The tunnel fell silent until a man’s voice boomed. “All right, wise guy, show your fucking self.”
Hero limped towards the mouth of the tunnel. His eyes quickly adjusted to the dark. The man they had spent the last ten days tracking was standing a few feet away from him, his arm around a girl’s neck, the tip of a large knife touching her throat. Baldwin was in front of the man, carrying the holdall in one hand and reaching out with his other hand as if pleading with the man to let his daughter go.
“Why don’t you put the knife down, Myers? We have this place surrounded.”
Myers laughed. “Are you winding me up? What do you take me for, man? There’s you and only you here. Anyway, I warned Baldwin what would happen to his precious daughter if he involved you.”
