by Clare Revell
Vince looked at her. “You’re not worried about Liam, are you? We don’t need him. He’ll get home fine.”
“I know he will.” And I need Liam, even if you don’t.
“Have you made a decision? Will you be able to work on what I want?”
She took a deep breath. “I should be able to. It’s not quite what I envisioned when you said partners, but…”
Vince’s hand closed over hers and Jacqui slowly raised her gaze to meet his.
“I want you as more than a partner, Jac hon. It’s all arranged. Sunset tomorrow…you and me…”
“What are you talking about?” she asked hoping her gut instinct was wrong. Surely he didn’t mean what she was afraid he did?
Vince reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring. “I want you as my wife. Just think of all we could accomplish.”
Jacqui swallowed hard, her stomach threatening to eject her dinner all over the table.
“Well? I expected more of a reaction than that.”
“I—I’m sorry. I’m just really tried. It’s been a long day. I might go and work on those plans you wanted, while the ideas are fresh in my mind.”
Vince’s grip tightened. “I’ve just proposed marriage and you’re going to work? I hoped we could spend the evening together, planning…”
“I need time to think and pray about it, Vince. I can’t give you a decision right now.” She looked at him. “You owe me that at least. Especially if you love me. Now let go and let me get up, please.”
“Very well. I want an answer in the morning. The ceremony is arranged for sunset.”
“I see.” Would she get no input in that either? Not that she had any intention of marrying him. By sunset tomorrow she’d be as far away as she could. She pushed up and nodded. “Goodnight.”
Jacqui left the dining hut swiftly and went back to the rooms.
There was still no sign of Liam. But she didn’t expect there to be. Not now. Vince had put Liam well and truly out of the picture. She didn’t know where he was, but she knew for sure he wasn’t on a plane to London.
She pulled the phone from her bag and turned it on. No signal.
Just a little help, please?
She put the phone onto vibrate and slid it into her pocket. Jacqui grabbed the flashlight from her bag and slid it into her other pocket. There must be a hill or an open area where she could get a signal on the phone. This wasn’t the safest thing to do, but what choice did she have?
The man she loved was out there somewhere, probably hurt, possibly more, but she wasn’t going to even think that. Lord, protect him wherever he is. Keep him safe. Let me find him or get a message to his brother or both. All that matters is finding him safe.
She grabbed her jacket and slid into it, making sure her notepad and pencil were in the top pocket. Jacqui crept down the verandah and outside the building. A row of lights lit the way along the path to the dining hut and the latrines. Following the path, she reached the latrines then branched off behind them. She pulled the phone from her pocket and glanced at it. A glimmer of a signal, one bar. Maybe if she went further along the path the signal would improve.
She walked a bit further, praying hard with every step. Two bars. Would that be enough? She had no choice but to risk it. Squinting at the phone, she scrolled through the list of contacts, hoping he listed Patrick under P and not under a nickname. There were two listed. Patrick home and Patrick mobile. Unsure of the time difference, she dialed the mobile number.
Please, let him be there.
The phone rang and rang. As she was about to hang up, a voice answered. “The lion and the unicorn were fighting for the crown.”
What? Totally confused she looked aghast at the phone. That was the last thing she expected. “I’m sorry?”
“The lion and the unicorn were fighting for the crown.”
“Is this Patrick?”
“Who is this?”
Jacqui panicked. “It’s Jacqui. Umm…” What’s my code name? It was something Biblical, they both were and they were a matching pair. Oh think, woman. Jezebel, Esther, Rachel, Deborah…Delilah. That was it. “It’s Delilah. I’m using Samson’s phone.”
“I explicitly told him no contact. Do you have the correct code? The lion and the unicorn were fighting for the crown.”
What was the next line? “The lion beat the unicorn twice around the town.”
“I’m sorry. That’s not it.”
“Please, it’s important. Samson’s missing, and so’s Den…Rhubarb—” The line went dead. Tears filled her eyes. Now what did she do?
19
Liam opened his eyes as water splashed into his face, dripping down his chest. Every part of his body hurt. A figure stood over him, the nauseating smell of sweat and stale alcohol on his breath, making Liam gag.
“So you’re awake. Good. Perhaps you’ll answer some questions for me.”
Terry’s back.
Liam experimentally moved his jaw. It was swollen and sore from the previous beating he’d received.
Oh, Lord, help me here. Don’t let me give anything away and above all keep Jacqui safe. She’s out there with Vince and she’s alone. I know a little of what he’s capable of but—
An eye watering punch shoved his head to one side, cutting off his prayer. Liam gasped as pain skyrocketed through his neck and shoulders. With his hands firmly tied behind his back, holding him prisoner on the chair, there was no way he could retaliate.
“I asked you a question.”
“I didn’t hear you. I’m sorry. Perhaps you could repeat it.”
“Where did you meet the new cook, Dennis? Are you plotting something together?”
“Never met him before today,” Liam replied truthfully. “And hardly exchanged two words with him.”
Another punch sent his head flying the other way. “Liar.”
“Why would I lie?”
“You and Miss Dorne spoke to him, and he was found in the radio room sending a coded signal. He refused to say anything. He died screaming. Exactly the same way that you will.”
“Don’t be so sure.”
“Perhaps I should ask Miss Dorne these questions. Or tell Vince she’s betrayed him. He won’t like that.”
“She hasn’t betrayed him. She doesn’t know anything about anything. She came out here because Vince asked her to. I didn’t want to come.”
“Too many bad memories, maybe? Are you not enjoying being back where you wife died?”
“What do you think? Tell me, what does Vince want the land for? It looks like he’s got a fairly impressive military style operation set up here. Having a bunch of kids in an orphanage would cramp his style.”
“Shut up!” Another swift blow sent his senses reeling. Stars floated in front of his eyes, followed by a hard punch to his stomach which drove the air from his lungs. Unable to even bend double, Liam sat there, gasping for breath. Forgive him, Lord…
Terry moved back into his field of vision holding what looked like jump leads for a car attached to a battery pack. “Then let me ask again only this time I want the truth.”
“I told you the truth.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Terry touched the two metal clips together and the air sparked blue with electricity.
Liam swallowed hard. Lord, God, help me.
Terry moved over to him. “Let’s see if I can change your mind.”
Liam closed his eyes. No matter what happened he’d remain quiet. He wasn’t going to betray Jacqui or Patrick. He focused his attention on the Lord, starting to sing ‘Jesus, lover of my soul’ in his mind. He could do this, he had to, and if he were to die here, then he’d leave it up to God to save Jacqui.
****
Jacqui stood there, the dead phone in her hand. How could Patrick cut her off? Didn’t he care about his brother at all? It wasn’t her fault she didn’t know what the code was? There was no one else she could call. She shook her head. Of course there was. Closing her eyes, she prayed hard.
Then rubbing away the tears, she took a deep breath.
With God’s help, she could do this. The man she loved depended on her, on them, and she wasn’t going to let him down.
Now think. Liam has to be here somewhere. You know he hasn’t left the country. Start by searching the outbuildings.
Jacqui started walking back towards the compound. She had taken three steps when the phone in her hand vibrated. It didn’t recognize the number, but she answered anyway. “Hello?”
“Jacqui, this is Patrick. This is a secure line this time, so the number won’t be traced. Can you talk?”
She swung around and started pacing again, looking as if she were working. “Yeah.”
“Where’s Liam?”
“I don’t know. We got separated. Vince wanted to talk to me alone, so he dragged me off, despite Liam’s objections. I assumed Liam was going to snoop a bit, but I haven’t seen him since. First Vince said Liam had gone shopping, but he didn’t take his wallet or any ID. So I put them with mine to keep them safe. Then just now Vince said Liam had flown home because of a family emergency, but his bag is still here, or at least it was, and I know he didn’t take a commercial flight like Vince said as I have Liam’s passport. But in the three minutes I was in the shower, his bag has gone and mine was broken into and—”
“Slow down, you’re babbling and I can’t understand you. Leave out the circumstances for now and stick to Liam. When did you last see him?” Patrick’s no nonsense tone cut her off.
“About five hours ago. He was finding it really hard, being back here. When he didn’t show for dinner...I thought you should know.”
“Why didn’t you send a message via the other channel?”
“I did…well at lunch I mentioned the chicken dish to the cook, but then Vince appeared so I made a random comment about Liam having abandoned me figuring you’d get the message.”
“I haven’t heard anything since yesterday when you arrived. Where’s Dennis now?”
“According to the server at dinner, he went home because his mother was sick.”
“I see.” Patrick’s voice tightened. “I’ll get things rolling from this end. Had either of you found anything yet?”
“Vince wants to marry me, and it’s definitely not an orphanage he wants built out here. Other than that…oh, hang on—Liam was hiding under Vince’s desk and stuck a note in my shoe. It said Liberaté.”
“Liberaté? Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Spell it for me?”
“L-i-b-e-r-a-t-e. It has one of those slant things over the e. A forward slash one, I think.”
“OK, thanks. Was there anything else on the note?”
“No. Just the one word. Liberaté. I have no idea what it means, but Liam must have thought it was important.”
“I’ll look into it and get back to you. I need you to do something for me.”
“What’s that? Other than don’t marry Vince.” She laughed nervously. “You need to get me out of here before sunset tomorrow. Or I need to get myself out.”
“Well, yeah. Keep your head down. Don’t do anything to arouse any more suspicion. And don’t call me again. I’ll call you.”
The line went dead. Jacqui closed the phone and slid it into her pocket. She wasn’t expecting to hear back from Patrick. It was up to her to find Liam and get them out of here. First port of call was the outbuildings on the edge of the compound.
She walked back towards them, waving at the guards. She smiled as they waved back. As she walked, Jacqui pulled out a notebook and counted aloud, as if she were measuring the distance. Every so often she’d scribble the numbers down on the paper. She shone the flashlight at the door on the first outbuilding. They were single story, one room buildings, which she expected were storage sheds, and all were in complete darkness.
Pushing the door open, Jacqui moved the torch around. Empty. One down, six to go. She moved on to the next, feeling more confident in her ability to do this. If this took all night, so be it. Ten minutes later, she had six buildings crossed off her list, and she moved onto the next row.
“Memsahib?” Jacqui closed her eyes at the intrusive voice and turned around to see Simeon running across to her. “Memsahib…”
Forcing a smile to rival his, Jacqui moved over to him. “Yes?”
“Sahib Devlin, he have need of you now. Urgent.”
“I’m busy. It will have to wait.”
“No, can not wait. He say you come now. Very, very important you come now.”
“Then lead on.” Jacqui followed Simeon across the compound, tuning out his chatter. What did Vince want that was so important? It wasn’t news of Liam—that much she was sure of. Even if Vince had used a private plane to fly Liam home, he wouldn’t get far without the passport sitting in the pouch wrapped around her stomach.
Vince stood in his office.
“What is it?”
Vince turned and smiled, holding out a glass of wine to her. “I wanted to see you.”
“And I’m trying to work.”
“It’s late, sweetheart, and I want to see this ring on your finger tonight. You’ve had plenty of time to consider my proposal, and I’m sure you’re in agreement with me, that is really is for the best. For everyone.”
“What do you mean by everyone?”
Vince held her gaze. “It would be a terrible shame if Liam’s flight met with an accident or he was detained by customs for importing something illegal. Wouldn’t it?”
Chills ran down her spine. “OK,” she whispered.
“I didn’t hear you. Will you marry me?”
“Yes.” The words were torn from her soul, ripping the heart from her. She’d do it to save Liam. Her heart belonged to the tall, Irish gentleman who’d thrown flowers over her laptop. She cleared her throat. “Yes, Vince. I’ll marry you.”
He slid the ring onto her finger. “There, was that so bad?”
Jacqui stood still and closed her eyes, turning her head at the last moment as he leaned in for a kiss, his lips brushing her cheek. She tried not to shudder, her whole being repulsed by his touch.
Vince’s fingers slid under her chin, tilting her face back towards him. “What were you doing by the storage units?” The glint in his eyes belied the silky voice and smile on his lips.
“Measuring.” She held his gaze, refusing to be intimidated by him. Not anymore.
“I don’t believe you.”
Jacqui pulled out her notebook and thrust it at him, grateful for the forethought to have taken notes. “Here, check it then.”
His fingers brushed hers as he took it. “Why measure in the dark when you can’t see what you’re doing?” He studied the book. “And this is a mess. It looks like random numbers. How can you make any sense of it?”
Jacqui sighed. “It’s called pacing the area out. It makes perfect sense if you know what you’re doing—which I do.” She took the book back. “Now, if you don’t mind, I want to do the rest of that side before it gets any later.”
Vine’s hand caught tight hold of her wrist. “Actually, I do mind. You haven’t touched your wine.”
“I don’t drink. You should know that.”
“Tonight you will.” His tone left her in no doubt that it wasn’t an option, with its veiled threat. “Here.”
Jacqui took the glass he offered, her fingers white against it.
“To us. May we live long and prosper.”
“Deuteronomy chapter five, verse thirty three,” she told him, reluctantly chinking her glass against his. She forced herself to drink, wrinkling her nose and trying not to gag.
“Interesting.” He sat in his chair, pulling her down onto his lap. “One drink, a cuddle and you can go.”
Jacqui closed her eyes as the smell of alcohol washed over her. It was clear this wasn’t his first of the night. She stiffened as his fingers caressed her arm and his lips pressed into her hair. Now what? I don’t want to anger him, who knows what he’d do, but I can’t do this. I won
’t do this.
The phone rang. Vince picked it up. “Devlin. Yeah I’m in the middle of something…” He straightened and pushed Jacqui off his lap. “What? When did that happen?” He pulled the pad towards him. “Well of course I do.”
Jacqui set the glass down and made a quick exit while he was distracted. Thank you, Lord. She headed back across to the storage sheds, and reached the ones she hadn’t already checked. She found each one empty and unlocked. The final one contained a pile of crates.
As tempting as it was to look inside them, Jacqui knew she didn’t have time. She had to find Liam, assuming he was still here, before it got light. Leaving the building, she slowly made her way through the ruins to a large building that had caught her attention that morning. Half destroyed by the fire, it had a brand new door on it. Hefting the flashlight in her right hand, she tried the door.
It was locked. Why put a new door on a ruin if not to keep something safe, or to stop someone getting in?
Or out came the voice inside her. Perhaps Liam is in there.
She reached up and pulled a hairpin from her hair. This couldn’t be that hard. She’d seen it on the TV loads of times and been shown how to jimmy a lock during the few days training she’d been given.
She slid the grip into the lock and jiggled it. She reinserted the hairpin, and this time there was a faint click. Trying the handle again, she allowed herself a small smile when it moved. She pushed the door open, gritting her teeth as it creaked and shone the flashlight around the room. She caught her breath as a pair of eyes reflected at her.
****
Liam still had the same splitting headache and nausea in his gut he’d woken with several hours ago, when he realized he was tied to a chair in the dark. Now the pain was infinitely worse. He assumed he had burn marks where Terry had attached the electrodes. Terry had kept going until he passed out.
He tried moving his hands, but Terry knew how to tie knots, as his hands and feet wouldn’t move, despite his wrists being slick with blood. His gaze followed the creaking door as it swung open. His stomach plummeted, and a sickening fear filled him. Maybe Terry was coming back to finish the job. This time adding the second bucket of water he’d threatened. Let it be swift. Just please get Jacqui away from here unharmed.
