by Leo James
He waited.
######
Beth arrived back at the house. She reversed the car onto the drive, grabbed two plastic shopping bags and her handbag off the seat, got out of the car, opened the front door of the house and went inside to turn off the alarm. As she walked back to close the front door, he rushed towards her, grabbed her blouse with his left hand and thrust the palm of his right hand into her face, pushing her back into the narrow hallway. The plastic bags dropped to the floor and the contents; toiletries, sun-cream, wet-wipes and sweets were strewn across the hallway. He flicked the door closed with his right ankle. Beth tried to scream, but he pushed his right palm with force over her mouth, and pushed her down to the floor, landing on top of her, knocking her handbag and keys onto the floor. She could not breathe and instinctively thrust her knee between his legs. Beth's action caused him to roll off her, writhing in pain. She turned onto her front and spotted an umbrella and one of Jake's action men. Beth tried to get up off the floor and lurched towards the umbrella.
Quickly composing himself, he jumped on her, pinning her to the floor and put his left hand over her mouth. She tried to bite his hand. He reached into his pocket and retrieved his flick knife, and held it against Beth's neck, drawing a small amount of blood.
'Shut the fuck up or you're dead. Do you hear me?' He moved himself up to sit on Beth's back, looking like a jockey crouching forward in the home straight. Pressing on the back of her head, he kneeled on each arm, pinning both arms down to the floor, placed the knife on the floor, grabbed a tie and a roll of tape from his pocket. He pulled Beth's neck back by her hair, wrapped the tie around her head covering her mouth and tied it around the back of her head in a double knot. She tried to scream as he wrapped the tape around her nose, ears, and eyes.
He picked up his knife and yanked her hands together behind her back and wrapped tape around her wrists, then pulled Beth to her feet. 'Do as I say.' Grabbing Beth's keys he tipped the contents of Beth’s hand-bag onto the floor, spotted a travel money envelope, opened it and pocketed the Euro notes. He opened the front door, marched Beth out, opened the tailgate and bundled her into the boot of the Citroen, covered her with the dog blanket, jumped into the car, pulled off his balaclava and drove away. The Audi followed.
He made a call. ‘Follow me. If I lose you, meet at the Forge as planned. It'll take us about an hour.
######
The cars arrived together at the derelict industrial estate. They drove past two rundown units and stopped outside the third. The driver of the Citroen got out, engine running, unlocked and opened the large wrought-iron gate. Jumped back in the car and drove into the industrial unit. The Audi followed.
'Your balaclava, put it on,’ he pointed to the Audi driver as they got out of the cars. 'OK let's get her out.'
They dragged her out of the back of the estate, holding her by each arm, and marched her around to the front of the car, before wrapping more tape, this time around her ankles. He untied the gag covering her mouth which drew her expression in agony, but not over her own pain.
'What do you want?' Beth tried to compose herself and waited for a response… 'Who are you? What do you want with me?' She tried not to cry. Blood caked her knife wound, forming smudged streaks down her neck.
One of the men stood back and took photos using his iPhone before they re-gagged her mouth, dragged her along the concrete floor further into the derelict workshop and planted her against a pillar.
'OK, let's go.'
The Audi driver backed out of the unit, followed by the Citroen. The Citroen driver stopped outside, closed the unit’s wrought-iron gate, jumped back in the car and followed the Audi over to a patch of waste ground. He got out of the Citroen and walked over to the boot of the Audi, took out a silver-cased box and opened it, pulled out a small electrical device, retrieved a second metal box and opened it to reveal two sticks of dynamite. He connected the two items, placed the device on the back seat of Beth's car and jumped into the Audi. They drove about a hundred feet away and stopped.
'She's a good-looking bird. I'd shag her all right.'
'Shut the fuck up, you idiot.' He took two pictures of the Citroen and switched to another app on his phone.
'I'll give it ten seconds.' He pressed on the screen of his iPhone. The Citroen exploded, and fire consumed the car.
He took another couple of photos. Then using WhatsApp he composed a message containing the pictures of Beth and the Citroen in flames. He sent it off then placed a call, ‘It’s done. I’ve sent over the photos? How long do you want us leave her? - OK, we will wait to hear from you.’
He turned to the driver. ’Right, done. We leave her. Let's get out of here, we're done for now.’
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
Thursday 4th June
STEVE WAS TRYING WITHOUT success to get some sleep. It was just after midnight when he heard Adam call him and immediately jumped out of bed, slipped on some shorts and tee shirt and ran into the lounge.
Adam looked concerned, he showed Steve his phone. It contained a photo of a person standing next to a car, hands and legs tied, and read: “They have taken Mr Roussos's wife. Do you want my help?”
Steve could not contain his anger. 'Oh no. It's Beth. What have they done?'
Adam shook his head. 'It is a blocked Malaysian caller ID. Prem must be behind this. I am so sorry. What can I do?'
Mai came into the room and looked at the picture.
'Let me think. Send the photo to my phone? I must go home to find her.’ Steve’s chest was thumping, and it felt like a clamp was crushing his skull.
'Oh no.' Mai welled up.
A bombardment of thoughts hit Steve. 'Need to find the geolocation.' He opened the photo, saved it and looked at the metadata.
'Shall I call my brother? I can do as he says if he releases your wife.'
Adam's phone beeped again, and he opened the message. This time it contained a picture of Beth's car and another of the car with flames exuding from all sides. This time the message read - “She is next. Do you want my help?”
Steve raised his arms above his head and screamed. 'I'll kill him. I'll fucking kill him. If it's the last thing I do.'
Adam looked horrified. 'I am so sorry. What can I do?’
Mai found it difficult to stop the tears. ‘I hope your wife will be ok. Your brother will pay for this Adam.'
'What can we do?' pleaded Adam.
Mai composed herself. 'I do not know but he must pay. He must pay for what he has done.'
Steve froze. He could not speak.
Beth. My Beth. How can I save her? I must do what he wants. My kids! Are they ok? What have I done?
Steve composed himself and opened the picture that Adam had just sent him. He opened the metadata on the photo and looked at the details. He could see the location timestamp - 11:49:16 UK time - over four hours ago. This caused him to experience a panic attack; he could not breathe.
He pulled himself together. ’I need to contact the police and Roger.' He left the room.
######
'Detective Inspector Power, it's Steve Roussos. Help me please. They've taken my wife, and my kids are not safe.'
'Your wife?'
'Yes, I need you to find my wife and protect my kids. I'm still in Malaysia, trying to help you prove they murdered David Morris.'
Steve used his phone to email the GeoLocation information he had gathered from the photos.
Detective Inspector Power, the details – it's a location near Dagenham, Please help!
Map Link: 53.354880,-4.366942†
SceneCaptureType: Standard
SceneType: Directly Photographed
Altitude: 51.38259833134684m
AltitudeRef: Above sea level
DestBearing: 90.56474820143885
ImgDirection: 90.5648°= East
ImgDirectionRef: True North
Latitude: 53.35488
LatitudeRef: N
Longitude: 4.366941666666666
&nb
sp; LongitudeRef: W
Speed: 0
SpeedRef: km/h
TimeStamp: 11:49:16
FileName: IMG_5492.JPG
FileSize: 2.74004 MB
Thank you, Steve
‘It looks like Beth is indoors in the photo, in some kind of factory unit,’ Steve said.
The Detective Inspector took details of the children's school and Steve's home address. Steve also provided Roger’s details so that he could help with the children.
Steve paused to think once off the call.
'Adam, contact your brother. Tell him we will meet him in Penang,’ Steve said.
'Are you sure? This could be a trap,’ Mai said.
Steve nodded. 'I need to do something. I'll be back soon.'
Steve felt numb. He chose not to tell Mai or Adam his intentions.
Where is my Beth? Prem will not get away with this. I’ll fucking kill him! Meeting is dangerous. But I need to do this.
######
Steve left the room and made a call. 'Can I talk to Chief Commissioner Kassim?'
'Who is calling please?'
'Steve Roussos.'
After a short wait. 'Kassim.'
'Chief Commissioner, it's Steve Roussos.'
'Mr Roussos, what can I do for you?'
‘I’ll wear a wire.'
'Are you sure you want to do this?’
'Yes, I'm certain. He has taken my wife.’
‘Your wife?’
‘Yes, in the UK. He has kidnapped her.’
‘Have you contacted the UK police?’
‘Yes they are searching for her. I know it’s dangerous but I have to meet him. But I want backup from your team at the meeting.’
‘Yes we will. It is a one-way wire. We will give back up, but you understand it is very dangerous?’
‘I’m fine with that,’ Steve said.
‘We will be able to hear you and respond as needed.'
'I understand. I want to stop them. I have asked to meet with Prem tomorrow morning. Can you fit the wire as soon as possible?’ Steve said.
‘I will send one of my men to you. It’s a belt transmitter. You just wear it as a normal belt. The wire is concealed behind the buckle, and activated by a micro switch concealed within the buckle. My man will show you how to use it. He should be with you by seven AM? '
‘OK, thanks.’
'Thank you, Mr Roussos.'
Steve ended the call.
What have I done? My Beth. My poor Beth. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me! I love you. I’ll always love you. I can’t believe this is happening. It’s all my fault.
Roger rang a short time later; he had spoken to the police and to his relief, his kids were at school. Roger planned to go straight over to Steve’s house to meet the police and get his kids to a safe place.
######
Adam made contact with his brother and agreed to meet him the following morning at nine AM. Steve called Chief Commissioner Kassim to let him know the time and location of the meeting. Although it was just after three AM, Kassim told Steve that one of his men would be with him within the hour, and he agreed to mobilise his team in preparation for the meeting.
Detective Inspector Power called him. The local police had found the burnt out car on a derelict wasteland. Although it was just after seven PM UK time the police had questioned some occupants of a row of local houses on the opposite side of the road to the entrance to a yard containing a group of industrial units. In addition they were trying to locate the landlord to gain access.
Steve was relieved that the police confirmed that no one was in the burnt out car although it was confirmed as Beth’s Citroen, but he was concerned that the police had not broken into the units. DI Power could not give him any reassurance that Beth was alive and well.
######
At just after five AM, one of Chief Commissioner Kassim’s men arrived to fit the wire. The officer had agreed to message Steve on his arrival. Steve met him in the corridor adjacent to the apartment entrance. Mai and Adam were in their bedrooms; Steve decided not to tell them about the wire.
He showed him how to turn it on and they agreed to a call just before Steve was due to arrive at the meeting place, so they could test that it was still transmitting.
######
Pitch black, a cold breeze flowed through the unit. The rancid oil and petrol overpowered any other lurking smells. Helpless; mouth, wrists, legs bound, her knees, ankles and back aching, her legs cramping. Trying to ease her aching body, Beth adjusted her position at regular intervals to try to get into the most comfortable position. Mouth dry, she found it increasingly hard to breathe; panic made it worse and she realised she had to stay calm if she had any chance of surviving. Wrists hurting, she shivered as a bitter raw chill crept up from the concrete floor. Steve will find me, he won’t let me die, she recycled this thought continually to give her a sense of hope. She was trying to keep alert, but at the same time struggling to stay calm as each thought about Steve, the kids, rescue made her panic and affected her breathing.
She heard the wrought-iron gate clang open and an engine running as a car entered the industrial unit. Her heart pumped rapidly with anticipation. The engine noise stopped and she could hear footsteps moving towards her, and a person pulled the tape off her eyes and gag off her mouth. The headlights pierced Beth’s eyes, causing her to close as pain hit the back of her head. Her skull felt like an eggshell. Pain funnelled into her heart. He held the back of her head and drew a bottle of water to her lips. She coughed as the water hit the back of her throat. A balaclava disguised the face of the tall man.
Her wrists and ankles still bound by tape, she said, 'Who are you? Let me go… Please.' Her voice was hoarse and faint.
The man did not respond but retrieved a plastic-wrapped sandwich from a bag, pulled off the wrapping, and pushed a sandwich triangle towards her mouth. 'Ham and cheese.’
The smell was inviting but nauseating at the same time. She was starving, but closed her mouth, refusing to eat. She bowed her head.
'Suit yourself.'
Chills chased up her back. 'My children need me. Why have you kidnapped me?’ What can I do?
'I'll let you go.'
‘Thank you… thank you. I need to go to my children.' I don't believe him. Why is he here? How long will he keep me here?
He crouched down before her. 'I'll let you go, but what will you do for me?'
'I can get you money. How much do you want?'
'I don't want your money. You're stunning.'
'Let me go.' She tried not to cry. Will I ever get out of here? I hurt. My knees. My hands.
'Don't cry, you're so beautiful. I've got money. Love to take you with me.'
Her eyes watered. Fear clenched like a tight fist around her chest. 'I'll get you anything if you let me go. Please let me go.' She gasped, short of air.
'One shag. That's all. Then you can go home.'
He wants to rape me. Beth sobbed. How do I stop him? I can't run. He is too strong for me. I can't defend myself. 'No.'
'You might enjoy it.'
'Please don't do this.' Bastard. Enjoy it! Fuck you. I'm scared. Let me think.
'Do you want to get out alive bitch?' He grabbed her shirt and pulled her towards him.
'How do I know you'll let me go?' Beth said.
I can't do this. Be strong. I must survive for my kids. What's around me?
'Well, I haven't killed you yet. Got money and I'm leaving. I'll just let you go, jump in the car and leave you.'
'No, I can't.' She inhaled sharply.
He pulled her head back using her hair as leverage. 'You do it nice, or you do it rough. You choose, bitch.'
Beth's chin hit her chest as he pulled her head forward. 'Please don't do this.'
He grabbed her by the arm, raised her to her feet and dragged her towards the car. Her shoe fell off, and she felt intense pain as her foot dragged across the concrete. Once at the car, he stood her up and faced her towards the bon
net, her shins touching the bumper.
'Stand there you bitch.' He thumped his fist on the bonnet of the car, stood behind her, reached around her waist and untied her belt, undid her button, unzipped her jeans and pulled the jeans down onto the ankle tape.
She was rigid. I have to do something.
'Nice arse.' He kneeled behind her and slapped her right buttock.
'Please don't.' Panic engulfed her as she wet herself.
He yanked the tape to release it from her wrists, and pushed her forward pinning her down onto the car bonnet. Leaning on her, he spread her arms out and pushed her head against the bonnet. Her left cheek thudded against the metal.
'Shut the fuck up bitch.' He reached either side of her waist, to pull down her panties.
Frozen rigid. My kids. I need to do something. She wilted.
'Lift your right foot bitch.' He yanked her jeans and panties off her leg, breaking the tape at the same time.
Adrenaline kicked in. Beth screamed and raised her right arm and leg twisting towards the man. She caught the side of his face with her elbow and kicked him in his thigh.
He lurched back, held his hand against the side of his face, smudging a trickle of blood. 'You fucking bitch.' She tried to get away, but he pulled her back and slammed her back down into position on the car bonnet. Her nose and left eye were bleeding.
'Open your legs bitch.' He put his hand between her legs in a downward motion, pushed her shoulders on the car bonnet and pushed his left elbow and hand into her back. Beth was silent, rigid and numb.
'Wow, I love it, bitch.' With one hand he opened his belt, undid his button and zip, pushed his jeans and pants to his ankles.
Beth held her breath. She felt weak and numb but she could struggle no more.
######
A screeching sound of tyres and sirens cascaded outside the unit gates. Within seconds the metal gate crashed open. As the man looked up, Beth raised her right leg as hard as possible, smashing between his legs. He dropped to the floor. Three police officers ran towards them, a policewoman grabbed Beth, took her away, helped pull her panties and jeans back on and wrapped her up in the officer’s police blazer. The two policemen jumped onto the man, cuffed him and read him his rights.
