No way.
“Give Corky your sister-in-law’s name and any information you have on her. He’ll find Rainey for you. Won’t you, Corky?”
The round-faced man on the screen nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah, ’course. No probs. You can rely on old Corky. Finding people’s part of what he does. Easy-peasy, lemon … Well, you know.”
Kaine stood and signalled for Danny to follow him to the corner of the room, while Corky coaxed as much information on Rainey Prentiss as he could from a distraught Marian Prentiss.
They stood close together watching the interaction between the hacker and recently bereaved woman. Corky’s manner and his gentle encouragement was a revelation. Who knew he had such compassion?
Danny turned his back to the TV screen and Marian Prentiss.
“Sorry for dragging you into this mess, Captain.”
“Happy to help, Danny. You’ve done the same for me often enough.”
“Thanks, Captain. And about the way I spoke for you just then.” He winced. “I should have checked with you first. Chain of command, that sort of thing.”
Kaine arched an eyebrow. “Danny, it’s like I said earlier. This is your operation. I’m here as your crew. You’re in command.”
“What?”
“You heard me, Sergeant. Now, what’s our next move?”
Danny’s wide-eyed stare was a picture. He hesitated, clearly unprepared for his latest promotion and his new role.
“C’mon, Danny. Pull yourself together. What’s next?”
“Um. Right. Secure the site and move the principal to a place of safety?”
Kaine frowned. “I saw what you did in the kitchen. Smashed window and door. Might not be easy to secure this place without a team of builders and a whole load of time. Nice work, by the way. You against three armed thugs? Handled the situation well.”
In a heap by the sofa, Pataki still hadn’t moved and, given the blood loss and the treatment Danny just delivered, Kaine wouldn’t have been surprised if he never moved again. At least not of his own volition.
“I had surprise on my side, sir. We probably won’t have that next time.”
“You’re certain there’ll be a next time?”
“Aren’t you?”
Kaine raised an eyebrow. “Just making sure we’re on the same page.”
“Danny?” Corky shouted. “Corky’s found Rainey Prentiss. She lives in Grantham alright. It’s about fifty miles from where you are right now.”
“Thanks, Corky,” Danny said, closing on the TV screen.
To Kaine’s intense relief, Marian Prentiss concentrated on Danny, pretty much ignoring Kaine and Corky. She’d clearly identified Danny as the leader, her saviour. Good. The deeper she fell under Danny’s spell, the better it would be for her. Focusing on Danny minimised the chances of her recognising him as Ryan Kaine. It also meant she’d react quickly and unquestioningly to his instructions. It would help them keep her alive.
“Can you email me her address?” Danny asked.
“Already done that. Programmed it into your GPS app, too. You ain’t gonna get lost. Not when Corky’s got your back.”
“Thanks, buddy,” Danny said. “By the way, a couple of weekends back, I spent a few hours chewing the fat with Cough and Stinko.”
“You did?” Corky asked.
Kaine raised an eyebrow. First he’d heard of it.
“Yep. They kept banging on about how boring life had been for them since Southampton, now they’re working a low-paid security gig in Dudley.”
“That right?”
“It is, indeed. Would you mind sending them an invite to join us at Rainey Prentiss’ place?”
He glanced at Kaine, who nodded his approval at the excellent idea. If Danny hadn’t thought of it for himself, Kaine would have asked Corky to find some warm bodies to strengthen their team. No telling the full extent of the enemy forces they faced. A bunch of wild Magyars wandering around the UK fully armed and happy to kill anyone standing in their way were not exactly the most amenable of tourists.
In any military operation, there was no such thing as being over prepared and, as regular members of Kaine’s volunteer army, Ashley “Cough” Coughlin and Stefan “Stinko” Stankovic would bolster the defence team really well. And as for the defensive arrangements, Kaine had just thought of something.
“Mind if I make a suggestion, Sergeant?” he asked.
“Go ahead, Griffin,” Danny replied, showing more confidence.
Inwardly, Kaine grinned. It hadn’t taken long for Danny to grow into his leadership role. His temporary leadership role.
“Even if Cough and Stefan are both free and leave right away, it’ll take them two or three hours to reach Grantham at this time of day. And, the fastest route to Grantham from Dudley will take them pretty close to us here.”
Danny nodded, picking up on Kaine’s meaning quickly enough.
“On top of which,” Kaine added, “we have no idea how defensible Rainey Prentiss’ place might be, or whether the Hungarians already have her address. Truth is, we don’t have any idea what intel they have.”
Marian Prentiss flinched but Danny raised his hand and gave her an encouraging nod.
“You never know,” Kaine said, eyeing the TV, “they may have access to a Hungarian Corky of their very own.”
The English Corky barked out a derisive cough.
“Yeah, like that’s ever gonna happen. There’s only one Corky, Mr … G. And you know it.”
Danny shot a look at the nicely dressed but crumpled heap on the floor. He ran his fingers through his thick, muddy blond hair, raking the wavy locks from his eyes. “Good thinking, Griffin. This place might be easier to defend until backup arrives. You hear that, Corky?”
“Sure did, Danny. Or should Corky be addressing you as Mr P since you’re calling the shots now?”
Danny sighed and shook his head in irritation.
Business as usual from the hacking imp.
“Call me whatever you want, Corky. So long as you keep helping, I’m happy. Do you mind directing Cough and Stinko to us here, please? Tell them to drop everything and floor it.”
“Yep. Already on it, Mr P.” His accompanying chuckle made the situation feel just like old times.
“Thanks, Corky. Tell them I’ll see them right. Full pay, normal bonus rates.”
Again, Danny glanced across for approval, and again, Kaine gave it. Anyone who worked with them on any sort of operation whether for The 83 or not, was entitled to proper reward for their efforts and compensation for any lost income.
They were engaged in a war with a Hungarian mob who were prepared to pay one and a half million euros for the “legitimate” ownership of an English haulage company. Holding Marian Prentiss hostage was the only way they could force Robbie Prentiss to sell up. It also showed that the Patakis weren’t short of funding. Somewhere along the line, there would probably be an opportunity to reduce the Hungarians’ bank account even further and add to his team’s retirement fund.
On top of everything else, Marian Prentiss would need a healthy nest egg to see her through the oncoming bad times. Kaine saw no reason why the Hungarians shouldn’t dip their bloodstained hands into their pockets to pay for it.
“Sergeant,” Kaine said, “want me to secure the house as best I can? No telling when the next wave’s going to arrive.”
Given the lack of response to any phone calls Vadik Pataki might have made to his half-brother, the next wave might already be rolling on its way to Prentiss House.
“Yes please, Griffin. I’ll help Marian pack.”
Danny helped her up from the sofa. She gripped his arm tight, unsteady on her feet.
“We’ll need to travel light,” he continued. “One case. Essentials only. You might need your passport and all your bank cards. Just in case.”
Kaine held the door open for them. As they passed, Marian Prentiss stopped and looked at him. They were of similar height and she didn’t have to lift her head.
“You’re not from the police, are you?”
Kaine tilted his head. “Actually, Mrs Prentiss, I am. In a manner of speaking.” He ignored Danny’s quizzical frown.
For once, Kaine wasn’t lying. He’d spent the early part of the morning with DCI Jones—in a roundabout way, he had indeed just come “from the police”.
On the floor, the small blond creature groaned.
Marian Prentiss whimpered and squeezed closer to Danny, and he hurried her from the room.
Left alone, Kaine turned his full attention to the diminutive thug.
“Hello, Lajos, old chap,” he said, his delivery mocking. “Enjoy your little nap? Hope you’re feeling a little stronger. You and I are long overdue our little chat.”
Rubbing his hands together and baring his teeth in a predatory grin, Kaine approached the incapacitated, would-be assassin.
Lajos Pataki tried to scurry away, but his legs refused to work properly, and he flopped back against the side of the sofa. For once, fear reached his blotched, sweaty face, and terror filled his pale blue eyes.
Kaine allowed his smile to grow.
Lajos Pataki whimpered.
Chapter Nine
Wednesday 3rd May – Morning
Amber Valley, Derbyshire, UK
Kaine took two steps towards his terrified prisoner, but paused. It might be better to let him stew for a little longer. Gain some strength, soak up a little more pain. Let the fear work its magic on what was left of Lajos Pataki’s resistance.
Still grinning, Kaine held up a finger in a “be with you in a moment” gesture.
“Corky?” he said, half-turning to the screen and keeping one eye on his prisoner.
“Yes, Mr K? … Er, sorry. I mean, yes, Mr G?”
“That’s okay, Corky. No need to keep up the pretence. You can call me Mr K in front of this piece of filth.” He kicked Pataki’s bloody ankle and the pallid man squealed. “He won’t be in a position to tell anyone anything he learns here.”
That’s it. Build the pressure.
Crunched up against the side of the sofa, Pataki had taken up his earlier position, cradling his injured arm with his good one, injured leg stretched out in front, ankle still oozing the red stuff. Although the nasty-looking elbow wound had stopped bleeding—thanks to the tourniquet—the white-skinned man seemed even paler than before, almost translucent. Although it could have been a trick of the light.
“So, Mr K,” Corky said, “you wanted something?”
“Yes please. Do you have time for a little show and tell?”
The chubby hacker frowned for a moment before the message got through. “Ah, right. You want to see Robbie P’s … er, you know, his demise?”
“If you don’t mind. Now Mrs Prentiss is out of the room, I’d like to see exactly what happened.”
Corky’s face scrunched up again.
“It ain’t pretty, Mr K.” He looked away and started tapping at a keyboard out of shot.
Lajos Pataki’s eyelids drooped and his chin fell towards his chest. Kaine kicked his ankle again. The man’s head jerked upright, and his bloodless face creased in pain. Lajos blubbered but didn’t seem to have enough fight left in him to scream or curse.
“Stay awake, Lajos. I’ll have some questions for you in a minute.”
“Okay, Mr K. Here we go.”
The window containing Corky’s face minimised and slipped up to the top left-hand quadrant of the TV screen, to be replaced with another, larger window. A still image of Robert Prentiss’ worried, concentrating face filled the screen. He was alive, but not for long. The clock at the top showed 10:37:42.
“This is the film rewound to ninety seconds before the … event. Want to see what happens next?”
“Please.” Kaine nodded.
“Right you are, Mr K.”
The clock started clicking forwards at normal speed.
Robert Prentiss blinked, his eyes fixed on the screen of his laptop, completely unaware that his computer’s built-in camera was live, watching the watcher. He licked his lips. Sweat shone on his forehead, dripped into his eyes. He blinked again. Wiped his eyes with the back of a trembling hand. The man was terrified. As though he could foretell his immediate future.
Behind him, a shadowy figure moved closer to the screen, became clearer. Dark-skinned with wavy, shoulder-length hair and a closely trimmed beard, he rose from a seat in the corner and appeared at Prentiss’ side, standing over him. Predatory.
Lajos Pataki’s half-brother peered at the screen, also blissfully unaware of the spy in the box. He grinned, leaned closer to his prey. Prentiss tried to squirm away, but Vadik grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and pulled him close enough for their heads to touch.
“Where are you going to, my friend?” Vadik snarled, his voice deep and guttural. “Relax. It will not be long now.”
From his small window at the top of the screen, Corky raised a hand before speaking. “They’re watching the funds transfer from Hungary. It’s nearly complete. Yep. And that’s the final confirmation. Watch what happens next.”
Kaine didn’t need the commentary, or any encouragement. He focused his full attention on Vadik Pataki’s actions, and his blank expression as he carried them out.
“That is it,” Vadik said, releasing his hold on Robert Prentiss’ neck and pushing him away. “You are now totally debt free, my friend. And my family are the proud new owners of Prentiss Haulage Limited. And what is more, everything is legal and above board. Although, pretty soon, I think we will change name of company to Pataki Haulage Limited. It is good name, yes?”
Vadik stood tall. He towered over the seated Robert Prentiss, who had to crane his neck to look up.
“Can I go now? You said Marian and I would be safe—”
“Yes, Robert.” Vadik nodded and dropped his left hand on Prentiss’ right shoulder, patting it like they were old friends about to part ways.
“All is good, my friend. We are finished now. There is only one thing left to do.”
He pointed at the screen. Prentiss turned to look, a puzzled frown on his sweaty face.
Vadik removed his hand from Prentiss’ shoulder and leaned away. His right hand came into shot, holding a Beretta. He held his free hand up to shield his face from the splatter, pressed the muzzle against Prentiss’ temple, and pulled the trigger.
Robert Prentiss’ head blew apart, blood and brain matter flew, spraying the screen with glistening droplets of red and solid pieces of grey and white. The corpse slumped forwards onto the desk.
One good thing. Prentiss didn’t see it coming.
An unmoved Vadik Pataki took a white handkerchief from the breast pocket of his smart jacket and wiped the Beretta clean of his prints. He sniffed, took Prentiss’ lifeless hand, and folded the fingers around the grip, making sure each was in the correct place. Once happy with his work, he dropped the hand to the desk. The lifeless fingers loosened and the Beretta slipped free, the smoking muzzle pointing at Prentiss’ damaged head.
Vadik Pataki sniffed again. He stood back to admire his handiwork and nodded.
“Sorry, Robert, my friend,” he said, voice flat, emotionless. “Losing control of your business was simply too much for you. A great pity for such a young man with such a beautiful wife, and so much to live for.”
Without a backwards glance, Vadik Pataki turned and left the room, his job done.
From the time he raised the gun and took Robert Prentiss’ life to leaving the office, Vadik Pataki’s expression hadn’t changed. He wore the lifeless face of a killer.
“That,” Corky said, expanding his window over the top of the other, “is one cold mother.”
“Any idea where he is now?”
“Not exactly. Corky’s been searching the traffic cams, but not had any luck so far. One thing’s for certain, he ain’t in the Prentiss’ Range Rover. That big beauty’s still parked in the same spot they left it. Vadik must have changed motors.”
“Thanks for that insig
ht, Corky.”
“Maybe that white-faced arsehole knows where his brother is.” Corky pointed to the injured Lajos Pataki who was still bleeding all over the rug. “Whatcha reckon?”
“He might do, Corky. Let’s find out, shall we?”
Kaine fixed the predatory smile back on his face and spun to face the cowering man.
“Right then, Lajos. Are you ready for our little chat?”
Chapter Ten
Wednesday 3rd May – Danny Pinkerton
Amber Valley, Derbyshire, UK
In the doorway to the Prentiss’ master bedroom, Danny waited. Marian needed more time than they had to spare, but he didn’t have the heart to rush her. She stood at the foot of the bed, staring at the dents in the pillows, head shaking, chin trembling. Close to losing it again.
“R-Robbie and I’ve only just finished decorating in here. H-He’s never coming back, is he? … Oh God, what am I going to do?”
Marian threw herself on the bed, pulled one of the pillows to her chest, hugged it as tight as she’d held onto Danny’s arm while they climbed the stairs. Moments later, she raised the pillow to her face and took in its scent as though it held the essence of her husband.
Much more of this and he’d start choking up, but there was no time to dwell or to offer sympathy. Her life depended on him and the captain.
Danny approached the bed.
“Do you have a favourite bag?”
Lame. Bloody lame.
She lifted her head from the pillow. “Sorry?”
“Your bags. Where are they?”
“Handbags? I …”
“No, your suitcases. You need to pack one overnight bag so we’re ready to leave when my people … my friends arrive.”
My people! What am I, a gang boss?
“We’re leaving?”
She couldn’t have fully understood his conversation with the captain.
“Yes. It’s too dangerous for you to stay here.”
“But I don’t want to leave. This is our home.” Her face crumpled once more. “My home. This is my home.”
“Sorry Marian, we have to leave soon, but it won’t be for long.”
On the Hunt Page 8
