Hunted

by Heather Atkinson

  “My…babies,” were her last words.

  When Katia stopped breathing the woman began chest compressions.

  CHAPTER 24

  “Bad, very bad, bad, very bad,” whispered the voice.

  Ryan lay still listening to Orion babble to himself, the sound accompanied by a strange gurgle. Ryan smiled inwardly. He must have done Actaeon some damage. If he couldn’t kill him that was the second best thing.

  Orion must have realised he was awake because Ryan was violently shaken.

  Ryan’s eyes rolled open, the sight of Orion’s red, tear-streaked face right before his sickening him.

  “What the fuck have you done to him?” cried Orion. “He can’t breathe properly.”

  He dragged Ryan upright, grabbed the back of his head and thrust his face towards Actaeon, who lay on his back, lips turning blue, fighting to breathe, chest jumping with rapid, shallow breaths.

  “Looks like I damaged something in his neck. Couldn’t have happened to a nicer person,” he smirked.

  The blow to the side of the face was unexpected and knocked him onto his front. Ryan grunted and pushed himself up onto all fours. Contrary to what he’d expected, Orion packed a hard punch.

  “He needs medical help. You’ll have to take him to hospital,” said Ryan, spying a way out of this mess. “If he doesn’t get professional help he’ll die.”

  “They’ll ask questions, they’ll want to know what happened,” he wailed like an overgrown baby.

  “It’s the only way to save your friend. Come clean.”

  Orion’s eyes narrowed nastily. “You’re hoping they’ll find out what we’ve done and rescue you but I swear to almighty God you are not getting out of this alive. Bastard,” he yelled, hitting him round the side of the head.

  Still woozy from the drugs Ryan was unable to defend himself and he was knocked onto his front again.

  “Bastard, bastard,” repeated Orion, punching him with his fists, Ryan twisting his body so his back absorbed the powerful blows.

  An increase in the gurgling noise had Orion turning his attention from Ryan back to Actaeon.

  “It’s okay bud, I’m here,” said Orion, taking his hand, tears standing out in his eyes. His lower lip wobbled. “What do I do?”

  Ryan managed to drag himself back up again but no matter how much he told his legs to move they refused to respond, so he was forced to sit on his backside while these two psychos decided his fate.

  “Okay, I understand,” said Orion, solemnly nodding his head.

  Ryan was at a loss as to how he’d understood Actaeon’s series of grunts and gurgles but it seemed he had.

  “I’m going to hunt you alone. You’re not going to stop our work,” yelled Orion, drawing back his fist to punch Ryan.

  When Actaeon released another gurgle he lowered his fist. “I won’t let you down,” he told his accomplice.

  He stalked to a cupboard in the corner and yanked the door open. Ryan felt sure he was going to pull out a weapon but instead he took out a bottle of water and returned to Actaeon’s side. He raised the man’s head and held the bottle to his lips. Actaeon tried to drink but had trouble swallowing and the water dribbled back out of his mouth and onto the floor.

  “Don’t die, please don’t die,” whispered Orion, cradling him and rocking him back and forth.

  “He will if you don’t get him some help,” said Ryan. “Do you think he can live for much longer without being able to breathe properly?”

  “If you don’t shut it you’re going to get a good idea of how he’s feeling,” glowered Orion, a tear sliding down his fat cheek. “We’ve been friends since we were kids, he’s always been there for me. I’m not losing him,” he cried, tilting his face upwards.

  “Then take him to hospital. You have no choice.”

  Actaeon spasmed in protest, using the rest of his body to communicate because he couldn’t use his voice.

  “Don’t worry, I won’t let him spoil things for us,” said Orion, patting his accomplice’s shoulder.

  “He’s going to die Orion, then you’ll be all alone,” said Ryan quietly. “You won’t like that, will you?”

  “Shut up,” he barked. “Just you wait till he’s back on his feet. He’ll fucking do you.”

  “I thought I would be dead by then?” replied Ryan casually, arching an eyebrow. “You said you were going to hunt me alone, remember?”

  “Then he’ll do your family instead.”

  Ryan’s gaze darkened.

  “We leave the families alone if the prey behaves but you haven’t. You’ve hurt Actaeon so we’re going to hurt your wife and kids.”

  As Orion continued to throw threats about Ryan’s mind was calculating the distance between the two of them, whether the chain was long enough to wrap around his fat neck. No, it wasn’t. He was purposefully keeping out of reach, so he wouldn’t share his friend’s fate. The bastard was smarter than he’d given him credit for but he was very emotionally disturbed. Push him in the right direction and he might crumble, but push him in the wrong direction and he might snap. This required a delicate balancing act if he was going to get out of here alive.

  Orion was openly weeping over his struggling friend, tears and snot running down his face and dripping from his prominent chin in a disgusting mix. He pressed one hand to his face, sausage-like fingers splayed out across the wobbly pink skin. Ryan wondered if he’d consumed his victims, if the reason for his obesity was his propensity for human flesh. Ryan’s stomach rolled over and he closed his eyes, willing his stomach contents to stay down.

  He leaned back against the wall, enjoying how cool it felt, concentrating on keeping the remains of John Owen inside him.

  Beth found all this frightening. She’d always been excluded from these emergency meetings before but this time it was personal and not business, which was the only reason she was being included and she really didn’t like it. She hated the less than legal talk, the threat of violence hanging in the air, Rachel’s obvious pain and distress. They were all talking in fervent whispers because Rick, Gill and the three children were in the next room, which only made everything seem more covert and wrong. The press had congregated at the bottom of the drive too. Word had got round about Ryan being kidnapped by a serial killer - no doubt leaked by someone at the police station - which was only piling on the pressure. Mikey and Jez had been out when they’d started to appear so Rachel had called them and told them to stay away from the house knowing the last thing they’d want was their photos and names splashed all over the papers. She’d arranged for them to stay in a hotel she owned instead.

  Jules was again trying to convince Rachel to bypass the police and do things her way and Rachel was starting to waver.

  “Leave it to the police,” said Beth. “They know what they’re doing.”

  “Aren’t you sweet and innocent,” retorted Jules.

  “Leave her alone,” said Riley.

  “I’m just trying to make the point that the police can’t find their arses with a fucking map and compass. They’ve done nothing so far. If they had then Ryan would be here safe and sound. This is their fuck up and leaving it in their hands will only lead to one conclusion and that won’t be good for Ryan.”

  “She has a point,” said Rachel who was starting to like her sister-in-law more and more. She was a woman of action and she respected that. Plus she’d got closer than anyone to finding who had taken Ryan.

  The sound of a car outside had them all rushing to the window.

  “Not that tosser again,” grumbled Jules when she saw Ashley climbing out of an unmarked police car.

  “Be nice,” said Rachel.

  The press at the gates went into overdrive when she opened the door to him. She just ignored them and once Ashley was inside she hastily shut the door.

  Rachel held her breath as she faced Ashley, convinced he’d come with news. “Anything?”

  “Sorry Rachel, no. I’ve got my officers looking into the tranquiliser gun l
ead but it’ll take time.”

  “For fuck’s sake Ashley, we don’t have any more time,” she yelled. His eyes widened in surprise and she took a deep breath. “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay. You’re under a lot of pressure.”

  “Have you learnt anything from Daniel Tebbs’s body? How long does the killer keep them alive?”

  “The body was far too decomposed to tell.”

  “You mean you know absolutely nothing about this killer or killers,” scowled Rachel.

  “Actually we do but I’m not at liberty to reveal it.”

  “If you’d listened to the victims’ families and done something about this sooner we might not be here now and Ryan would be home, where he belongs,” she thundered.

  Ashley stared at her in amazement. He’d never seen Rachel like this before. Her eyes had rolled over jet black and, despite her very obvious rage, the coldness in those eyes was unnerving. He knew he was seeing Rachel Maguire, gangster, a woman who had ordered people killed, who had run a drugs empire and demolished anyone who’d got in her way. In his quiet country policing career he’d never come across anything like her and she scared the crap out of him.

  “I’m sorry,” was all he could say.

  “Rach, take it easy,” said Riley.

  Ashley wished he could be at ease with this black-eyed creature as her brother-in-law looked. Rachel hissed out a sigh of frustration and turned her back. Her shoulders shook with the effort of restraining herself and when she turned back round she was once again Rachel Law, the legitimate business woman and loving wife and mother. Ashley thought it was the creepiest thing he’d ever seen and his crush on her was eradicated in an instant. He’d never look at her the same way again.

  The front door burst open and Battler and Bruiser charged in excitedly.

  “We’ve got it,” cried Battler excitedly. He saw Ashley and his smile fell. “Oh crap.”

  “It’s okay Battler. Tell us what you’ve got,” said Rachel.

  “Brian Crossly purchased a tranquiliser rifle fourteen months ago from a shop in Exeter. That wasn’t his first, he’d already bought one three years before that. He probably thought no one would work out what weapon he was using so he didn’t bother to cover his tracks,” he said with an admiring glance at Jules, whose lips twitched into a smile.

  “Well done,” said Rachel, feeling breathless with hope. “What do we know about this Brian Crossly? Where does he live?”

  “I’ve got all that information,” said Battler. “Let’s go.”

  “Wait,” called Ashley. “You can’t just go charging in there, we need to do this properly. God only knows what other artillery he’s got.”

  “They,” interjected Jules angrily. “He’s not working alone. How many times do I have to bloody repeat myself?”

  “Do you know Brian?” Rachel asked Ashley.

  “I do. He’s a ranger on Dartmoor.”

  “He’s a what?” exclaimed Rachel and Jules simultaneously.

  Ashley released a groan and slapped a hand to his forehead, chastising himself for not thinking of him sooner. “He’s a ranger as well as an experienced hunter.”

  “Daniel Tebbs worked as a ranger on Dartmoor,” said Battler, “and Luke Jones liked to go walking there.”

  “Crossly hangs about with Gerard Kerrell, who’s also big into hunting, they’re inseparable,” said Ashley.

  “Gerard Kerrell the builder?” said Rachel.

  “The builder who built the annex here…”

  “…where Daniel Tebbs was found,” she ended for him.

  “Jesus, we spoke to him. Ryan came with us,” said Battler. “He seemed so normal, he was the one who put us onto Chris Marsh.”

  “To distract you, obviously,” said Jules. She shook her head. “Amateurs.”

  “We’ll play the blame game later, let’s go,” said Bruiser, surprising everyone.

  “Hold it right there, you are not police officers,” said Ashley when they all charged for the door.

  “Thank fuck,” muttered Jules.

  “None of you are. I’ll call for back-up, we’ll search both Crossly and Kerrell’s homes as well as any other buildings they own.”

  “We can’t just stay here and do nothing,” said Riley as Ashley strode for the door.

  Ashley stopped and turned. “I am not having a bunch of amateurs stumbling into this and messing up any chance of a conviction. We do this by the book or so help me God I’ll do you all for obstruction.”

  “But,” began Riley.

  “No,” Ashley called over his shoulder before exiting, slamming the door shut behind him.

  “Don’t tell me we’re going to listen to that dick?” said Jules.

  “No we’re not,” said Rachel. “The police are searching their homes and any buildings they own but I think Ryan’s up on the moor.”

  “I agree,” said Jules. “They’re hunting him, it’s the perfect place, so they’ll keep him nearby.”

  “Do the rangers have huts or anything?” said Rachel, looking at Battler.

  “I don’t think so but I’ll find out which sector Crossly covers,” he replied. “If he does have Ryan up there he’ll keep him on his own territory, he won’t want to run the risk of another ranger finding him.”

  “Get on it, now,” said Rachel, turning her attention back to the map, studying the area covered by the park, instinct telling her Ryan was there. He was so close.

  Battler had the information they so desperately needed in four minutes. “Crossly’s sector covers part of the Dartmoor Forest area as well as North Bovey.”

  “Forest,” said Riley. “It’s remote and perfect for hunting.” He looked out of the window. “Full moon, no wind. Perfect conditions.”

  “Let’s get up there,” said Rachel, already pulling on her jacket. She rushed into the living room. “We think we know where he is.”

  Gill, Rick and Leah all looked at her hopefully. “Have you told the police?”

  “They’re checking out the suspect’s houses but we don’t think he’s there, we think he’s in Dartmoor Forest.”

  “You’re not going up there?” said Gill. “It’s so dangerous and what if you get lost or injured?”

  “I won’t. I’ll have a lot of back-up,” she said, nodding at the others.

  Rick put a hand on his wife’s arm when she attempted to protest again. “Go bring him home sweetheart.”

  She kissed them all one by one. “I will.”

  “Beth, you’re staying here,” said Riley when she followed them all to the door. “Please, for me,” he added when she looked annoyed.

  She couldn’t resist his pleading eyes, knew he was only concerned for her safety. He had enough to do without worrying about her. “Okay.”

  “Thank you,” he smiled, kissing her before following the others outside.

  “They’ll be fine,” said Rick, getting up and putting an arm around her shoulders. They watched from the window as they all jumped into Battler’s four by four and set off with a screech of tyres.

  Inside the vehicle Rachel checked her taser was in working order and Jules stroked the knives in their sheaths. Battler drove while Bruiser got on the phone to Mikey and Jez to tell them where to meet them. As they drove past the press gathered at the gates Rachel thought they were fortunate Battler’s vehicle had tinted glass.

  Riley checked the night vision goggles. “I had a feeling these would come in handy,” he said solemnly. “Ever used them before?”

  Jules nodded. “Jasper liked to use them in bed.” When they all looked at her incredulously she added, “don’t ask.”

  “I wasn’t going to,” said Bruiser.

  The corner of Jules’s mouth twitched. “I can always get him to talk.”

  “Can we please focus?” said Rachel. “Now, what’s the best way of tracking two serial killers and getting Ryan out safely in a forest in the dark?”

  “We need to split up,” said Riley.

  “Not a good
idea. We’re stronger together,” said Battler from the driving seat.

  “There’s too much ground to cover and as a group we’d make too much noise,” replied Riley. “Groups of two will move much more stealthily, converging on one location.”

  “Like a pincer movement,” said Jules. “Like it.”

  “Battler and Bruiser, obviously, Mikey and Jez, me and Jules. Rachel, you might be best waiting in the car.”

  “I love you Riley but you can get to fuck,” she said.

  “Ryan won’t want us dragging you in there.”

  “You’re not dragging me because I’m going to run in willingly. He’s my husband and I’m going to get him out.”

  “I don’t think…”

  “We’ve never kept Rachel out of anything,” said Battler. “No matter how bad its got she’s been in the thick of it. She can take care of herself.”

  “Thank you Battler,” she said.

  “Remember what happened last time?” said Riley, gesturing to her neck.

  “I was taken by surprise then. I can handle this Riley. Anyone who tries to stop me is going to get a taser up their arse.”

  Her eyes were jet black, melding in with the gathering darkness, voice icy cold and steady.

  “Okay,” sighed Riley. “In that case you can come with me and Jules.”

  “Good,” she said, glowering through the window.

  Rachel tuned the rest of them out and focused on keeping herself calm, resisting the urge to tap her foot. She attempted to push all emotion aside, she had to be cool and professional about this because if she charged in there out of control she would be no use to anyone and she’d put Ryan in even more danger.

  Please be alive, please be alive, she prayed over and over. He’d come for her so many times. She would not let him down.

  CHAPTER 25

  Orion’s frantic pacing and mumbling had trailed off as darkness approached and now he was as still as a statue, rigid and unblinking in a corner of the room, his breathing harsh and heavy. Ryan knew he was psyching himself up for the hunt, revelling in the thought of what was to come.