The girl shrugged her shoulders in an attempt to avoid any further questions and was about to turn back towards the direction she was originally heading when Richards reached into his pocket for his ID.
“It would really help if you could remember something, anything at all”
Richards proceeded to describe them both to the girl in the hope that she might remember them without him showing her a picture. The girl nodded then pointed to the table where Wyre and Oliver were sat only hours earlier.
“Why what have they done?” asked the girl nonplussed.
“They’re both missing with the boy suspected of being kidnapped” replied Richards in a sort of sarcastic tone in the hope that it might startle the girl out of her inert state.
It seemed to work because as Richards walked towards the entrance of the museum the girl could be seen putting her hand up to her mouth in horror. He slowly walked through the large rooms that housed various artefacts looking at everything in the hope that something might give him a clue as to what happened. Passing through the first section he then reached the room where Oliver had been drawing at the desks. Again he looked around but could see nothing obvious. He continued thoughtfully but before he knew it he had reached the end and the exit which led to the café. Shaking his head Richards proceeded back through the museum for a second time. The large lion on the wall above the desks in the second room seemed fiercer looking than the first time the detective had seen it. He studied it, counting its large teeth in its gaping jaws. For a second or two Richards seemed to be staring into space, his mind and thoughts a million miles away from where he was stood. He was not looking at anything in the room even though his eyes betrayed this. His expression was blank as his gaze slowly lowered from the lion’s head to the desks dotted around the room. Again seconds ticked by before any emotion was apparent and when it was, it was one of study and concentration. This wasn’t a standard abduction by some deviant or paedophile. The boy wasn’t protesting about being led away by a stranger and the guy who had taken him was masquerading as a fellow police officer. Richards needed to find out why. The daze seemed to end as Richards bent down to pick up the half coloured drawing that was on the desk. It was very neatly coloured in but it was also only half finished. The eyes, mouth, ears and one side of the face had been coloured but whoever had been near to completing the lions head had not been given enough time to finish. Richards picked up the piece of paper and held it up against the lions head on the wall. Whoever had started this piece of art had gone to great lengths to make sure the colours were an exact match for the real thing. The detective didn’t have to guess as to who had been so specific with the colours, as their name was written very neatly in the top right hand corner.
“Oliver Davis” Richards whispered quietly to himself.
With the picture in his hand, Richards walked over towards the window to see if the light coming through would give him any clues as to where to go next. Placing it on the large window sill he studied it and let out a huge sigh. Richards was a clever man and knew he just needed time to gather his thoughts and assume the personalities of Wyre and his son Oliver. Silence filled his mind as he started into space yet again, his mind spiralling into a vortex, his head emptying of every thought. Very quickly his mind filled with a vision from his past.
It was a vision of him slumped over what looked like a sniper rifle. There was no obvious target as he seemed to be looking down into a busy square filled with locals in a foreign looking town. The figures seemed blurred as they moved slowly from left to right then suddenly the vision became clearer and it soon became obvious it wasn’t a town square but a school playground. The vision disappeared as quick as it had appeared, and Richards quickly awoke from his trance like state.
It was as though something had startled him and it had him looking through the window towards the large stone building outside. It was the huge stone court house and Richards knew it well, having to give evidence many a time to make sure the criminals he had caught served their time. Leaning and holding himself up with his elbows then his hands he was drawn to the large windows. There was no particular reason why apart from his instinct and gut feeling. He was switched on enough to realise if he could see in to the court building through these windows very clearly then it must be pretty easy to see him. Folding the piece of paper up with the drawing on, he made his way out of the library and walked next door. The security guy on the door waved him through and Richards approached one of the ushers whose job it was to show anyone who entered the court where they had to go whether they were members of the jury, witnesses or the public who would watch from the gallery.
“Hi I need to get to the part of the court with the huge windows that overlook the library and museum” asked Richards pointing in the direction he needed to go and discreetly showing his badge.
“Yes certainly follow me” replied the young guy in a sort of suit that looked like a uniform.
They walked up the huge staircase with ornate wooden bannisters and marble steps until they reached the next floor above. The usher opened the large wooden door, held it open then proceeded down a hallway adorned with huge pictures of what looked like historic figures dressed in the attire of judges. Straight away Richards knew the rooms he required to look into were through the doors on the right but the usher seemed to be walking past them until he reached the end and turned the handle of the huge hand carved wooden door. The usher turned the light on and allowed Richards to enter first. He could see straight away this wasn’t the room he needed to see so asked the usher to show him the other room they had just passed.
“Erm….I will have to ask first sir, these are always locked”
Richards nodded politely as the usher closed the door behind them then pulled out his mobile phone and drifted along the corridor to get some distance between himself and the detective. Richards immediately grew suspicious because the usher was wearing a radio and the detective questioned why he would use his phone. The usher turned around and walked back towards the door Richards wanted to enter.
“That’s the trouble with these radios the battery never lasts all day do they” said Richards smiling.
“No they’re a bloody nightmare. Someone will be here in a minute”
Richards pretended to turn away to look at the picture on the wall of some aristocrat from the 1800’s. In the corner of his eye he watched as the usher tried discreetly to turn the volume down on the radio.
“How long have you worked here then?” asked the detective trying to create a conversation with the guy as he fumbled with the button.
“Oh not long, still finding my feet so to speak”
Something had Richards feeling uneasy and his intuition was proved right when he saw the tiny green light flash on the radio that meant someone was trying to talk with the usher. This also meant the battery was fine and he was obviously full of shit. The usher didn’t seem nervous the fact that Richards had seen this, to the contrary he stared at Richards trying to make him feel uncomfortable. There was no reaction between the two of them as the door at the end of the hallway could be heard opening and the noise of footsteps on the wooden floor walking confidently towards them both. Richards stepped aside to let them pass by, but knew they would stop when they reached him. He turned to face the two guys now stood in front of him, one dressed in a suit and the other dressed more casually in jeans, shoes, a black shirt and a black leather jacket.
“And you are detective…..”
“Richards”
“And how can we help you detective?”
“I would just like to take a look in these rooms if that is possible”
“Can we ask why?”
“Let’s just say I’m curious”
“Curiosity killed the cat” replied the older guy in the suit and obviously the one in charge.
“Well I’m not a cat so I should be fine” replied Richards standing as though they were going to let him into the room any second now.
&n
bsp; “Can we ask who sent you here?” asked the older guy looking as though he was getting slightly agitated at Alex Richards’ persistence.
“Oh nobody sent me here Mr…….”
“My name is of no interest to you detective. I’m now curious because you say nobody sent you and you come alone and your reluctance to indulge in why you are here is to be honest, starting to grate on me so maybe if you tell us why you are here then maybe we can come to an arrangement to let you see the room”
Richards nodded and decided to indulge some information. He knew there was a possibility a child’s life was at risk so he couldn’t play these games all night. The guys in front of him smelt of the government and although he had not yet acknowledged it, Alex knew the older guy and knew for a fact the old guy knew him. They were both now involved in a charade. Richards was not intimidated by them but it re-enforced his uneasy feeling. According to the records Wyre Davis seemed a decent man and unbeknown to him his son was missing and if the library was included, this area was one of the last areas they were seen and could potentially be a crime scene. Why were the suits from the Government here and were the two incidents related?
“Ok you win. I’m here because a child has gone missing because his father it seemed left him in the library over there because I believe he might have seen something incriminating and didn’t want his son to be involved. I have a hunch that whatever he saw happened in here so with the help of your selves I would like to check it out and I’ll be on my way”
“I don’t know, you young detectives out to solve the big crimes and get your selves a name so you can climb the ladder…….trouble makers the lot of you”
“Well at least you’re admitting there has been a crime” smiled Richards.
At that the old guy nodded to the usher stood behind Richards to open the door. As he leant over to unlock the door the detective’s suspicions were confirmed as a weapon in a holster became visible. Richards entered and could see straight away the library window was clearly visible from this room but it probably wasn’t the best view. The room next door would have an even better angle and anyone stood in the library could easily have been seen. Alex was convinced the room next door was the one Wyre Davis had perhaps seen something happen. After spending two or three minutes checking the view from the window, Richards decided to ask a question he knew the answer to but would ask it anyway.
“Thanks guys. If I could check the room next door now”
“Don’t push it detective. I think it’s best you leave now”
Richards left the room and made his way back up the hallway but not before having the last word or two.
“I’ll be in touch Ron. Oh and I might need you all to come to the station to make a statement”
He never looked back as he left but he knew the look on the old guys face would be a picture. The guy dressed as the usher had an expression on his face that was asking the old guy called Ron the obvious question. How did this pesky detective know his name? The guy now known as Ron just nodded at the guy dressed in the jeans with a silent order to follow him. Richards casually made his way back onto the street knowing damn well he was being followed. Ron turned to the other guys who were stood awaiting orders and calmly placed his hands in his suit pockets and discreetly shook his head.
“Congratulations gentlemen you have survived your first encounter with the legendry Alex Richards. Be warned you might not survive the next meeting. We certainly don’t need him poking his nose around here” and at that the guy called Ron removed his hands form his pockets and strode off back down the hallway. A mixed look of concern and awe now filled the expressions of the guys now stood digesting the words of their boss.
Chapter 6
Oliver held his breath as the footsteps could be heard getting closer and closer. Sitting motionless he listened as what sounded like a bleep then the door unlocking and opening meant someone must be entering the dark lifeless place where he was. Suddenly to his left a square, light filled shape appeared with the figure of a man’s silhouette. What was strange to Oliver was that the doorway seemed very far away, meaning he was in a large room. The shafts of light shining on the floor and the walls also gave Oliver an idea of what type of room he was in. It was similar to the offices he had visited with his father when Wyre had taken him to work, only this room had nothing in it, not even any tables or chairs. Oliver also felt it strange that even though it was a large space he was now trapped in he didn’t feel cold. It was fear that had him shaking before and it remained with him. The one thing he did notice as the figure in the doorway knelt down was a plug socket close to his left which for some reason gave him a small feeling of security. It was the only thing to sit near and make him feel as though he was not alone.
“Here is some water and a chocolate bar young man” said the stern voice from the doorway.
Oliver never answered as the fear now gripped him. He couldn’t even bare to look at the man as he buried his head between his knees scared that anything he said might get him into trouble. As the guy stood up to close the door and plunge Oliver back into darkness he quickly glanced up so as to remember where the water and the chocolate bar were so he could crawl over to them. The door closed and once again Oliver was unable to see his hand in front of him. Taking a deep breath and wiping his nose dry he slowly set off across the floor. At least he now knew there were no obstacles in his way and didn’t have to worry about bumping into anything and hurting his self. He had to be careful because the last thing he wanted was to knock over the water. Carefully feeling the floor his breathing quickened and the anxiety returned as it seemed to be taking an age to reach where he thought the water and chocolate bar were. He was sure he had crawled in a straight line and gingerly stretched out with his fingertips hoping he would reach them soon. All of a sudden the noise of a wrapper being pressed under his fingers told him he had made it. The hard bit would now be finding the plastic cup of water without knocking it over. He carefully slid his hand over the floor then suddenly stopped as the cold thin plastic told him he had found it. Grabbing it and placing it delicately to his mouth he slurped it straight back, the spillage running down his chin. Up until now he had been too scared to feel thirsty but now he realised he wanted more to drink but there was none. Placing the plastic cup back down on the floor he then tore at the chocolate bar, ramming it into his mouth meaning as he tried to chew it he struggled to breath. Brown chocolaty dribble dripped onto his coat as he sucked and slurped at the delicious bar, struggling to swallow and chew it at the same time. Although he could not see it he knew it to be a mars bar and in no time at all it was gone. For a while Oliver sat there catching his breath and savouring the flavours because although he was allowed chocolate it wasn’t on a regular basis. It was only allowed as treats and only then if he had eaten all his dinner. Whilst he enjoyed the sugar rush Oliver turned back to what he remembered to be the direction from where he had come from and the plug socket. He could be quicker this time and he scurried along on his hands and knees feeling for the wall as he went. On reaching it he gasped in horror as there seemed to no sign of the socket. He first moved to his left groping and touching but to no avail. The wall was smooth as he stopped and moved to the right but still nothing. He could feel the ache in his throat and the tears start to build up as all he wanted right now was the sanctum of the socket so he would not feel so alone. Perhaps he was feeling too high so he moved his hands down the wall. Desperately skimming them to the right he felt his small knuckles wrap something hard forcing him to cry out in pain. The sickening feeling of pain overcame him but there was no way he was letting go of the socket as he pulled himself into a sitting position next to it and then burst out crying.
“Daddy……Daddy where are you?” were the only gasps breaking the silence in Oliver’s vast, pitch black dungeon. “Mummy help me!” he whispered.
*
Detective Richards took one last glance back before walking through the door of the police station and glar
ed at the tail that had been told to follow him, making sure eye contact was made. No sooner had Richards reached the front desk he was followed in through the door by someone wearing a hoodie pulled over their head looking slightly on edge forcing him to stop and check who it was.
“Is everything ok sir?” asked Richards.
“Yes I’ve come to collect my son”
“Excuse me!”
As the detective said this, the guy in the hoodie looked up and there in front of him was the guy he recognised from the photos as Wyre Davis. Before Alex could speak to him, the tail that had followed him entered the station reception and stood waiting to see what happened next. Detective Richards never hesitated.
“Yes Robert Jones if you could follow me through here that would be great” said Alex opening the door and with his eyes he urged Wyre to walk through it.
A look of confusion came over Wyre forcing Richards to glare at him and respond.
“Listen even though you’ve handed yourself in we have to discuss the robbery you committed last week so we either do it in a cell through that door or my office through this door”
Still there was stunned silence as the tail that had followed Richards and who he had met earlier in the hallway in the court building was now leaning forward to try and take a look at the guy in the hoodie. Having met the old guy called Ron in the courthouse Richards knew he had to act quickly to prevent anything happening right here, right now. The detective grabbed Wyre and turned him sharply towards the door where the cells were. Walking him towards it as quick as he could Richards flashed his card in front of the censor and the door sprung open. Pushing Wyre through the doorway with his hand pressed against Wyre’s wind pipe to stop him talking, Richards glanced back to see the tail leaving through the exit. Wyre stumbled through the door cursing his treatment.
BEYOND THE SPRING Page 6