BEYOND THE SPRING

by Mike S Martin

  “What go there to put smiles on faces while they tear their country apart by killing innocent civilians? Forget it, not now, not after this” replied Wyre, the rage evident in his expression and his voice.

  “We will think about it Wyre, right now Oliver is our main concern”

  “Come we will go and see him” said a calming Dr Montgomery.

  Alex followed them out of the room towards where Oliver was. He could tell by Wyre’s body language that he was at breaking point. He would have to be at his best if he was to persuade Wyre to accept the invite form the Syrian and British Governments to be a puppet for their attempts at diplomatic talks to avoid intervention from the UN in preventing further troubles for Assad. Because of his contacts, Alex also knew the meeting was supported by Assad because the British Government was threatening to freeze the Syrian leader’s assets that were in various banks. It was rumoured to be worth around the £100 million mark meaning Assad was determined to keep Cameron and his advisors sweet. There was one thing Alex Richards was certain of and he could think of nothing else. If he wanted to stop what was happening to Wyre and Oliver and get revenge, this provided the perfect opportunity. Alex knew damn well Ron Bostock was lurking in the shadows on this one and he was prepared to sacrifice himself yet again.

  Chapter 18

  The seconds ticked down on the bottom of the screen as the BBC news 24 channel reached the hour. The theme tune arrived at its climax before the news reader introduced himself.

  “Good evening I’m Hugh Edwards, the headlines tonight. Two men are arrested in connection with the murders of two gang members in the centre of Bristol. Police raided a house on the Gloucester road in the early hours of this morning and it is suspected the two Asian men are thought to members of an organised drug gang. Also in the news tonight the Syrian leader Bashir Assad denies the uprising that is now gripping the country is resulting in high casualties on the streets as Government troops open fire on civilians……..”

  Alex didn’t say anything to Wyre as the headlines rang out. He didn’t really have to as he had said it all before. The explanations and reasons Alex had told him were now ringing true to Wyre as he studied the TV waiting to see who the police had arrested for the killings his friend Andy was responsible for. Although the suspects were not actually shown being led away by the police, a picture appeared of each one at the top of the screen as the scene of the shootings was shown with the street in Bristol cordoned off. Wyre did nothing but shake his head.

  “Do the police know they were not responsible or are they totally oblivious?” asked Wyre now witnessing the injustice being played out on national television.

  “As far as the police are concerned they are guilty because they would have been shown the evidence and told to act on it. They could never be told the truth. Only those at the top of the food chain would know the truth…..maybe” replied Alex.

  “Bostock?” asked Wyre angrily.

  Alex just nodded.

  “If it makes you feel better those guys are most likely criminals, drug dealers and guilty of a number of things”

  “What and that’s ok with you?” asked Wyre sensing Alex still had a slight belief in Bostock’s methods in as long as they had done something wrong pin anything on them.

  Alex didn’t answer but this played on Wyre’s mind. Wyre owed him so much but there was still a part of Richards that Wyre struggled to comprehend. As much as the detective wanted to destroy Bostock and everything he stood for, he gave Wyre the impression he still believed in Bostock’s way of thinking. Wyre sensed there was more than an element of respect between the two old cohorts. Wyre stood up and paced the room. Being told that this sort of thing happens all the time was one thing but now seeing it for his self, made him feel very uncomfortable. He now couldn’t help but question everything around him, his job, his life, what he was told was right and wrong.

  “It says that only two guys were killed on the street but what about the two in the ambulance.

  Passers- by must have seen those as well and yet it doesn’t mention those”

  Alex had a slight smile on his face which puzzled Wyre and angered him slightly.

  “Wyre I bet if you asked everyone who witnessed the killings that day if they had seen two paramedics shot and killed whilst sitting in the ambulance not one of them would swear they had and do you know why…..because you knew nothing about them until I told you and the reason was because your mind was preoccupied with the two dead guys lay on the street. Before any member of the public would have had the gumption to attract the attention of the paramedics Bostock’s men would have thrown the dead members of their team into the back and took control. Like I told you before, this is why they are so good and efficient. They rely on split second reactions and are experts in manipulating the mind and conscience of everyday people”

  Wyre’s next comment had Alex lifting his head to study Wyre with a thoughtful expression on his face.

  “Is that how you managed to kill everyone aboard that Yacht in the Mediterranean all those years ago?”

  “You shouldn’t believe everything Andy tells you Wyre” said Alex now smiling, forcing Wyre to return the smile.

  The silence was broken as the hotel phone rang on the bedside table. Alex reached over and answered it with the words “send him up”. Wyre stood up and brushed himself off as Alex took out his browning pistol, checked it and took it out of safety mode. Wyre didn’t question Alex’s motives as he sat back down looking calm and collected. Within minutes there was a knock at the door and Alex approached it, unlocked it and opened it.

  “Julius Caesar” said the Arab guy smartly dressed in jeans and a suit jacket and expensive looking shoes.

  Alex nodded and pointed him in the direction of Wyre who was sat waiting to be given the details of the meeting. Such was the security and secrecy regarding the visit from a member of the leading party of a country that was on the brink of civil war such as Syria, the plan could not even be given on a piece of paper as this could be intercepted and changed. It had to come from the mouth of the person delivering it as only he knew what the details were. Such was the professionalism of this guy that he hesitated telling Wyre what it was due to Alex standing only a few feet away. Wyre indicated to him that it was ok and the Arab guy told Wyre the when he would be greeted at Downing Street in a secret meeting with a representative from the Syrian Government and possibly some members of Cameron’s party. Friday the 22nd July would be the date and for Alex it could not come quick enough. His instinct told him Bostock would be there even though thorough searching and probing via his contacts and friends had not found any evidence to prove this. The killing of Susan had not proved to Alex that it was Bostock’s end game. There were pieces of the puzzle that were not yet clear but this meeting was surely a step closer to finding out. Alex’s next job was to persuade Wyre he should go. The Arab guy left the room as Wyre entered the second bedroom where Oliver was sleeping. It was nearly time to check out of the hotel and pay another visit to the hospital where, depending on the results of the tests Dr Montgomery had done, more invasive tests were to be tried to determine why Oliver seemed to be making positive progress in coping with the Leukaemia that had been slowly killing him only weeks ago. Wyre sat by him and watched as he peacefully slept. Reluctant to disturb him Wyre picked up one of Oliver’s packets of tablets from the edge of the bed and read it slowly as he had done many times before. Even him as an experienced doctor could not understand why Oliver was showing signs of improvement bearing in mind his condition was deteriorating so quickly before. Placing the packet down he began to stare at the wall. He knew Alex Richards was determined for him to go to the meeting at Downing Street but the reasons why he was going now seemed so distant. The invite was for Wyre, Oliver and Susan due to the Syrian representatives having no idea Susan was dead. It was to be a happy family moment in recognition of Wyre’s dedication to his job and possibly to also recognise Susan’s contribution. All that now seemed a
million miles away. Apart from the light breathing from Oliver, the silence in the room gave Wyre the chance to think and relax. He found his eyes closing and for the second time in a few weeks sleep came easily. His mind sent him into a dreamlike state with various thoughts appearing then evaporating. Waking himself up with a loud snore he checked to see Oliver was still asleep. He was but instead of dozing off again Wyre thought about what Alex had told him. The invite by the Syrian embassy was perhaps the only chance to get to the bottom of all what had happened to Wyre’s family. According to Alex, Ron Bostock was sure to be there which meant it might be Wyre’s only chance to meet the sick bastard who had caused all this heartache. Wyre was no fool and also realised Alex had his own motives and was now in a situation where unless he killed Bostock he could never go back to the life of a detective and live a quiet life if that is what he actually wanted, in fact any life at all seemed a distant hope. Alex had suggested that with Andy, the three of them could go as guests and finish it once and for all. Alex would arrange it so Wyre would not be directly involved in anything that happened but perhaps it would be better if Oliver was safely lay in a hospital bed out of the way. Wyre run the idea around in his head as Oliver began to stir but it was Dr Montgomery who now occupied his thoughts. Oliver was Wyre’s priority over anything else at the moment and until he knew the outcome of Montgomery’s findings Wyre would not be dictated to and let other people’s ulterior motives rule his emotions.

  “Come on Oliver wake up, we need to go and see the doctor again”

  *

  Andy and Alex arrived at the safe house at exactly the same time, both their cars skidding to a halt on the stone drive.

  “Has Wyre agreed to accept the invite?” asked Andy.

  Richards shook his head.

  “Until Montgomery gives Wyre the nod that Oliver will be ok I don’t think he will be going anywhere.

  We still have to plan as though we will be going though”

  They both entered the house and Andy started to make a coffee for both of them. Alex took his netbook out of its case and placed it on the table. While the kettle boiled Andy sat next to Alex on the sofa and watched as the screen burst into life. Andy nodded as the itinerary regarding the visit of the representative from the Syrian Government appeared.

  “Assuming Bostock is involved in this visit, where do you plan to take him out?” asked an intrigued Andy.

  Alex remained stone faced as he studied the times on the screen.

  “I’ve no idea!”

  “You’re not just going to take him out are you? You want answers” suggested Andy.

  Alex looked at Andy.

  “You know Bostock as well as I do and I’m sure you will agree that this…..”

  Alex paused as though struggling to understand what was going on in his head.

  “……..this is something big Andy. There’s something different about Bostock on this one. I remember him treating all this as a game, a professional game but a game never the less. When I see him at his torture house he looked under pressure. He was almost nervous like he was running out of time”

  Andy disappeared into the kitchen and returned with two mugs of coffee. It was obvious his mind was trying to work out the puzzle both of them were faced with as well. He barely knew Bostock, only his methods, but agreed with Richards that this seemed like something big. Andy remembered that in the past maybe there would be a few killings a month, he himself doing some of them but it was obvious Bostock was being given a free rein to do what was required at all costs, even more than normal. Richards grabbed his chin with the palm of his hand and studied the details again.

  *

  “I don’t know what else to say Wyre” said Dr Montgomery leaning back in his chair. “The test results will be back in soon and these should give us a positive ID of what is in Oliver’s system. As for the way his health is improving it seems whatever it is in his bloodstream it’s making the immune system stronger and replacing the damaged blood cells with stronger ones. His body is fighting the leukaemia and by some miracle is winning. The downside is it is putting a lot of pressure on his heart and I think that is what caused the seizure and heart attack. We can give him drugs to keep that under control. There is something else”

  Wyre perched himself on the edge of his seat hanging onto the DR’S every word.

  “The substance in Oliver’s system seems very unstable”

  “What does that mean?”

  “The longer it is in his system the higher the rate of him having more frequent cardiac arrests, kidney failure and liver disease. Hence why we have to consider a blood transfusion Wyre”

  Wyre nodded because he knew as a doctor himself that this was going to happen at some point anyway. It would have probably happened before now if what Bostock had pumped into him had been narcotics. Because Oliver’s health seemed ok it was sensible to find out what was in him and what it was doing before messing with the boy after his traumatic experience. In a strange sort of way Wyre was happy as long as Oliver’s disease was being kept under control and if that meant the substance that Bostock pumped into him was making him feel better then so be it and this in turn made Wyre feel at ease slightly. This didn’t detract from the fact that at some point a decision would have to be made. Dr Montgomery smiled as he scribbled down some notes on his pad and handed the piece of paper to Wyre.

  “If I can see you and Oliver on Wednesday 27th July then I feel confident we will have some answers.

  If we find anything before then I will personally ring you Wyre”

  Wyre thanked him and held Oliver’s hand as they made their way towards the door.

  “Oh and Wyre”

  “Yes!”

  “Alex tells me you have an appointment with the Syrians at Number 10”

  Wyre frowned slightly expressing his unease with the doctor knowing his business.

  “Why would he tell you this?”

  Montgomery shrugged his shoulders innocently.

  “Because he cares”

  Wyre smiled back at the doctor shaking his head.

  “Alex Richards cares for nobody but himself. It’s not entirely his fault but the only thing he cares about at this moment in time is staying alive and taking out Ron Bostock”

  “Maybe you’re right Wyre but in you and Oliver he has found a way of escaping his past for good. I can see he wants to redeem himself and you have given him the perfect opportunity to do this”

  Oliver waited patiently as both Wyre and Dr Montgomery realised this was a perfect chance to find out a bit about each other or at least more than what they knew now.

  “Richards said that you and he were old acquaintances so perhaps now would be a good time to tell me how this is so. Did you know him from when he worked for Bostock?”

  Montgomery first looked down his glasses at Wyre then removed them as he studied both father and son standing in the doorway.

  “I will promise you one thing Wyre. When all this over and we have established the full extent of Oliver’s situation I will tell you everything you want to know regarding my relationship with Alex Richards. At the moment I think it wise that you are ignorant of who and what this man really is. He is like nobody you have met before Wyre. He’s not like us and if people knew what that guy had done….if they knew his past…..well god knows. I can guarantee you one thing though. He won’t stop until the man who has caused you all this pain has paid the price. You need him as an ally and at the moment all you need to know is if he has to, he will sacrifice his self for you both”

  As much as Wyre wanted more from the doctor he also trusted him meaning he would take his advice and be patient. This didn’t mean he would let it rest though and Montgomery knew this. At the moment Wyre and Richards needed each other and he was reluctant to spoil this and let it get in the way of what was possibly to come.

  Chapter 19

  Friday 22nd July, London.

  Wyre paced the hotel room that overlooked the London eye on th
e banks of the Thames nervously as Oliver sat quietly watching the children’s programmes on the TV. According to his watch it was now 3pm and the driver would be here any minute. Whatever reservations Wyre had about Alex Richards it was now of no consequence as he had now placed all his trust in him. Wyre had agreed to meet the Syrians and other various government high dignitaries at Downing Street on one condition. This was that Oliver accompanied him as there was no way Wyre was leaving him alone with anyone whether it be a police station or hospital. This had been pretty much the case since the abduction in Bristol and Wyre wasn’t budging no matter how much people thought otherwise. Oliver was on the invite but Dr Montgomery suggested that it might be too much for the boy. Richards had also hinted that with what might happen at the meeting it might be better if Oliver was absent but again Wyre made it part of the deal. If he went then so did Oliver.

  The knock on the door sent the adrenalin surging through Wyre’s blood as he realised the guy on the other side of the door was most likely one of Bostock’s who was there to drive them to the rendezvous . Richards had run through everything that would happen and this would be the start. Wyre opened the door trying to remain as blasé as possible while keeping Oliver as close as he could as he trusted no one.

  “Wyre and Oliver Davis, I’m here to pick you up” said the well- built guy dressed in a tight suit, smiling at them both as he led them down the hallways to the lift.

  They approached the hotel reception and Wyre spotted other members of Bostock’s cronies hanging around making sure everything ran smoothly. They were exactly how Alex and Andy had described them as all three of them walked towards the car that had been parked on double yellow lines right outside the doors. As far as the driver and his backup were concerned they were on official government duty but Wyre knew different. Wyre noticed the driver make eye contact with one of his thugs and nod as he and Oliver climbed into the backseat of car. As the car pulled away Wyre studied the driver with intrigue. He guessed his age to be about twenty eight which to Wyre seemed quite young to be doing such a job, at least too young to be involved with someone like Bostock. The guy seemed friendly enough but it was obvious he was under instruction from higher forces. Wyre would feel more at ease when they reached their destination and he could see Alex Richards and his friend Andy and be amongst witnesses.