Dangerous Girl_An utterly heart stopping thriller

by Emma Tallon

  ‘Yes, but not just any pollen. It was pollen that comes from a rare plant called grass-of-Parnassus. It’s not usually found in London, but when it is, it’s found in damp areas with old, close-knit housing.’

  ‘Right, so is there some sort of flower fanatic group that keeps track of who grows them?’

  ‘It’s a wildflower, so it would be unlikely. But the team are working on narrowing down areas it would be more likely to grow in. I’ve had a look through what few documented accounts there are and it seems they’ve mostly been spotted in the older residential areas of the East End, fairly close to the river, or further down south.’

  Freddie shook his head. ‘He don’t have her south of the river.’

  ‘Why do you say that?’

  ‘That’s too much hassle. It would have been difficult to get her across or under the river without being picked up on traffic cams or CCTV. Your facial recognition would have picked her up.’

  ‘Unless he had her hidden in the boot of his car.’

  ‘She disappeared without a struggle in a public place. There were no disturbances nearby. If she went willingly, I’d bet he kept her happy in the passenger seat of his car until he reached his destination. Keeps it simple, less risk of being noticed.’

  Riley chewed the side of her mouth as she thought it over. ‘Possibly. But we can’t assume.’

  ‘No, you can’t assume. I can assume what I want. My instincts haven’t let me down yet. What else? What about his voice?’

  ‘She says “if I’m down here much longer”, so we’re thinking it must be underground somewhere. We isolated his voice and cleared it up as much as possible, but it told us nothing. He’s using some sort of voice mask. All we can gather is that the kidnapper is male, which we already knew from her message and that he probably has a deep voice.’ She shrugged. ‘It could be half of London.’

  ‘What about the recorder itself? Where sells it?’

  ‘Loads of places. It’s cheap, sells in most gadget shops, and it’s also a bestseller on Amazon.’

  Freddie pinched the bridge of his nose. That wasn’t much to work on, and now the clock was ticking faster than ever. In one week, if he didn’t find the girl first, one of Ben Hargreaves’ children would be dead. And Freddie was lined up to pay the price. The pressure lay heavily across his shoulders.

  Sarah placed the recorder back into the bag and slipped it into her jacket pocket. She stood up and looked down her nose at him. ‘One week, Tyler. Find her.’

  She turned and walked out, leaving the door open behind her. Freddie stared after her, lost in thought. He needed to start thinking about drastic measures. His time was running out.

  36

  Club Anya was closed for the night. Anna sat down on the small sofa in her office and, slipping her feet out of her stilettos, pushed them to one side. She curled up comfortably and looked through the folder in her hand once more.

  Tanya had asked her if she wanted to partner up on buying another house to rent out. Anna had enthusiastically agreed, relieved to have something else to take her mind off her sinking relationship, and they were now sifting through options. She paused on the third house in and chewed her lip thoughtfully. It was a great location, a four-bedroomed house in West Hampstead. The price was about a hundred thousand more than the top end of their budget, but they both still really wanted to buy it.

  Anna knew that she had only to ask and Freddie would give her the money, but that was something she wasn’t prepared to do. She had never accepted a penny from him before, or any of his offers of help. Having spent years stripped of any independence by her psychotic ex, she still found it hard to allow anyone else to assist her now. Her business was her own, as were her finances. She would never allow anyone the opportunity to take that away from her again.

  She knew Freddie was nothing like Tony. She knew he wasn’t the sort of person to ever try to take what was not his. But still, old habits die hard. And lately, with how things had been between them, Anna wasn’t sure she wanted to form any more ties that would be hard to undo if things fell apart. Now more than ever, she would be keeping her ranks firmly closed.

  There was a soft knock at the door.

  ‘Come in, Carl.’

  ‘It’s not Carl,’ came the reply.

  Anna looked up to see Michael walking through.

  ‘He let me in; he’s just leaving. Hope that’s OK?’

  ‘Oh! Hi, of course it’s fine. Come on in.’ Anna smiled up at him, glad of the distraction from her thoughts of Freddie. ‘This is a surprise. Everything OK?’

  ‘Yeah… everything’s fine.’

  The way he said it made Anna frown. He seemed slightly agitated, but she didn’t press it. If he wanted to talk, he would. His expression changed and he smiled at her, his blue eyes twinkling. She was reminded of how similar he looked to Freddie. The same, dark, brooding good looks and the same cheeky smile that could melt a heart of ice. She smiled back fondly. He was a handsome young boy. No doubt he was already breaking hearts.

  Michael held up two glasses and a bottle of wine. ‘Swiped these from behind your bar and left the money by the till. Could really use a drink. Have one with me?’

  ‘Sure, OK.’ Anna was surprised. They saw each other frequently around the rest of the family, but Michael had never dropped in on her before. It was a nice surprise though. Now he had grown up, he was working a lot closer with Freddie. It would be good to spend more time with him and get to know him better.

  He sat down next to her on the sofa and poured them each a glass. Taking hers, Anna closed the file she had been looking at.

  ‘So, long day then?’

  ‘Hmm?’ Michael seemed distracted.

  ‘You said you really needed a drink.’

  ‘Oh, yeah. Well, most days you need a drink in our line of work. I guess Freddie’s the same.’

  ‘Yes, we usually have a glass or two in the evenings. You usually go for one with Paul, don’t you?’

  ‘Usually, yeah. But he’s been busy a lot lately. Don’t seem to have time for it no more.’ Michael’s tone held a tinge of resentment.

  Ah, Anna thought. He was lonely.

  ‘I never see you with girls. Do you not get much time to date, working with Freddie?’

  ‘It’s not that, it’s just… None of the single girls I meet are the right sort, you know?’

  ‘Yes, I do.’ Anna had to agree. Most of the women who threw themselves at the Tyler brothers were cheap and shallow, just looking to bag a bad boy with some status.

  ‘I need someone with brains. Classy, interesting. Someone who grafts. Someone I can respect.’ His clear blue eyes were steady as he stared at her, his expression unreadable.

  ‘That sounds like a good list of attributes. And there are plenty of those women around too. We just need to find them.’

  ‘Are there?’ he asked. ‘I can’t say I’ve met many that meet that description.’

  ‘Well, I have.’ Anna grinned brightly. ‘And I tell you what, I bet you I could set you up with someone within the week who you would actually like.’

  Michael looked sceptical. ‘I doubt it,’ he replied.

  ‘Well, why don’t you give it a try? You have nothing to lose. And I have a really nice girl in mind for you already. What do you say?’ Anna smiled, excited by the idea forming in her mind.

  Michael paused and drank some of his wine. ‘OK,’ he replied reluctantly. ‘If it’ll make you happy, I’ll meet her.’

  ‘Fantastic!’ Anna replied enthusiastically. ‘I’ll text her and let you know what she says.’

  ‘OK. I have to go, only popped in on my way through. Got to meet Freddie.’

  ‘OK, have a good night then. See you soon.’

  ‘Laters.’ Michael left and Anna was alone again.

  She stared at the wine glasses thoughtfully. What had that been about? Michael seemed really down in the dumps. At least he had agreed to the blind date though. She really did have a nice girl in mind for him
, someone she really liked. It would be a great match. Hopefully it would lift his spirits, and he wouldn’t be quite so glum.

  Michael’s last words finally registering in her head, Anna sighed. There was little chance of Freddie coming home tonight if Michael was only just off to meet him. Her heart sank, and her eyes rested on their favourite picture on the wall. What was Freddie up to? she wondered. Was it truly the beginning of the end for them? Was their time as a happy, honest, open couple nearly up?

  37

  Freddie pulled up at a tall terraced house in East London. The road was quiet, and several of the houses around them were abandoned. He walked in and made his way through a dark, narrow hallway into the lounge at the back. Two saggy brown sofas sat against the walls, with three men casually slouched in them, smoking cigarettes. The ancient carpet was badly stained and burned around its dark green and orange swirls. Freddie hid his disgust. It was a horrible place. Mollie would have a fit if she saw the amount of filth that had accumulated over the years.

  In an empty corner of the room there was a man seated on the floor, his mouth gagged and his wrists and ankles bound. He was eyeing the men around him angrily.

  ‘Reggie, Dean, Simon.’ Freddie nodded at each of his men in turn.

  Freddie unbuttoned his jacket and took it off, laying it neatly on the back of one of the sofas. Dean stubbed out his cigarette, rolled up his sleeves and stood, having received his cue.

  Freddie faced the bound man, who was now beginning to show signs of panic.

  ‘It was one thing trying your luck with my business, Viktor,’ Freddie began. ‘It was stupid, but I let that go. I let you off very lightly. You should have thanked me for only ordering a broken arm and been on your way. Because it is another thing entirely’ – Freddie’s voice was deadly – ‘to try to kill my brother; my flesh and blood. See, I value family over everything. I value family over money, property, even over my own life. I would do anything for those I care about. And I do mean anything.’ Freddie signalled to his men with a wave of his hand that he was ready to begin.

  Simon moved a wooden chair into the middle of the room, and Dean hoisted Viktor up onto it. He bound his wrists to the back so that he wasn’t able to stand. Viktor kicked out and squirmed, but he was a small man and had no muscle. He got nowhere.

  Freddie leaned down until his face was level with his captive’s. With one hand he pulled the gag down. Viktor immediately screamed for help. The men in the room began to laugh, and Freddie shook his head.

  ‘Screaming won’t get you anywhere here, mate. Half the street is derelict, and the other half wouldn’t grass me out if I was the last person standing between them and heaven.’ Freddie waited as this sank in and Viktor stopped screaming. ‘Well, now that’s done with, let’s get down to business, shall we?’

  ‘It wasn’t me, Freddie. I would never order hit on your brother. We had little disagreement, yes, but that is finished with.’ Viktor’s voice trembled as he tried to squirm his way out of the situation. He knew he had fucked up, big time. He had thought he was big enough to take the Tylers on. He had seen himself waltzing in and taking what he wanted, with no opposition. He hadn’t realised until far too late that the fat, lazy scumbags he employed might be good at doing the dirty work, but they had no real skill, and they were about as loyal as a bunch of hyenas.

  ‘Please,’ he begged. ‘I don’t want make enemy; I want to make up for my poor judgement before. Perhaps you would be interested in one of my whorehouses? As gift to you, to show my humble gratitude and friendship at your mercy?’ His eyes shot from one to another of the men around the room. No one was listening to him except Freddie, whose look of anger had only deepened.

  ‘Listen to me, you jumped-up cunt!’ Freddie shot forward and grabbed Viktor by the throat. He lifted him so that he was slightly off the chair, his face turning deep red as he squeezed. ‘I don’t take kindly to bullshit, so you best start owning it, straight up like a man, or I will make this ten times worse for you. I hold little respect for liars.’ He unclenched his hand from Viktor’s throat and dropped him back into the chair. Viktor coughed and spluttered as he drew oxygen back into his lungs.

  ‘OK, fine. It was me. But you started war with me – I could not ignore. I will, though, if you let me go. I will show you respect and do whatever you want. Please, I beg of you. I have wife and children.’

  ‘You should have thought of that before trying to murder my brother. I can’t accept that. You know the score. You ain’t leaving this room alive. But I’ll give you one merciful option. You give me some information on how I can find Katherine Hargreaves, the girl I came to you about. If you do that, I’ll make it quick.’ Freddie looked at his watch. ‘You have ten seconds to start talking. There will be no second chance. Go.’

  Viktor’s mouth flapped open as he flailed. ‘I – I don’t have information. Please, Freddie, I don’t know anything about her. That is the truth! Please don’t do this!’ he begged.

  ‘Five, four…’

  ‘Please, I would tell you if I knew. Maybe I can find out! If you let me go, I will put all my men on her trail. I will find her! Freddie, please!’

  ‘One.’

  ‘Wait, no, Freddie, I will find her for you. I can talk to people, have my men search, no, please!’ His cries turned into loud screams as Reggie and Dean held him down in his chair. Dean passed Freddie a thick plastic bag. Freddie walked behind the hysterical man.

  ‘Freddie, no, please, no! I will do anything…’ His voice trailed off into a gargle as Freddie placed the bag over his head and pulled it tight around his neck. He yanked back hard and pulled against the struggling man with all his strength. A small bubble of air in the plastic moved in and out of his gaping mouth as he tried and failed to breathe. He kicked out, struggling against the strong men who held him in place. Freddie’s mouth set into a determined line as he held fast to the plastic behind Viktor’s head. No one spoke. No one batted an eyelid.

  Rules were rules. In this game, if you try to kill someone like one of the Tylers, you pay with your own life. It was black and white.

  Viktor’s struggles were becoming weaker, his body convulsing as it became desperate for air. The bubble in the plastic was moving in and out at a much slower rate. It became slower and slower until finally it just stopped moving altogether and Viktor’s body slumped down, no longer fighting for freedom. Freddie held on for a few moments more, just to be sure. Then he let go. He stepped back and rubbed his hands. Dean moved forward, putting two fingers on his neck to check for a pulse.

  ‘He’s done,’ Dean confirmed.

  ‘OK.’ Freddie pinched the bridge of his nose. He suddenly looked tired.

  It had been a heavy week on the body-count front. It wasn’t often that Freddie had to take a life, and it wasn’t something he did lightly. But that was the punishment for trying to take out a Tyler. It was a dog-eat-dog world, and he would always do what was needed to stay on top and keep his family safe.

  Bidding goodbye to his men, he turned and walked out. Now that this issue was dealt with, he needed to get back to finding the girl. He had one week to find her, or all he cared about would be lost.

  38

  William Hargreaves walked through the door of his spacious, top-floor flat in Chelsea. He threw the keys into a bowl on top of the oak dresser in his hall and stared at himself in the mirror hanging above it. He looked awful. His face was haggard, and he looked as though he hadn’t slept in a month. In reality, it had only been one night of sleeplessness so far, but he doubted it would be the last. He ran his hand though his floppy, wavy hair and pushed it over to one side in an attempt to look less unkempt. It didn’t work. He closed his red-rimmed eyes and sighed.

  His father and the police had played him the message over and over. What on earth was he supposed to do? In six days, some psycho would kill his sister unless he took her place. He felt sick. The police had come up with nothing. There were no solid leads. They had been on the case for weeks. He
knew this wasn’t a good thing – he watched the detective programmes. They always said if a missing person wasn’t found in the first few days, their chances of finding them alive were slim at best.

  The police had tried to convince him to go into something they called a ‘vulnerable peoples unit’, but he had refused. What would be the point? Clearly whoever had his sister did not want to harm him themselves – they had ordered him to take his own life. He was just as safe at home as anywhere else. They had grudgingly let him go, unable to force him, and given him a phone number for a crisis team. He had almost laughed. What would a shrink at the end of the phone do for him now? Either he or his sister would be dead soon, and he had to decide which. Fishing the number out of his pocket, he screwed it up and threw it towards the wastepaper basket.

  William slipped his loafers off and padded through to the lounge. He needed a drink, something strong. Reaching the tall wooden drinks cabinet, he opened the glass front doors and just stared at the bottles.

  ‘I’d go for a whisky personally. Takes the edge off.’

  William jumped in shock at the unexpected voice. He yelped and turned round, his eyes wide with fright. There was a man sitting in one of the chairs against the wall, beside the door he had just walked in through. His eyes flickered back towards it as he wondered if he should try to run.

  ‘I wouldn’t if I were you.’ The stranger signalled towards the small, black gun in his hand.

  William began to shake, a million thoughts running through his head. Why was he here? Why did he have a gun? Was this his sister’s kidnapper? Had he come to do it himself after all? He didn’t know what to do. He looked at him properly. The man was older than him, maybe early thirties. He dressed well, his suit was of good quality and fitted his muscular physique flatteringly. His voice was deep and with a thick East London accent. He didn’t look angry – this was hopefully a good sign.

  ‘Wha— who are you? What are you doing?’ William heard his voice shake as he spoke.