“Ryan,” said Rachel, her eyes lighting up.
He bent over to give her a kiss. “I’m back Babe. There’s someone here who’s keen to talk to you.”
“You found her?”
“I did.”
The obvious affection between Ryan and his wife eased some of Sabine’s fears. For the first time she saw the softer side of him as he gazed adoringly at the woman on the bed.
“Help me sit up,” said Rachel.
Battler and Ryan both assisted her, Battler adjusting the pillows while Ryan gently sat her upright.
Sabine was shocked by the damage done to this woman. Clearly she was beautiful but the bruising to her face was horrible. The bandage around her neck made Sabine’s stomach churn as she recalled Ryan saying her throat had been cut. She felt guilty about her earlier anger. This woman had definitely suffered.
“Sabine, I recognise you from your photo,” said Rachel, her voice a weak breath on the air. Her sharp eyes flicked to Daina. “Who’s this?”
“My friend Daina. We were being held at the same place. She’s my best friend.”
Bruiser indicated for Daina to take the empty seat beside him and she accepted. The two of them smiled shyly at each other.
Sabine didn’t want to cry but she couldn’t help it. “You saw Laila die,” she said, eyes welling with tears.
When Sabine’s lip wobbled she looked so young and vulnerable and Rachel wanted to hug her like she hugged Leah. “She loved you so much, you were all she talked about.”
“We were always close. She looked after me and my sister. She wasn’t the oldest but she acted like it because Alise had problems, which got worse after our parents died. Alise was in hospital with a sickness in her head. She tried to cut her wrists. When Laila found jobs for us in England she was so excited, she thought a new start would be good for all of us, especially Alise. We thought it was strange when we got off the boat and were put in the back of a truck. Laila was scared, she knew something was very wrong.” Sabine looked into the woman’s dark eyes and blushed. “Sorry, I’m talking on and on.”
“Your English is very good.”
“Laila taught me.” A sob escaped her lips and she clamped a hand over her mouth, appalled with herself. “Sorry.”
“No need to apologise. You need to grieve for your sister.”
“Please, I have to know how it happened.”
“Course you do. Come sit,” said Rachel, tapping the space beside her.
Sabine looked questioningly at Ryan, as though for permission.
“It’s okay,” he said encouragingly.
Sabine perched on the edge of the bed and waited for Rachel to begin, who waved her hand at the water on the bedside cabinet with a grimace. Battler poured her out a glass and helped her take a few sips. She released a satisfied sigh and rested her head back in the pillow. “Sorry, it hurts,” she said, gesturing to her neck.
“I can come back later.”
“No,” said Rachel, forcing her head back up. “I need to tell you.”
Total silence reigned as Rachel related the tale of Laila’s death. When it was over Rachel sank back into the pillows, exhausted. Daina murmured a prayer in Latvian, her long lashes wet with tears while Sabine just stared at Rachel, numb all over. At first she wondered why she wasn’t feeling anything, she’d just heard how the person she loved most in the world had been murdered. Then she felt it, the grief starting in the pit of her stomach, welling up in her throat until it erupted from her mouth in a loud wail.
Battler and Bruiser both appeared a little panicked by this outpouring of emotion while Ryan merely raised an eyebrow. Daina got to her feet to comfort her friend but before she had chance Rachel had forced herself back upright and enveloped the sobbing Sabine in her arms, rocking her gently.
Sabine sank into the motherly embrace and cried on her shoulder while Rachel stroked her hair. When Sabine got herself together she straightened up, wiping her eyes. “I am sorry.”
“Don’t be, please. Your old life is over but you are so young and you have the chance for a bright future, the future Laila wanted for you. We’re going to take care of you now. Whatever you want to do with your life we’ll make sure it happens for you.”
“Really, anything?”
“Yes,” smiled Rachel.
“What about Daina? She is my only friend, the only person I have left.”
Rachel knew Sabine couldn’t be separated from her friend, the terror of being alone was apparent in her eyes. She looked to Ryan, who nodded.
“Whatever Daina wants too.”
Daina released a yelp of excitement that made Bruiser smile.
“First thing I want to do is get off the heroin,” said Sabine, eyes heavy with shame. “Katia had me injected with it. I hate it. They did it to my sisters too. We always used to be so healthy, Laila made sure we looked after ourselves. It was another insult to us.”
“We can arrange that. There are clinics here that will help you get off the drugs and get your health back. Or would you rather go to one in Latvia?”
“No, I want to stay in this country. There is nothing left for me back there but I have to get out of Manchester, I’m afraid Alex will come after me.”
“Don’t you worry about him, we’re going to sort him out. You get yourself healthy again in rehab and think about what you want to do with the rest of your life and we’ll fund it.”
“I already know, it is what I have wanted since I was a little girl.”
“And what’s that?”
“I always wanted to go into beauty. I am very good at hair and nails and make-up.”
Rachel smiled. “Well, how about once you’re off the drugs we pay for you to train, you need qualifications to do that job in this country. Then we’ll buy you your own salon.”
Sabine’s mouth fell open. “I did not realise you would give me so much.”
“If it hadn’t been for Laila something really horrible would have happened to me.” Rachel felt nauseous as she recalled Sheridan’s unwanted attentions. “I would probably even be dead. It’s the least I can do.” She blinked away the tears that clouded her vision. “Daina, what would you like to do?”
“Me? Well I…err…” She looked at Bruiser, who gave her a gentle smile that made her blush. “They didn’t give me drugs, they didn’t want me to lose weight. Instead they made me eat lots of bad food to make me fat because there are horrible men who like that. I was never this fat before. I would like to lose the weight.”
“I think you’re beautiful,” said Bruiser.
Rachel, Ryan and Battler all looked at him, never having heard him compliment a woman before.
“That’s no problem Daina,” said Rachel. “They do that in the clinic Sabine will be going to, so you can stay together.”
“Daina is good at make-up and hair too, we could work together as well,” said an eager Sabine.
“Would Daina like that?”
“Yes,” she practically shouted.
When Sabine looked back at Rachel, her smile fell.
“What’s wrong?” Rachel asked her.
“This seems too good to be true, just like the man in Riga who said we could be nannies and models. I’m frightened the clinic will be another brothel.”
“It’s not a trick, I swear. This is me keeping my promise to your sister who was the bravest woman I ever met. No matter what I do I’ll never be able repay the debt I owe her. You’re safe, you’ll always have our support and protection. We don’t deal in disgusting brothels like that, our businesses are legal. Life might throw a lot of shit at us but occasionally it throws us a miracle too. Ryan and Laila are my miracles. Now it’s your turn.”
Sabine detected how genuine she was and started to cry again. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me, thank your sister.”
“I have to bury her. They took Alise away when she died of the drugs and I don’t know what they did with her. I have to say goodbye to Laila properly.”
“Thank you,” rasped Sabine, tears rolling down her face. “I would like to be alone for a while to think about my sister.“
“Of course. This is Battler and his brother Bruiser. They are our very good friends. You can trust them, they’re the good guys. Bruiser will take you to the hotel.”
Sabine hugged Rachel again. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” she replied, hugging her back gently, being careful not to hurt her.
Bruiser opened the door, the two girls following. As they stepped out into the corridor, Sabine caught sight of Alex on his hospital bed. “It’s him,” she gasped, retreating back into the room.
“Ow, you stood on my foot,” said Daina, hopping about on one leg, causing Ryan to roll his eyes.
“Don’t worry ladies, you’re perfectly safe,” said Bruiser, offering Daina his arm. She looked up at him and smiled, sliding her hand in to the crook of his elbow.
The two girls tried to hide behind Bruiser’s massive form as they passed Alex’s room, Daina burying her face in his shoulder.
Battler closed the door to Rachel’s room with an amused smile. “I think my brother has a little crush. He always did like them big and blousy.”
“Isn’t she a bit young for him?” said Ryan.
“She’ll do him good, bring him out of his shell a bit. He’s quite shy around women.”
Rachel found the prospect of Bruiser being shy entertaining.
Through the window Ryan saw Col coming up the corridor, obviously aiming for Alex’s room. “Just one moment,” he said.
He waited patiently for Col to get nearer, sliding the plastic tube Frankie had given him out of his inner jacket pocket. Just as Ryan knew he would, Col flashed him a smug smirk. This time the burning inside Ryan didn’t spike because he had got one over this man who had hurt his family so much.
As Col became level with him Ryan held up the tube and rattled it. The gold teeth glinted in the harsh fluorescent lights and the effect on Col was powerful. He stopped, pressed his face up to the glass and his lips drew back in an angry snarl. This time it was Ryan’s turn to smirk.
Col rushed for the door and Ryan raced to meet him, Battler close behind. Ryan flung open the door and thrust his face into Col’s.
“Go on, I beg you,” said Ryan, standing nose to nose with the man.
“Where is my brother?” demanded Col.
“Right now in a chest freezer, soon to be cut into nuggets.”
“You fucking bastard.”
“Everything alright?” called a voice.
Two uniformed PC’s hurried up the corridor towards them.
“Everything’s fine officers,” said Ryan, putting on his most relaxed smile. “Just a friendly little chat.”
“Didn’t look very friendly to me,” said one of them, eyeing up a seething Col, who appeared to be struggling with some very disturbing emotions.
“It’s fine, really,” Col told them, unable to keep the anger out of his voice.
The two officers looked at each other then shrugged before walking away. For all they cared the two men could kill each other.
Ryan turned back to Col, who looked homicidal. “We hold the compound and we’ve got Glasgow behind us. Do yourself a favour and retire gracefully before you lose any more brothers. Alex is finished.”
“I’ll fucking get you for this. Don’t forget you’ve got two brothers as well.”
With that Col spun on his heel, walked stiffly into Alex’s room and slammed the door shut.
Ryan returned to Rachel’s room, who regarded him suspiciously.
“What are you up to Ryan?”
“Nothing,” he said innocently.
“Hmmm, I don’t believe you.”
“Nothing for you to worry about Sweetheart, just winding Col up.”
He was saved from having to give her any more details by DCI Taylor waltzing into the room without knocking.
“I’ve stalled as long as I can. Time for that interview,” he told Rachel.
CHAPTER 9
“It’s late, come back tomorrow. Rachel’s tired,” Ryan told DCI Taylor.
“No can do. It has to be now or my colleagues are going to think something funny’s going on.”
“It’s alright Ryan. I want to get it over with,” replied Rachel, wishing this could be put off, she was completely drained after her conversation with Sabine but Taylor wouldn’t go until it was done.
“Thank you Rachel,” he said, taking the seat by her side and pulling out his notebook. “Now, I’ve spoken to the Devon and Cornwall Police,” he said, flicking through his notes, “and they told me all about the fire, although they’ve still no idea who started it, but I think we have a fair idea. I know everything up until when you were abducted from the airport and I want to hear what really happened, not your watered-down version.”
Rachel looked to Ryan standing at the bottom of her bed, who nodded. So she gave Taylor the whole story. By the end of it he looked as exhausted as she felt.
“That’s some tale,” he said. “As your husband claimed the Lucifer’s Shadow MC were responsible for your kidnapping that’s who we’re going after officially. Unfortunately someone must have warned them because they’ve gone to ground. Alex has spies everywhere. It wasn’t me,” he hastily added when Rachel eyed him suspiciously. “I’m trying to stone wall the bastard not help him.” He frowned. “Are you okay Rachel you’ve gone very pale.”
“My throat hurts,” she rasped. All the talking was killing her.
Ryan hastened to pour her a glass of water and held the cup to her lips for her to sip. Taylor noted that Ryan Law’s eyes only softened when he looked at his wife. What Alex did to Rachel was about him just as much as it was about her. He was good at finding people’s weaknesses and Rachel was Ryan’s weakness.
“At least they won’t be able to operate easily,” said Ryan as he helped Rachel settle back down.
“There is that but they have safe houses all over the place, there’s loads of rocks for them to crawl under,” said Taylor. “We’re looking but it’s going to be difficult. There’s a lot of pressure on me and my team from above to get them rounded up as quickly as possible because your abduction is big news. The warehouse burning down made us all look like fools and the Chief Constable is demanding we do something to save face. A nice high profile arrest would do the job. I’m in the bad books,” he said miserably. “On the bright side the two officers guarding the warehouse have taken most of the heat, so to speak. The privilege of rank,” he said with a grim smile. He felt very guilty about the bollocking his PC’s had taken over that, it was only his intervention that meant they’d kept their jobs.
“Laila,” said Rachel.
“I’m sorry?” replied Taylor when her voice came out weak and hoarse.
“Laila, she saved me.”
“Ah, the woman at the brothel?”
“Her body’s lying in some trees on Saddleworth Moor. You have to get her out of there, she deserves a decent burial.”
“If we find the body then a murder investigation will be launched.”
“Fine, just as long as it doesn’t lead back to Alex. There’ll be no ID on her, the authorities don’t even know she’s in this country. If you can’t identify her the case will turn cold, leaving us free to get her justice,” said Rachel.
“Alright. Will you be claiming her body?”
Rachel nodded.
“If you do then questions will be asked about your relationship with her.”
“Can’t you keep it quiet that we’ve claimed her?” said Ryan.
“I suppose I could. Alright, leave it with me.”
“Thanks,” said Rachel, settling back into the pillows. “Are we done? I’m so tired.”
“Yes we are Rachel. Thank you.”
“Are you okay?” Ryan asked her.
“My neck…need sleep,” she mumbled.
A minute later she’d dropped off.
“Nasty wound that,” said Taylor, indicating her neck.
“Very,” Ryan replied tightly.
“You must be ready to unleash hell on the man responsible.”
Ryan nodded, his eyes fixed on her.
“When are you going to do it?”
His eyes flicked to Taylor and narrowed. “When the time’s right. Stop fucking nagging. Why don’t you go and bring back poor Laila?”
“I can take a hint,” he said, getting to his feet. “I’ll leave you with a word of warning. I’ve met a lot of victims of violent crime. Your wife is no longer the woman she was.”
“Don’t you think I know that?”
“But she is no ordinary woman,” he continued. “She’ll burn this city to the ground to get her revenge.”
“Yes, I do believe you’re right.”
Taylor left and Ryan studied his sleeping wife thoughtfully. The man had a point. When Rachel was back on her feet the situation was going to explode. She was the flame in a massive barrel of gunpowder.
“Hey, you can’t come in here,” he heard Battler saying.
Ryan turned in his seat to see a very desperate-looking Stephen Strang trying to enter the room, Battler blocking his way.
“It’s alright, let him in,” said Ryan.
Battler stood aside, watching Strang carefully as he shuffled into the room, looking a mess with bloodshot eyes, skin grey with tiredness.
“Mikey told me Laila’s dead,” he mumbled, glancing at Rachel.
“She is Stephen, I’m so sorry.”
“She died saving Rachel.”
“She was a very brave woman. Don’t blame Rachel for this.”
“I don’t.”
He slumped into the chair Bruiser had vacated, buried his face in his hands and started to cry. Battler huffed, wishing everyone would learn to control themselves.
“We’ve located her sister. She’d been moved to another brothel.”
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