There were soiled dishes and towers of empty pizza boxes scattered around the room.
‘Sorry about the mess, I haven’t had time to do it yet. It’s hard you know, being a single parent.’
The two men said nothing, and instead moved aside a pile of newspapers from an old sofa and sat down. It was Evans who spoke first.
‘Your daughter is Alison Richards, correct?’
‘Yeah, but we call her Allie. What’s she done?’ Paul Richards asked, with a worried look.
‘We don’t think she’s done anything, Sir. We just need to know if she’s here,’ Ross replied.
‘Well, yeah, she should still be in bed. All she does on the weekend is sleep.’
‘Can you show us to her room?’ Evans said as he stood up.
‘This way.’ Paul was wearing a puzzled expression as he led the two detectives to his daughter’s room.
‘Allie, there’s some policemen here to see you,’ he called through the door. There was no answer, so he turned the handle and walked in.
‘She’s not here,’ he said, turning to face the men.
Evans and Ross entered the room, which was unbelievably tidy compared to the living room.
‘Any idea where she might be, Paul? I can call you Paul, can’t I?’ Ross enquired.
‘Yeah, sure. The only place I can think of is her boyfriend’s home. Jack something or other.’
‘This bed looks as if it hasn’t been slept in. Did she come home last night?’ Evans asked.
‘I don’t know; I was on night shift last night.’
‘Is this her?’ Ross asked, indicating a photograph on a bedside table.
‘Yeah, that’s her.’
‘Would you excuse me a moment, Sir? I need to talk to my colleague.’ Evans took Ross into the hallway and closed the bedroom door.
‘What do you think is going on, Steve?’
Ross thought for a moment. ‘What if the boy took the girl with him, to drop off this package, and then ... I don’t know; someone grabbed them?’
‘To get the package, you mean? But where does the father fit into it?’
‘Maybe the kidnappers were holding him close by, then they grabbed the kids, got them all together, ready to take them somewhere else till our boys intervened.’
‘Hmm ... seems to fit. If that’s the case, we’re dealing with multiple kidnappings. It looks more and more likely, from what Winters told me about the boy having blood on his face.’
Evans opened the bedroom door. ‘Do you remember what Allie was wearing last time you saw her?’
‘A light blue dress. Her favorite one, I think,’ her father answered. ‘You haven’t found her hurt or something have you?’
‘No, nothing like that, Sir. Don’t worry. Sit tight. I’ll be back in a second.’
Once again Evans closed the door. ‘Steve, get on the phone to Winters in Widikham. Ask him what the girl involved in the shooting was wearing. Get her description while you’re at it.’
Evans returned to Allie’s bedroom, and Ross re-entered a short time after. Evans looked at him questioningly, and Ross nodded.
Martin Evans was a family man, with two children of his own. He did not relish the thought of what he had to do next. Taking a deep breath, he faced Allie’s father.
‘Are you aware of the kidnapping yesterday of Jack’s dad, Joseph Simpson?’ he asked.
‘What? No! I ... I had no idea. I was working last night. I went straight to bed when I got in. Damn, that poor kid.’
‘I’m afraid I may have some bad news for you. We believe that your daughter was involved in an incident in Widikham this morning. We think -’
‘Widikham! What do you mean, incident?’ Paul interrupted.
‘We think, from the description of your daughter, that she may have been abducted, along with her boyfriend, by the same people who kidnapped Professor Simpson,’ Martin continued.
Pain flashed across Paul Richards’ face. He felt as if someone had just ripped his heart out. He had lost his wife a year ago, and this he couldn’t handle. He couldn’t lose his daughter too. He tried mouthing something, but only one word came out. ‘… why?’
‘We aren’t entirely sure at the moment, but it seems possible that Jack was trying to help his father. Allie may have gone with him,’ Ross answered.
‘You said incident. What incident?’ Paul said.
‘We can’t reveal anything at the moment, but rest assured, we are doing everything we can to find them.’ Martin paused. ‘Paul? Is there someone we can contact for you?’
‘No. There’s only Allie and me.’
‘I’ll have an officer come by and stay, in case the kidnappers call.’
‘Call here? What for?’ Paul asked, puzzled.
‘I don’t know, but I think it would be prudent,’ Evans reassured.
‘I hate that part of the job,’ Martin said, as they drove away from the house.
‘You’re right; it’s never easy. Do you think the kidnappers will call?’
‘I don’t think so, not if they’ve got their hands on that package. I think it’s time I called Winters.’
‘What are you going to tell him?’ Steven asked.
‘Tell him the situation and hope he wants to work together on this one.’ Martin replied. ‘Let’s head back to the office, speak to the Chief, and get permission to go to ACI Labs.’
*
‘I understand Martin, but what makes you think that a secret Government installation is going to let you in their door? Let alone answer any questions you might have,’ the Chief asked.
‘I’m not expecting them to reveal their secrets, Sir. I do think, though, that they may tell us something that could indicate the kind of work the Professor was working on,’ Martin argued.
‘And you believe that?’
‘It’s worth a try. Besides, anything they tell us could help us find the Professor. That has to be worth something to them. A missing government scientist might reveal a lot of secrets if pushed. Something the government, I’m sure, would like to avoid.’
The Chief drummed his fingers on his desk, deep in thought.
‘Good point; I’ll inform Middleton that you’ll be in their area, following a lead. We don’t want any unpleasantness.’
‘Thanks, Sir.’
‘One last thing. Watch your backs. After what happened in Widikham, I want you in vests. Understand?’
‘Yes, Sir.’
Martin Evans left the Chief's office and went in search of Ross. As he walked through the open plan office, he spoke to his team individually.
‘Frank, I’m off to Middleton, and you’re in the hot seat. Kate, I want you to keep up the enquiries this end, and inform me of any change. Any questions?’
No questions were forthcoming.
‘Steve, grab your body armor and an overnight bag; we may have to spend a couple of days out of town.’ He saw Steve’s face drop. ‘She’ll understand, it was only the second date anyway.’
‘Yeah, but she was hot,’ Steve complained.
‘No, that was just the steam from the burger van!’ Frank joked.
‘At least mine doesn’t walk on all fours and howl at the moon,’ Steve returned.
The detective staff burst into laughter.
‘All right, keep it down; I’ve an important call to make,’ Martin called from the doorway to his office.
‘Winters? It’s Martin Evans.’
‘What have you got for me?’
‘Looks like a positive ID on the two kids involved in the shooting. The Professor’s son and the boy’s girlfriend.’
‘Kids involved in a kidnapping?’ Winters asked puzzled.
‘No, it would appear, and this is pure speculation, that the boy and the girl were trying to get Simpson released. The boy was apparently carrying something that we think would make sure the kidnappers would give him up. Apparently, Simpson is some kind of top-notch government scientist up in Middleton. I’m going up there to see what they know
. Any news for me?’
‘Yes, our suspected kidnapper’s just come out of surgery. We should be able to question him soon,’ Winters replied.
‘Let me know what he says, will you?’
‘Of course. Listen I’ve got to go; I’m pretty tied up this end.’
‘Okay, so that you know, I’m heading to Widikham. See you soon.’
Winters replaced the receiver back in the car phone’s cradle.
‘If they did all this to kidnap a scientist, what the hell would they do if we found the kidnappers?’ he questioned the air.
A uniformed officer approached the car.
‘Sir, traffic says the roads are now clear.’
‘Have forensics finished?’
‘Yes, Sir.’
‘Good. Clear our boys out and let the traffic through.’
The officer walked away, giving orders as he went.
‘Detective Harris to Chief Winters,’ came a voice over the radio.
‘Winters here. Go ahead.’
‘Sir, the suspect has regained consciousness. We should be able to ask him a few questions soon.’
‘Great. I’m on my way. I should be there in thirty minutes. Then again, the traffic’s starting to build up here.’
‘Should the guard remain with him, Sir?’
‘Affirmative. And nobody speaks to him except me.’
‘Understood. Harris out.’
The radio beeped, then went silent. Winters threw it onto the passenger seat of his car and climbed into the driving seat.
He was furious by the time he reached the hospital; the traffic had been horrendous, and to make matters worse, an overzealous parking attendant threatened him with wheel clamping if he didn’t pay the parking fee.
‘I don’t care if you’re a policeman or not. Rules is rules. Everyone pays, or I get it in the neck from my boss.’
Winters threw the money at the attendant and stormed off. ‘Put them in a uniform, and they think they own the planet,’ he said through gritted teeth, shaking his head as he walked.
Arriving at reception, he had to wait behind three elderly ladies who wanted to visit their mother. Eventually, though, he was directed to ICU which was on the top floor of the hospital.
Spotting Harris, he approached him.
‘Where is he?’ he asked.
‘Just around the corner.’
‘Is he fit for questioning?’
‘I’ve been having that argument with the doctor for thirty minutes now. He flatly refuses to let us question him.’
‘We’ll see about that,’ Winters said with determination. ‘Where’s the doctor?’
‘This way.’ Harris led his superior to a small office set aside from the ward.
‘Doctor? Chief Winters. When can I see my suspect?’
‘It’s difficult to say. He’s been through a lot; he hasn’t been long out of surgery,’ the doctor replied.
‘Make a guess.’
‘Two or three day’s maybe.’
‘That’s not good enough. I need to see him now.’
‘I’m sorry, but that’s impossible.’
‘That man has just injured police officers and shot one of them. I need to see him now!’ Winters' voice was quite menacing.
‘No!’
‘Try and stop me!’ Winters threatened, barging out of the room, followed closely by Harris.
‘Sir, I don’t think this is a good idea.’
‘I know, but I need answers. He could die at any moment, and I wouldn’t get them. Take me to him,’ Winters demanded.
Harris led the chief to a private room, away from the main ward. Outside were two police officers wearing full body armor and carrying M16 assault rifles alongside their usual side arms.
‘I need to see some identification, Sir.’
Winters and Harris flashed their police badges.
‘Very good, Sir.’
‘No one comes into the room while I’m in there. No one! Do you understand?’ Winters asked.
‘Yes, Sir.’
Both detectives stepped into the room and were hit immediately by the sound of medical equipment and the beep of a heart monitor. A nurse was leaning over Schism’s bed attending to him.
‘Leave us,’ Winters ordered. He was in no mood to be messed around.
‘I have to see to his bandages,’ the nurse announced.
‘NOW!’ he shouted.
The nurse quickly made an exit.
‘This is him, eh?’ Winters picked up Schism’s chart from the end of the bed. ‘According to this, he doesn’t look too healthy. No name?’
‘We didn’t find any identification on him,’ Harris said.
‘Too bad. I usually like to know who I’m talking to.’ Winters moved closer to the patient. ‘Hello, can you hear me?’
Schism opened his eyes.
‘What’s your name?’
The surgery had made Schism’s throat dry, so speaking was difficult.
‘Mike Schism.’ he said in a barely audible whisper.
‘Why did you shoot my officer?’
‘Panicked.’
‘Why did you kidnap those people?’
‘Money. But boss wanted plans.’
‘What plans? What boss?’ Winters asked, getting closer to hear better.
Schism shook his head, indicating that he didn’t know. ‘Boy had plans.’ Schism began to cough, spitting up blood. It was a few minutes before he recovered enough to continue.
‘Who threw you out of the truck?’ Harris asked.
‘Woman.’
‘Why?’ continued Harris.
‘For shooting the cop.’
‘Where have they taken Professor Simpson and the children?’ Winters asked.
‘Don’t know … a boat is all I was told.’ Again Schism coughed uncontrollably. Then came a sound Winters had hoped wouldn’t come.
The heart monitor emitted a constant tone indicating that Schisms heart had stopped.
‘Damn! Not now. Harris, get a doctor in here.’
Harris rushed to the door and flung it open. He saw the doctor standing by the doorway.
‘His heart’s stopped,’ he informed him.
‘I know. Let me in.’
Harris stepped aside, letting the man enter. Two nurses followed behind. The doctor quickly checked Schism over.
‘We need a crash trolley. And get this policeman out of here.’
Winters was sat on a bench outside the room, staring into a plastic cup of tea Harris had brought him when the doctor came out of the room.
‘Can I have a word with you, in my office please?’ the doctor asked.
Winters stood and followed the man into his office. The door was closed.
‘When I say that a patient is not to be seen, I say this for a good reason,’ the doctor said seriously.
‘How is he?’ Winters asked.
‘He has suffered a significant cardiac event and further internal bleeding. Our attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. I pronounced the patient deceased five minutes ago,’ the doctor answered.
Winters' face fell at the news.
‘You do realize, I will have to report this matter?’ the doctor continued.
‘I’d expect nothing less,’ Winters replied. ‘Would he have survived at all?’
‘With enough time to heal, very possibly.’
CHAPTER NINE
It was cold and damp. The room was dark, and there was a discernible rocking motion. The three captives felt queasy, and each had a sickly-sweet taste in their mouth.
‘I think the taste’s an after effect of the drug they used on us. At least they’ve taken off the handcuffs,’ Joe said.
‘I wish this dizziness would go away,’ Jack complained.
‘Tell me about it,’ Allie agreed, rubbing her temples, trying to clear her head. ‘Where are we?’
‘Judging by the sound, I think we’re on a larger boat,’ Joe replied, noting the noise of lapping water against the sides of the room.<
br />
‘I think I can make out a door over there,’ Jack pointed out.
‘Son, check it out, but be careful,’ Joe instructed.
Jack slowly and carefully made his way towards the door. He had to bypass quite a few wooden boxes, catching his shins as he did so, due to his unsteady gait.
The door was made of very solid looking wooden panels, and it was locked tight. Despondent, he returned to the others.
‘It’s hopeless. There’s no way we’re getting through that door,’ he said.
‘Well, it was worth a try.’
‘We could have a look around; see if there’s anything we could use to open it,’ Allie said.
Jack agreed. ‘Better than sitting around doing nothing.’
The three found it very hard to see in the darkness. Curses rang out as they bumped into box after box.
‘You were right, Doc. There’s a porthole behind this box,’ Allie said. ‘It’s heavy, though. Someone help, maybe we can shift it.’
Jack and his father joined Allie and heaved the enormous box out of the way. A stream of sunlight poured into the room, temporarily blinding them.
‘At least we can get some fresh air now,’ Jack said.
Joe stepped up to the porthole and wiped it clean before looking out.
‘I think we’re anchored in a harbor. We don’t appear to be moving. Wait! Yes, I can see a beach and some kind of port. I might be able to see better if we opened the porthole.’ He stepped back and allowed Jack to loosen the catch on the little window.
It opened easily, letting in a burst of fresh salty air. They all inhaled deeply, filling their lungs.
Allie peered out of the opening and craned her neck to see better. ‘Well, I think we are close enough. We could make a swim for it.’
‘I’m afraid even you couldn’t fit through that hole. There’s no way we’re getting out of this room,’ Joe pointed out.
‘That’s it then.’ Jack said.
‘Not quite,’ Allie said mysteriously.
Joe looked puzzled. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Suppose a ship was passing, and we got a message to it somehow,’ she replied.
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