Starting Over (New Beginnings #1)

by Gillian Joy

  "Really?"

  "According to Liam, the girls were changing shifts when she left, so they followed. He told them to keep on them discretely."

  "I need Liam's number."

  "I'll message it to you now."

  "Thanks Connor, we'll get them back okay?"

  "Yeah." Connor agreed with Tyson, but he didn't feel it. All he felt was sick as he imagined his Ash sitting next to that monster.

  Liam picked up the phone without even checking the caller ID. He was still waiting for the girls to confirm whether or not there were any other passengers in the car. They hadn't noticed anything through the tinted windows, since they were a bit too dark to tell, and at the distance they were trailing they couldn't make out anything much at all. They promised to call him back as soon as they could confirm.

  "What ya got?" Liam answered expecting the girls to be calling him.

  "Is this Liam Chalmers?"

  "Sorry, yes it is."

  "Mr Chalmers, my name is Senior Sergeant Tyson Callum. I believe you have a track on a vehicle owned by a Mr Mark Cross."

  "We have a follow on Mrs Ash Cross, as we have been hired to provide."

  "Mr Chalmers, I don't give a rats’ arse right now about whether or not your 'follow' is legal. All I care about is getting Mrs Cross and her daughters back safely. Do you know where they are?"

  "Yes sir."

  "Can you tell me where they are please?"

  "Senior Sergeant Callum, I don't know if you are who you say you are, so I need to confirm a few facts before I'll divulge that information."

  "Fine, meet me at the Mornington police station as soon as you can. I'm on my way now. Ask for me personally when you get there."

  Liam didn't waste any more time waiting for the girls to call him back. He called them and told them that the twins were definitely with Mr and Mrs Cross, and they weren't to lose the tail under any circumstances. Then as he drove to the police station he called Connor back as well to fill him in and confirm if he had heard of Senior Sergeant Tyson Callum. He was pretty sure it was all above board, but he never took anything for granted. For all he knew Mark Cross had already lost Ash and it was a ruse to try to find her again.

  Connor confirmed he knew the Senior Sergeant and that he is speaking to him regarding this abduction. He agreed to meet with Liam and the Senior Sergeant at the police station.

  Liam and Connor were seated in an interview room when Tyson Callum came into speak to them.

  "Hi Connor, wasn't expecting you." He said, reaching out to shake the man's hand. "Liam Chalmers I assume."

  Liam held his hand out and shook the policeman's. "Senior Sergeant."

  "So I assume you've spoke to Connor and confirmed I am who I claim to be. Please tell me you know where the Cross's are?"

  "Yeah, I've still got a team on them. They couldn't confirm if the girls were with them, but Connor assured me they were picked up from school by Mr Cross so we are assuming they are in the car."

  "I've been to the school, Sarah and Beth were released into Mr Cross's custody, we're assuming that is the only reason Mrs Cross would have left with him, so we are working on the basis that this a kidnapping, if you tell us where they are, we'll get a car to intercept and bring Mr Cross in for kidnapping in addition to the breach of an interim order.

  Liam called Jaime back and put the call on loudspeaker so Connor and Tyson could hear.

  "Hey boss, we’re still on them, stop hassling."

  "Hi Jamie, I'm not hassling, but that's good to hear. I'm at the police station with Mr Maise and Senior Sergeant Callum, where are you exactly?"

  "Just going over the Bolte."

  "Jamie, we believe they're heading to Queensland, the question is only going to be whether they're driving or flying. Can you confirm if they turn into the Tulla, or alternatively keep going up the Sydney freeway?"

  "Sure can, do you want us to call you back?"

  "No, stay on the line. It'll only be a few minutes." Tyson said. If they were headed to the airport, it would be easy to intercept them going through security, and there was no way Mark Cross would be able to carry a gun if he still had it with him. Tyson had done a firearms check and knew Mark Cross didn't have a license to carry or own a firearm.

  His preference was for the airport, and if he thought it would be quicker he'd check to see if there were any flights booked in the Cross's names, but as things stood he'd know in a matter of minutes if that was where they were headed.

  If they were driving, he planned to organise for a car to pull them up on the highway. If they waited till just past Wallan the traffic would be negligible, and if things were in their favour Mark Cross would have no idea he was being pulled up for anything other than a breath test or license check. He'd pull over and be arrested before he was any the wiser.

  "They're not turning off." Jamie confirmed a few minutes later.

  "Thanks Jamie, are you right to stay on them for a little bit? I'll set up to have a marked car pull them over on the other side of Wallan."

  "Not a problem, we'll back off and follow. We'll call you back if anything changes."

  "Appreciate it." Tyson replied.

  "Jamie, thank you." Connor added. "I appreciate you following them."

  "It's what we're paid for Mr Maise."

  "Still, thanks."

  "No worries."

  "Thanks Jamie, thanks Lydia, call us back if anything changes."

  "Sure thing Boss."

  "Bye."

  "Bye." Liam cut the call.

  Tyson stood up from the table.

  "Thanks guys, I'll let you know how it all goes."

  "Wait, what?" Connor stated. "That's it? I'm not going anywhere. I need to know what's happening."

  "Connor, I know you are worried, but they are over an hour away from us. Given the increase in traffic since they left, more like an hour and a half. Trust me, I'd love to be there to pull that arsehole over and slap the cuffs on him, but it's not going to happen. I'll liaise with Wallan, and get a car to pull them over. They'll discretely get him out of the car, and have him arrested before he even knows what's going on. Then we'll get Ash and the girl’s safely back to the hospital and have them checked over." He raised his hand before Connor could object. "It's only a precaution. Just to make sure they're okay; I'm sure they're fine, but even if nothing at all happen to them, they will probably still be suffering from shock and that needs to be monitored."

  "So what do I do?"

  "Go home and wait."

  "I can't."

  "Well, I can't stand here and argue with you. Until I get moving, nothing is happening and the further they get, the further she is from you when we get her back." Tyson knew it was harsh, but he also knew it was the only way he could quickly exit the room without seeming rude.

  A shocked look crossed Connor’s face before he waved Tyson from the room.

  "Go then!" He said loudly, frustration evident in his voice and posture.

  "Wait here if you want. I'll keep you updated."

  Connor nodded.

  "I'll stay too." Liam said. "If Jamie and Lydia call in with any changes it'll save time if I'm already here.

  Tyson nodded and left the room.

  ****

  Liam stood up and walked towards the door.

  "I'll grab us some coffees’, you want one?"

  "Irish?" Connor half chuckled.

  Liam raised an eyebrow.

  "Strong and sweet please." He said in a resigned tone.

  "Connor, it'll be fine. We know where she is and the police will have her back to you before you know it." Liam said as he left.

  Connor nodded but without the conviction Liam was trying to portray. He sat at the table with his head in his hands, dreading the next hour or so. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and looked at all the missed calls.

  Hayden, six of them. Now he was just stalking.

  Deb, four. Hayden must have called her.

  Blake.

  Ari
ane.

  Even Declan had called.

  Had Hayden called all of them? He hadn't been here that long, and he'd only switched the phone to silent as he'd walked into the police station, so that was a lot of calls in the last fifteen to twenty minutes.

  He called Hayden back first.

  "What’s going on, why haven't you called me back Connor, where is she? Don't you realise how worried we are. Where are you?" Hayden answered the phone without even so much as a hello.

  "If you'd shut up for half a second. I might be able to reply."

  "Well?"

  "I'm at the police station." Connor said, then began explaining everything else that has happened, was happening, and what was planned.

  "So now I am sitting at the police station waiting on Liam to get back with a coffee, and the police to get back to me to confirm what's happening."

  "All right then, please keep me posted Connor. I love her too you know."

  "I will Cuz, but now I've got to go; I've got to call Deb back, and Blake and Ariane apparently."

  "Yeah, sorry. I couldn't reach you. I didn't call Blake though."

  "No, that would have been Deb."

  "Probably. Do you want to me to call them back for you?"

  "Nah it's okay. Deb will kill me if I don't call her back and I'll get her to call Blake. Although... If you could call Ariane for me, that would be great."

  "Argh... Really? Do I have to?" Hayden hated the idea of having to call Ariane, but he'd do it if it was what his cousin needed at this time.

  "No, it's okay. I'll call her, don't worry about it." Connor said, a small smile playing over his face at his cousin’s reluctance.

  "Thanks Cuz, chin up and keep me posted."

  "Bye Hayden."

  Connor was only half way through his call to Deb when Liam returned with his coffee. Damn, he was glad for that; if nothing else at least a caffeine hit might make him feel a bit better.

  He arranged for Deb to call Blake for him, and Ariane as well with his apologies and an explanation that he would call her as soon as he could.

  "Yeah, I'll do that for you Connor, but so help me, if you don't call me as soon as you know anything, I'll hunt you down. I can't believe this is happening. It's insane."

  "Yeah I know... Deb I don't know what I'll do if anything happens to her. I can't live without her. I just can't."

  "She'll be fine Connor; she'll be okay, really. She has to be."

  "I know, thanks Sis. I'll call you as soon as I have an update."

  "Thanks." Connor said to Liam, picking up the coffee and taking a sip. He picked his phone up to call Declan when Liam's phone rang.

  "Hi Jamie... Okay thanks, I'll let them know. I'll call you back if you need updating, call me when they're on the move again."

  Connor looked at Liam expectantly.

  "They stopped at a service centre; I'll let the police know what's happening."

  Liam left the room and Connor called Declan.

  ****

  Chapter 25

  Ash's heart started pounding as Mark slowed down and indicated as he pulled off the freeway and into the service centre. He pulled up at the petrol pump and leant forward to pull his wallet out of his back pocket. He pulled out his credit card and handed it to Ash.

  "Swipe it at the pump, and fill it up. Six two five eight."

  "Daddy, can we have a drink please?" Sarah asked quietly.

  Ash was in two minds about telling her no. She didn't want Mark to have any excuse at all to get angry with the girls, but she wanted an excuse to go into the store. If she could speak to the attendant while she paid, she didn't need long, a few moments at most.

  "No! Just deal with it."

  "I need to do a wee Daddy." Beth said.

  "Damn stupid bloody kids, I swear Ash. If I didn't need the... Shut them up for God sake."

  "Mark, they're little girls, they need to wee. Please."

  "Fill the car up Ash. We'll sort it out after you're done."

  Ash left the door open while she swiped the credit card and filled the car up. As she looked around the service station while she filled up, she noticed the car parked at the entrance to the shop. She recognised the two women sitting in the front seat and her heart soared. Jamie and Lydia were sitting there waiting, and Ash's heart filled with hope. She was feeling better as she replaced the petrol pump and climbed back into the car.

  The relief didn't last long, as she got back into the car both the girls were sobbing in the back seat. They weren't uncontrollable sobs, but rather soft heartbreaking sobs.

  "They need to go to the toilet Mark. For God's sake!" She shouted, her anger overriding her fear.

  "They can go now." Mark answered.

  "Get out girls; both of you now, go together."

  Ash made to open her door, but Mark reached across and grabbed her arm.

  "They can go alone Ash."

  "No they can't, they're little girls, and they cannot go in a public bathroom by themselves."

  "They'll go together. You're staying here." He said.

  His grip on Ash's arm increased, his fingernails cutting into her skin.

  "No Mark." She pleaded.

  "Yes Ash." He replied reaching across with his other hand and stroking the barrel of the gun sitting under his leg.

  She turned to the girls.

  "Hold hands. Go together, straight there and straight back. Don't talk to anybody okay?"

  "Yes Mummy." The girls murmured quietly still sobbing softly, they got out of the car and walked across the petrol station driveway towards the shop entry.

  The girls walked through the doors and Mark started up the car and put it into drive.

  "What are you doing Mark?" Ash screamed.

  "We're leaving. I don't need the girls."

  "No! No Mark no. You can't leave them here, alone in a damned petrol station. Mark please." She screamed.

  Mark leaned over and back handed her across the face.

  "Shut up now Ash or you will quickly become reacquainted with my friend." He threatened stroking the gun again.

  Ash sat quietly starring back at the petrol station as they drove away with tears streaming down her cheeks. Her only hope was that Jamie and Lydia stayed and took care of the girls and didn't worry about her. She actually hoped that her best chance at a rescue let her go.

  ****

  Jamie watched as the two girls walked into the petrol station hand in hand.

  "Jamie, they're leaving now." Lydia said.

  "What? No. The girls just walked inside... fuck, fuck, fuck! Lydia? What the fuck? We can't leave them and we can't lose her."

  Lydia opened the door and jumped out of the car. "Go, go, go; I'll get the girls. You go."

  "Shit, crap. Okay. Bye." Jamie put the car into reverse and backed out and followed once again after the Audi. She called Liam.

  Lydia went into the store and looked around for the girls but couldn't see them. She ran quickly up and down the aisles but couldn't find them anywhere.

  "Did you see two little girls walk in here a minute ago?" She asked the cashier.

  "They went into the toilet." He answered with a nod towards the toilet door at the back of the store.

  Thank God, she thought as she walked in that direction.

  Lydia pushed the door open to see a young girl, long smooth black hair standing at the sink.

  "Hi Sweetie," She said, she knew the girls’ names were Beth and Sarah but she had no idea which one was which, and she knew they were twins so she figured even if she did know, she probably wouldn't be able to tell them apart. The girl looked up at her but didn't answer her and didn't acknowledge her at all apart from staring at her.

  "Hurry up Sarah." The girl called knocking on the toilet door. "There's a lady out here who needs the toilet."

  "No, I'm all right Sweetie; I'm waiting for you guys. Your Mum had to go, but I'll take you to meet up with her later. Your name's Beth, right?

  "No, my Mum's outside in the car.
Sarah, hurry up." She said, knocking on the door again.

  "I'm coming, sheez..." Sarah answered as she came out of the cubicle and moved to wash her hands.

  "Come on Sarah," Beth said, "let's get back to Mummy quickly." She added looking briefly in Lydia's direction before grabbing her sister’s hand and pulling her out of the toilet and eventually out of the store.

  Lydia sighed, the girls were pretty clued in to the whole stranger danger thing and obviously heeded their Mum’s advice well, but that wasn't going to help her now. She pulled her phone out of her pocket and followed the girls outside calling Liam as she went. The call went straight to voicemail. Damn, she needed Connor’s telephone number. Since she knew there was no point in calling Ash, she called the head office to get his contact details.

  Beth started to panic as soon as she stepped outside and couldn't see the car. Her Mum wouldn't leave them, her Mum would never leave them, her Dad, yeah sure, he'd done it before, but not her Mum. But she knew things weren't right with her Mum, she had that look in eye, she hadn't seen that look in a long time, but it always used to scare her, and as soon as her Mum had gotten into the car with their Daddy, the look had returned.

  Lydia came up beside the two girls as tears fell down Sarah's cheeks. Beth stepped in front of her sister at Lydia's approach.

  "Hey girls." She said.

  "You stay away from me and my sister." Beth said eyes rimmed with tears she obviously refused to shed. "We'll call the police if you come near us okay."

  Lydia raised her hands and stopped walking closer.

  "Honest Beth, I know your Mum, Ash; we've been following you since you left Target. Your dad wasn't supposed to take you girls, or your mum anywhere."

  Beth listened but didn't say anything in reply so Lydia continued.

  "Do you trust Connor?"

  "Yeah," The reply was hushed and quiet.

  "Well, how about I call Connor, and you can talk to him and make sure I am who I say I am, okay?"

  Beth looked at her for a minute before holding her hand out for the phone.

  "I'll call Connor."

  "You know his number?"

  Beth nodded and Lydia unlocked it with her pass code, opened the phone and passed it to the young girl.