by Iris Deorre
‘She’s beautiful!’
‘As you can see, she has your eye colour Mrs Beach, and she’s mixed. The child could pass as your own.’
‘Yes she would. Thank you so much, she’s beautiful!’
Lucia smiled. It seemed her work was almost done with Paige, but there would be others. The couple studied the photos for a while. It was a happy moment for them both. Mister Beach looked up at Dimitri.
‘If you have any questions, please ask.’
Mister Beach had a lot of questions, but there was one that kept bugging him. A question he’d asked before, but couldn’t help but ask again.
‘Is everything above board?’ Mister Beach asked.
Dimitri looked at him calmly and smiled. He knew that this question would come up again and again, and he was well prepared for it.
‘I understand your concerns, Mister Beach. Like I said before, everything is above board. The children that come into our possession are orphans. We’re doing great work for them. When Paige came along, we knew she’d be perfect for you.’ He smiled.
Mister Beach nodded and smiled too. His wife did the same and sniffed as tears of joy ran down her cheeks. She was so happy that she’d be able to finally become a mother. They’d flown in from Finland, and soon they would fly home with their daughter.
‘Thank you for everything,’ said Mister Beach. ‘You’ve made us happy new parents!’
‘It’s a pleasure. I’m just glad you put your trust in our company.’ He beamed and looked at Lucia who nodded in agreement. ‘Now if you just sign the paper work, and we’ll get all the documents ready.’
The couple nodded.
‘You said you’d keep her name, is that right?’
‘Yes, but we’d like to change her surname to Beach.’
‘Yes, we’ve made arrangements for that. Everything will be in order when you pick her up.’ Dimitri stood up.
They stood up too and shook hands.
‘It’s not long now. She’ll soon be yours.’
They were happy; soon they would be proud parents to a beautiful little girl!
****
London moved about the room taking clothes from the closet and putting them into her suitcase. Portia came to the doorway like she’d always done, since London was a child, when something was wrong.
‘Mum, you don’t have to be here. Go home, go and be with dad,’ she said without turning.
‘Honey, this man is dangerous.’ She stepped into the room. ‘I don’t trust him.’
London turned to her mother. ‘I know you don’t, but I do.’
‘Please, don’t do this.’ Portia begged.
‘Please don’t worry about me. I’m will find my baby, and bring her back!’ She threw in a pair of black jeans. She wasn’t sure how long they would be.
‘There is a better way to do this.’
‘You keep saying that, but so far, that has brought no results. I have to do something. I can’t just sit around and wait.’
‘But what good will it do, to risk your life?’
‘I’m not risking my life.’
‘You are!’
‘Mum. Please. I can’t do this now. I’m leaving in twenty minutes, and there is nothing you can say to stop me.’
Portia gasped. It wasn’t like London to behave this way, but then again, this had never happened to her before.
‘I know you’re worried. But if you were in my shoes, you’d do whatever it took. I know you would.’
Portia stepped down and allowed. There was no point fighting her, it wasn’t going anywhere.
‘Okay,’ she said finally. ‘Please just take care of yourself.’
‘I will mum, I promise.’ She hugged her mother, and then continued to pack.
Twenty minutes later the car arrived to pick her up. Portia watched from the front door as London hopped into the dark mysterious car.
‘Hi,’ she smiled at him.
‘Hi.’ He was equally happy to see her.
There was a strange feeling between them, but the chemistry was great. As the car moved off, he placed his hand gently over hers. A shot of tingles fizzled through her body as he gently rubbed his thumb over the top of her hand.
‘Where are we heading?’ she asked.
‘South America.’
‘What!’ Is that where they’d taken her baby, she couldn’t believe it!
‘I’m afraid so. We tracked down all the private jets that left the day Paige was taken.’
‘Wow.’ She tore up again. ‘My poor baby. There was no way the police would’ve found out, or would they?’
‘Don’t worry, we’ll find her. We’ll get her back I promise. I have a lot of connections over there, and they’ve something for us. I’m hoping it’s a location.’
She nodded.
‘We need to work quickly, things like these are businesses.’
‘What are you saying?’ She wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer to that.
‘I’m saying that Paige was taken to be...’ He didn’t want to tell her so bluntly.
‘Tell me, I can handle it.’
‘To be sold.’
She gasped. Things spun around her, she couldn’t cope with that thought.
‘Listen to me.’ He took back her hand. It felt familiar and he would do everything in his power to make sure he got Paige back. ‘This is good news.’
‘How is it?’
‘We know she’s still alive. The bad news is that, we don’t know if she’s still in South America or has been taken some place else. But at least we’re onto something.’
London nodded.
‘I promise. I’ll get these bastards!’ He was certain of it.
She leaned onto his shoulder. She hadn’t known him long, but it felt like she’d known him a lifetime. There was something comforting being with him. London felt protected.
He rubbed her shoulder gently. He felt protective over her. He knew that he would break the necks of everyone involved with the kidnapping of Paige. It was in his blood to hunt and kill, and now he had more reason to do so. For a moment he wondered if she understood who he really was. There was dark and light fighting deep down within him. He wanted to share his light with her, but what would happen when she saw his dark side?
‘I need you to listen to me very carefully,’ he said.
London lifted, the tone in his voice made her a little nervous.
‘We’re going into a territory that probably doesn’t abide by the law.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I mean, these people are ruthless criminals that not even the police can tame.’
‘Okay.’ She wasn’t sure where this was all going.
‘What I’m trying to say is...’ He still couldn’t articulate it. ‘That, we might have to do some things to people to get answers from them.’
‘What kind of things?’
‘Hurtful things, things that will cause them pain.’
She was quiet for a moment.
‘You might not like it, but I must be honest with you from the start.’
She gazed ahead. The car drove onto the private air space and stopped. The feelings of pain, grief and anger had all been balled up into one. The face of her daughter was always on the forefront of her mind.
‘Do whatever you have to,’ she said without shifting her gaze. ‘Whatever it takes!’
His lips curled. ‘I’m glad we’re on the same page.’
She turned to him and smiled only slightly as the driver opened the door.
‘Shall we?’ He held out his hand after he’d stepped out of the car.
London nodded, took his hand, and soon they walked to the waiting private plane.
****
Detective Gates looked at his mobile phone the moment he stopped the car. This had been the fourth call from that number. He looked at the package to his left that he’d picked up from the post office, and decided which one was more important. He was certain the package was the incrimina
ting evidence Nadine had sent him. The package could wait a few minutes, it would need his undivided attention anyway. He returned the call. A few rings later a woman answered.
‘I have three missed called from this number,’ he said.
‘Yes, detective, it’s Portia Nolan. London’s mother.’
‘Oh yes. What can I do for you?’
‘It’s London.’
‘What about her?’
‘I’m worried she might step into trouble.’
‘Why do you think that?’
‘She’s left with Victor Adamovich.’
‘Left to go where?’ His ears perked up. He’d had a few guys on Victor, no one had mentioned he’d left the county or country.
‘I’m not sure, but London packed to leave with him, something about finding Paige.’
‘Where do you think they’re going?’
‘I’m not sure, but I think they’re leaving the country. He promised to find Paige, so that’s what he’s going to do.’
‘Dam it!’ The words caught him off guard and he quickly apologised to Portia. ‘I’m going to look into this. Try not to worry.’
‘Okay, please just bring my daughter and granddaughter back safely.’
‘I intend to.’ He looked at the package. Now more than ever he could have all the manpower he needed. He was certain there was enough evidence in that package to convince the boss to get more men on Victor. ‘I’ll get back in touch once I’ve found something.’
‘Thank you detective.’ She hung up.
Detective Gates looked at the package. He couldn’t imagine what was inside and couldn’t wait to find out. He picked it up, hopped out of the car and made his way to his flat. He shut the door behind him, headed straight for the kitchen and switched on the kettle. He placed the brown package on the table, and then ripped it open. His heart sunk the moment he pulled out a Littlewoods catalogue.
‘What the fuck!’ He threw the catalogue as far as it would go. ‘Dam it!’ He fumed. He scrolled his phone and rang her number, she picked up on the second ring. ‘Do you think this is a bloody joke?! Did he put you up to this?’ he was livid.
‘I’m sorry, who is this?’ Nadine asked.
‘It’s Detective Gates, you sent me a package, but it’s a fucking catalogue! What the hell!’
‘I’m sorry, I don’t know who you are or how you got this number, please don’t call me again!’ She hung up.
‘Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!’ He threw his phone against the wall and the minute it hit the it he regretted it. But he was so angry, that this had happened to him. Would he ever win over Victor Adamovich?! He was beginning to think not.
****
‘There, I’ve done it. Can I get back to my life now?’ Nadine asked one of Victors minions.
‘Phone.’ He held out his hand.
She handed him the mobile.
‘Could you go now, I’ve got things to do.’
‘You’re not getting off that easy,’ he said with a slight smile.
Nadine swallowed back hard.
‘He gave you an amazing life to start over. Money, a new house, but you still felt the need to take him down.’
‘What do you care? You only work for him.’
‘Here’s the thing.’ He knelt down to her level. ‘I hate spoilt bitches like you, but out of respect for Victor, I’ll hold off doing terrible things to you.’
She gulped.
‘Right now, I’m the one who will keep you in place until he gets here.’
‘Victor?’
He nodded. She didn’t like the sound of that.
‘Did you really think he’d let something like that slip past him. You must’ve forgotten who you’re dealing with.’ He stood up. ‘Now if you don’t mind, I’ll have a drink.’ He started for the kitchen. ‘But don’t worry, you can go about your business, shop, do whatever girly things you do. Just know that I’ll be there, always.’
She didn’t say a word. Nothing good could come out of any of that.
****
Victor had spent most of the time on the phone, and smoking cigarettes, but it wasn’t too bad for London. There was lots of entertainment on board. When the plane finally landed, they were driven to a place that was in the middle of nowhere. Victor stepped out of the Landrover and looked around. He pulled out his phone and made a call. A few minutes later two more Landrover’s drove up the dusty road and finally stopped behind Victor’s car.
‘Are you sure this is the place?’ Victor asked Bradley as he walked towards him.
‘It is,’ said Bradley.
‘They don’t know we’re coming, do they?’
‘No they don’t.’
Victor nodded. He pulled off his black jacket and threw it in the car.
‘Victor?’ said London.
‘We’re going in, you stay here.’
‘I can’t. If my daughter is in there, I want to be there to take her home.’
He sat in the car a moment with her. It was clear she wasn’t aware of the density of the situation.
‘For now, please just stay here. There are some very bad people in there. I don’t want you to get hurt.’
She watched him, she wasn’t sure how she felt about that, but instead of arguing, she nodded.
‘Great. I promise if she’s in there, we’ll bring her out.’ He leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
‘Okay.’ The door shut, and she watched as the men made their way towards the dingy looking warehouse. They moved towards the smaller building that looked like offices and stepped in.
Her heart pumped. She was terrified. Was Paige really in there? Had they been feeding her? Was she well? Every thought made her more nervous and sicker than ever. Even though she’d promised to stay put, she just couldn’t sit there and do nothing.
She looked to the left of the car and noticed the driver smoking a cigarette. She had to get out even if she had to make a run for it. She waited for the right moment. But it never seemed to come. But the longer it took, the harder it was for her to wait. She knocked against the window and the driver walked over and opened the door.
‘I really need to get some fresh air. It’s really hot.’ She stepped out. ‘I’ll just have a look around, I won’t go far.’
He was about to hesitate.
‘I promise! I promised Victor, wouldn’t go into the warehouse. You’ll have to trust me like he trusts me. I just need to walk, to calm my nerves.’
He took a drag of the cigarette and nodded. London looked at the warehouse in front of her. She felt faint just thinking that her daughter was in there. She walked away from it, as if to the side, and she was soon out of the driver’s sight. The windows to the building were shattered, and she was certain she could hear sounds of children, either crying or screaming. Her stomach tightened. She couldn’t bear the thought that her daughter could be in there.
She walked around to the back and found a door. The handle clicked opened and she stepped in. Taking slow steps she started for the first door where she’d heard a child screaming. She tried the door, and with enough effort, it opened. In the corner of a dark room, a little girl was curled up into a ball, with no shoes and only a dirty white dress.
‘Oh my god!’ London ran towards the little girl and took her into her arms. She stroked the girls blond curls and tried as best she could to calm her down.
‘I want my mummy. When can I see my mummy?’ The little girl cried.
‘Soon, you’ll see your mummy very soon. I promise.’
The little girl stopped crying a moment, and looked up at the new fresh face.
‘Are you a policewoman?’ asked the girl.
‘No honey, I’m not. But I know people who can help you.’ She hugged her again. ‘Do you know where you are?’
The girl shook her head.
‘What’s your name?’
‘Janice.’ She whispered.
‘Where are you from Janice?’
‘California. I want to go home.’
; ‘Okay.’ She squeezed her tight. In the background she heard more whimpering. ‘Do you trust me, Janice?’
Janice nodded.
‘Okay. I’ll come back for you in a minute.’
‘No, don’t leave me!’
‘I’ll come back, I promise. I have to go and see if I can find my little girl, and I want to help all the others. So stay here and be very quiet. Don’t tell anyone okay.’
At first Janice wouldn’t let go of her, but finally London convinced her to stay put while she tried to find Paige. She did her best to look into the doors that were opened, some of them were locked, but she could still hear children behind the locked doors. It horrified and tore her apart. And as much as she would’ve liked to rescue all of them, she had to find Paige, and then deal with the others.
****
‘Who the fuck are you?!’ The man stood up as Victor and his men walked into the dingy office.
‘Your worst nightmare!’ Victor pulled a gun on him. ‘Now sit the fuck down.’
‘You got to be kidding me!’
‘I said sit the fuck down!’
The man watched him and smiled slightly. Victor pulled the trigger and shot into his leg.
‘FuuuuCK!’ The man fell back into the seat holding onto his wounded leg. ‘Shit!’
‘I told you to sit the fuck down, didn’t I?’
The man cried and two of Victor’s men grabbed his arms, wrapped them around the back of the chair and tied him up. The man spat, and swore, but it didn’t move Victor one bit.
‘You will tell me where your boss is, you fat fuck!’ He placed the gun against the man’s temple.
‘I won’t tell you shit!’
Victor nodded. One of the men removed a shoe from the man’s foot, pulled off the sock, and then pulled out a pocket knife.
‘One more chance.’
‘I’d rather die than tell you.’
‘Oh, you will not die. In fact, we will take bits of pieces off you bit by bit. We will then burn the wound to stop you from bleeding to death. You will however, have a slow and very painful death.’ He nodded at his man and he cut his little toe. He screamed to the high heavens, Victor was convinced the man was already dying.
‘I swear, I don’t know! I’m just a hired servant!’ he spluttered.