by Stuart Field
Steel grabbed the keys to Foster’s Range Rover from the key holder in the hallway, and the two men hurried to the garage via the kitchen. Steel got into the driver’s side of the Range Rover Velar and pressed the electric doors' clicker. As the door opened wide enough to let the vehicle through, Steel put the car into reverse and floored the gas pedal. The mighty V8 supercharged petrol engine roared as the Five-hundred, and forty-two horsepower at Steel’s disposal was engaged.
And he was going to use every single one of them.
Once they were on the street, Steel slapped the shift into Drive before pressing the gas pedal hard to the floor. Steel drove with a purpose. He needed to catch Foster, not just for Samara’s location, but the truth about why he had brought him to Malta.
Steel swerved, avoiding pedestrians and other vehicles; all the time Kane was in the front seat getting tossed about, while he tried putting his seat belt on.
‘Which way?’ Steel kept on yelling to Kane who had finally clamped himself down. Kane gave exact instructions, as well as pointing the left and right turns. Steel had no hope of catching up with Foster, as there were too many routes that would get to the port. Two main roads and several smaller ones, and he had no way of knowing which Foster had taken. All Steel could hope to do was to beat Foster to the ferry and question him there. Possibly threaten to throw him off the side, maybe he would anyway even if Foster answered all the questions.
Steel had taken Kane’s advice and headed for a town called Burmarrad; Kane had thought it to be the quickest route and the more likely option for someone in a rush.
The traffic was thick with tour buses and commuters, slowing Steel down. But Steel hoped it was doing the same for Foster. Steel passed the traffic in front of him when he could; causing the oncoming traffic to beep their horns or swerve. Steel hoped that Foster was taking the journey casually, that would buy Steel some time. All the while Steel was on the lookout for Foster’s blacked-out Range Rover Discovery.
If he could catch Foster before the port all the better. There would be fewer people to see him beat the crap out of his old friend.
‘How far are we now?’ Steel yelled backwards to Kane; who was busy looking at road signs.
‘About fifteen minutes,’ Kane shrugged, making an estimated guess. Before them, was a large round-about. Steel did not have time to read the signs before Kane began to yell instructions.
‘Take a left here, first left,’ Kane shouted. Steel did not look, he just obeyed and hoped Kane was right. As they turned onto the road to Dawret San Pawl Road, Steel smiled. Ten cars on, he saw Foster’s blacked-out ride as it swerved side-to-side to avoid parked cars. The road was long and winding, on Steel’s right side was the city of Bugibba, on the other, lush green farmland. Steel floored the gas pedal and switched to the second lane of the dual carriageway. Foster was near, and he wanted him.
Steel had Foster’s car firmly in his sights, as he passed the other vehicles, weaving in and out of the traffic, the tires spitting grit and leaving a dust cloud behind them. Soon Steel was right behind the large Foster with only one thing in his mind.
Get Foster off the road as quickly as possible.
Steel had to wait for the right moment; the last thing he need was a massive pileup on the freeway. Steel smiled as Foster’s car moved out to overtake another vehicle. Steel saw his chance and took it. Steel sped up right behind the Discovery and rammed the right-hand side; causing it to veer off the road into a nearby field. Steel took off after him and powered into the back of the Discovery, hoping the crash had shaken Foster and caught him off guard. The two cars danced as the lead vehicle tried to swerve away, but Steel could foresee every move that Foster would make. Steel pushed the pedal harder and the two cars locked together. Steel used all of the car’s power and pushed forward. Neither knowing nor caring where they were going.
‘When are you going to stop?’ yelled Kane. As he looked at Steel with utter panic.
‘When something stops us,’ Steel said, grinning. Kane screamed something in Maltese and crossed himself furiously in hopes that God was listening.
‘Saying a prayer for us?’ Steel asked.
‘For one of us John, only for one of us,’ Kane scowled as he held onto the dash and the grip above his door.
‘Well, here’s hoping he’s listening, shall we,’ Steel replied as he kept on the power to the anger of the engine. There was a sickening squeal of plastic and metal been torn and ripped apart. Suddenly Steel hit something hard and span out of control until the car stopped. The car enveloped by a cloud of dust, But Foster sped off out of control, Steel’s brutal attack had done something to the steering, and it ploughed on forwards. Anger boiling, Steel got out of the car and listened. Expecting to hear the roar of Foster’s engine disappear into the horizon. Steel went to turn and get back into the car. The engine was still running, and a quick inspection of the wheels and tyres on his side gave him confidence this beast who continue the case. But Steel stopped because he heard a new sound. It was a loud crash and then the sound of water.
Steel grinned as the dust settled, then sprinted forwards with Kane close behind. There was a mass of noise, yelling and screams from a woman and children. Steel raced forwards over a small embankment to find Foster’s car in some guy’s pool. Steel jumped down into the pool and dragged out the driver.
The man was wearing Foster’s suit and even looked like Foster – but it wasn’t him. Then Steel realised, this was the man he had seen before he was tasered. This was the guy he had seen at Foster’s house. Steel felt a mix of relief and fear. Relief that Foster hadn’t betrayed him, but also fear as to what had happened to Foster. Had it been a set up to get him and Samara into the house where they had been ambushed? Had the women seen leave the house also decoys? That’s if they had been women in the first place?
‘Where’s the woman?’ Steel growled. The man just smiled and said nothing. Steel dragged him out of the pool and looked up at the shocked family who were sat huddled at the poolside on deck chairs, shocked expressions on all their faces.
‘Sorry about the mess, learner driver,’ Steel quipped, forcing the man back over the wall. Steel dragged the man back to his car and tossed him hard against the side of the vehicle. The man’s face impacted against the safety glass. His nose broke, leaving a bloody mark on the tinted window.
The man fell to the ground, dazed. Steel dropped down and went through the man’s pockets. No wallet or ID, only a cell phone, and a silenced 9mm Heckler and Koch P8 A1 handgun. Steel clicked out the magazine and checked it was full. Steel pulled back the top slide enough to see the glint of brass from the chambered bullet. Steel slid the magazine back into the weapon and held the silencer against the guy’s right knee.
‘Who are?’ Steel asked again, only to be met with silence and that sickening grin. ‘Where’s the woman?’
‘You don’t scare me, go ahead, kill me,’ laughed the man.
‘Seriously, you think this guy is going to kill you?’ Kane said, shaking his head and casually crossed his arms, almost in an attempt to raise the tension of the situation.
Steel smiled and pulled the man’s face closer to his own. ‘Oh, I’m not going to kill you, I’m going to hurt you, but I am not going to hurt you,’ Steel growled. The man smiled and shook his head.
‘You’re a cop, you’re not going to kill anyone,’ the man laughed. Steel looked at Kane and Kane returned the puzzled look.
‘You do know this isn't New York – right?’ Kane said. His words trailed for effect. ‘He isn't a cop here, and you kidnapped him and my sister, So –.’
‘So, this is good cop bad cop, right, I get it.’
‘No, you really aren't,’ Steel said, shaking his head. His face was expressionless. ‘He's not a cop, and neither am I, so, I’m just going to hurt you until you say something or die. The choice is yours,’ Steel shrugged.
The man continued smiling.
‘I don’t think he understands English, that might be the p
roblem,’ Kane said. Steel thought for a moment and nodded.
‘You know, I’m an outstanding teacher.’
‘Really?’ Kane said with a curious grin.
‘Absolutely, watch.’ Steel pulled the man to the rear of Foster’s Ranger Rover and tossed the guy to the floor. The man was the same build and height as Foster but had more muscle.
‘Watch him, if he moves, shoot him in the knees,’ Steel said. Giving Kane the gun and forcing the mussel close to the man’s right knee.
‘Now, my friend here has never used a gun before, and he is very nervous, so any sudden moves and who knows what he may hit instead,’ Steel warned the man. Steel stood up and began to search through the back of the Velar. As Steel suspected, Foster still prepared for everything, he found plasticuffs and a tow-rope. Steel held up the objects so the man could see and smiled.
‘It’s a pity it rained last night, the ground isn’t as hard as what I would prefer – but it’ll do.’ Steel put the tow-rope around the man’s ankles. The man’s eyes widened as he worked out what was going to happen. The man went to move but felt the silencer's tip in the ball socket of his knee. He watched in horror as Steel started to fasten the other end of the rope onto the vehicle’s towbar.
‘OK, dickhead, last chance. Where’s Samara?’ All emotion had left Steel’s face and voice. He was as cold as ice.
The man was too terrified to talk, his mouth flapped open and shut, but no words would come out.
‘OK, Kane, get in, we’re going for a drive,’ Steel said, getting into the driver’s side. As Kane headed towards the passenger side door, the man began to scream.
‘She’s kept on the Gozo island,’ the man yelled over and over. Steel got out of the car and walked around to the man.
‘Gozo Island?’ Steel asked calmly, waiting for the man to lie. The man stayed silent.
‘Gozo, you're sure?’ Steel asked. The man nodded erratically.
‘You believe him?’ Kane asked. Steel looked at the man for a moment. As if pondering what to do next.
‘Nah, he’s full of it, let's go,’ Steel shook his head and headed for the driver’s side. The man’s eye widened as he heard the engine start.
‘OK – OK, She’s on Manoel Island. They’ve got her on Manoel Island. They took her there later today.’ The man yelled in a panic, hoping they would hear him over the noise of the engine.
‘Manoel island – are you sure this time?’ Steel said. The man nodded furiously so much Steel thought the man’s head would fly off.
‘But I checked it out after you had left me there, there was no one there?’ Steel asked, a searching look on his face.
‘We brought her there later after the film crew had left.’
‘But why was I taken there and not her?’ Steel asked as he knelt down in front of the man.
‘You weren't meant to be there, we assumed you had gone for a run like always. It was meant to be only the woman. We did not have room for both of you. Besides, it was only the woman we needed.’ The man explained.
‘Wow, that’s got to sting, you were collateral damage?’ Kane mocked Steel.
‘It’s fine, I’ve been called worse,’ Steel cracked a smile and brought the side on his flat hand crashing down on the man’s neck, knocking him out.
‘Now, we go and get your sister,’ Steel said tucking the pistol away into the small of his back.
Chapter Forty-Four
The unconscious man lay in the boot of the Ranger Rover. Steel had used the plasticuffs he had found while searching the man for the identification or more weapons, to which there were none. Steel figured they must be in the car that was now in the bottom of the pool.
Steel had secured the guy’s hands and feet in a hogtie position. Steel secured his mouth with duct tape he’d also found in the trunk's storage compartment to ensure the guy stayed quiet.
Steel thought the man may still be useful. Besides, Steel knew he could not leave him on the side of the road where he might be able to get to a phone and worn his colleagues.
Steel had driven back to Valletta easing in with the rest of the traffic. He did not need to draw attention to himself – not with a guy in the trunk. Even though the car's front end was torn up, there were worse looking vehicles on the roads.
Steel figured they had time if they were going to kill Samara they would have done it already. No, they needed her for something.
She would be safe – for now.
It was a good hour drive back to Valletta, and the daytime traffic hindering progress. Even Kane’s quick routes turned out to be slow ones. Steel felt the Gods were against him on this one, but he cruised on, putting his foot down when an open space became available.
He had no idea who he was dealing with. It could be any number of terrorist groups or just someone Samara had pissed-off in the past. It was evident to Steel they were only after her and had zero interest in him. After his part at the old Barracks and Foster’s house, they would now consider him a threat. They needed her, but not him, he was an anomaly, a casualty of war, a bug on the windshield – disposable. Thye could kill him with impunity.
At the old barracks, Samara had tried to warn him someone was after her. And now they had her, all because he had been blinded by the misconception of a friend in need. A mistake he would not repeat.
Steel sighed with relief at the first road signs that signalled Valletta’s direction and distance.
Steel was on the clock.
Samara had just had her second visit that morning. A large man with short-cropped hair and a tribal tattoo on his face. He did not have much to say; he just threw buckets of seawater over her. Samara licked her lips and tried not to puke. Out of all of her visitors, this was the only one who never hit her. In fact, he’d minimised all actual tactile contact with her. She figured he had a soft spot for her, possibly he had a sister who she resembled or an old girlfriend or favourite niece. Either way, she had an in with one of them.
Samara looked up at the large man and stared deeply into his eyes. Her gaze was full of pain and terror. He went to turn away, but her gaze caught him, he seemed absorbed in her large brown eyes.
‘Thank you,’ Samara whispered, voice drew him in like a siren’s song.
She had him. All she had to do now was to reel him in.
He came closer and closer.
Their gazes locked, he was under her spell. He pulled in so close, Samara could feel his breath on her skin.
His face was close to her’s, his lips almost at hers.
Samara smiled up at him.
He returned the expression.
There was a noise of breaking wood, and then the muffled cry from the man as Samara brought the arm of the chair to bear on the man’s temple. He stumbled back slightly, but she had managed to free her legs once she had broken the arms from the seat.
Their mistake had been their complacency, their overconfidence in the situation they were convinced they had under control. The men had stopped checking on Samara hours ago. They had not inspected her on regular intervals, but at irregular timings, as not to set a pattern. But worst of all, they had not made sure she was still bound. That had been her cue to start her escape plan. Now, she had means of getting out – now she had a key.
The man looked up, just in time to receive another blow to the face with the other broken chair arm still was attached to her arm. Samara looked a gladiator, waiting for the next fighter. Samara spun and landed a roundhouse kick directly on the man’s jaw, knocking him out cold. She was smaller than the man, but she put power behind every kick and punch. Samara fell to her knees for a moment, gathering her breath and strength. The over-use of energy that she did not have had taken its toll. But Samara felt good. She was almost free, and he was bleeding and unconscious.
Samara felt a little bad for the guy, after all, he hadn’t done anything to her. But he was an opportunity she had been given – and she had taken it. Samara breathed in and blew out hard through her mouth. She did this sev
eral times, building her strength, her anger. She stood up and stood ready, the wooden make-shift weapons still attached to her arms. Expecting the door to swing open any minute, and a dozen men to rush in to take her down. She welcomed the chance to return some of the beatings. Part of her wished they would. She was ready to give back some of the pain. Sure they were only doing as they were told – simple foot soldiers, but some had enjoyed it a little too much. She stood for a moment, in the dimly lit room and listened.
There was nothing.
Then there were screams.
Samara raised an eyebrow. She had thought she had been alone; then she remembered Steel – they could have taken him as well. Was it him she was hearing? The cries grew louder as if they were moving towards her, but they changed as if it was from different people.
Samara shook her head. She was tired and dehydrated, and now her mind was playing tricks on her.
There was a screech of old metal hinges as the door opened, and then bright light filled the room. Samara felt a rush of adrenaline as took a fight ready pose. She did not know how many she could take before they finally beat her down, but she was prepared. Suddenly a figure stepped into the light and made for her. Samara screamed a war cry and lashed out, knocking the man to the ground with a single blow.
‘Anyone else wants some?’ she cried fiercely.
‘No… not really, and I don’t think your brother did either, but I did warn him. Silly bastard’ said a familiar voice. Samara moved cautiously forwards and saw her brother sparked out on the floor. Samara dropped to her knees and cradled her brother’s head in her still bound arms.
‘I suggest we leave before any more people want to join the party,’ Steel said, walking into the room and opening a large bladed knife with one hand. As he cut her free, she looked into those damn sunglasses, wishing she could see those blue eyes of his.
‘What kept you?’ she laughed.
‘I thought I’d stop for a coffee, found this really nice place around the corner,’ Steel joked picking up the half-unconscious Kane and dragging him out of the room.