The Gruinad Project Chapter 35

[khandy]

Chapter 35

Gleneagles Hotel 22.30

Harry’s hands shook as he looked at the photograph. She was curled on her side; her hands were restrained behind her back while her feet were strapped together by silver coloured adhesive tape. The same type of tape was covering her mouth. Her skin was chalky white and a small gash was visible on her temple from which a trickle of blood was running. There was very little room around her and Harry realised that she was in the boot of a car.

Harry shuddered slightly, he knew what it was like to be forcibly restrained and locked in a car boot. Her eyes seemed huge in her pale face, she seemed to be fighting not to show her fear but her eyes were giving her away. She was terrified.

Obviously the photograph had been taken earlier that evening, so where was she now? How had she coped with the journey to wherever they were holding her? Harry knew better than most what it was like when the boot lid was slammed shut and you were plunged into inky blackness. It took all your willpower not to panic and start hyperventilating, wasting the precious air. Not that the air was pleasant, it was fume laden and made bile rise in the throat. Once the journey started the vehicle’s motion tossed you about bumping you into the sides of the car making you sore and dizzy, desperate for the journey to be over. Harry was certain, kidnappers realised that by putting their victims in the boot of a car to hide them from view, also increased their fear by being locked in a small, dark, enclosed space with the added bonus of making the victim always so pathetically grateful when the boot lid opened.

He silently prayed that she had survived that part of her ordeal and that the place where they were holding her was at least more comfortable than the car boot. He had to assume that she was alive and would remain so until their demands were met. However the realist in him knew that after that they would dispose of her, which meant at best they had twelve hours to find her. The Prime Minister was making his opening speech at the conference at 11.00hrs. They would expect to see Lucas North at his side by that time and whether he was or not she would be killed shortly after, of that Harry had little doubt.

He glanced at the photograph again, the real possibility of another death at the front of his mind. The pain he felt at this thought was crushing. His team had lost so many people recently that to lose another person was almost too difficult to contemplate. As he looked at the photograph another thought occurred. When he wondered had she been kidnapped and had she been alone. Ruth and Kate had been travelling together for the last forty eight hours did they actually have both women?

His thoughts were interrupted by his mobile phone ringing. He picked it up and glanced at the number it was not one he recognised.

“Hello Harry Pearce.”

He listened carefully relief seeping through him at least he now knew one of them was no longer missing and was safe. His face turned grave as he listened to what he was being told. He waited until she paused.

“Ok you have done the right thing in contacting me. What police station have they taken you to?” He listened to the reply.

“Crawley. Ok Jo can be with you in about 40 minutes. Continue to only tell them your name. I will speak to the Chief Superintendent and explain the situation. Are you hurt in anyway?” he paused again as she answered.

“Ok, I want you to demand to see the police surgeon and explain that as you have been in an accident you know that you have the right to be examined before you answer their questions.” Harry listened as she asked another question.

“The kidnappers have been in touch, she’s ok at the moment. Don’t worry about that for now ok. Hang up now and I will get on to Jo.”

Harry turned to the officer who had brought the envelope to him.

“Get on to Ros Myers and tell her to meet me in the communication suite immediately.” He turned and left the room heading to where they had set up the communication centre. Malcolm was at his station monitoring the web and security systems just as Harry had expected.

“Don’t you ever sleep?” he asked.

“I was just about to turn in. All the delegates have returned from the dinner. Ros looked particularly fetching in…” Malcolm stopped speaking when he saw the look on Harry’s face. “What’s happened?”

Harry handed him the envelope as Ros entered.

“What’s happened?” she asked, echoing Malcolm’s question who handed her the photograph and message. She studied it for a moment before asking.

“Do we think that they have them both?”

“No I have just had a phone call from Crawley police station. A passer by saw Ruth’s car, stopped to investigate and called the police. It seems they were forced off the road. So far all she has told the police is her name. I need you to get on to Jo and have her go down to Crawley. It’s going to be difficult but we need as much information as possible about what happened, so I hope she is not too shook up and is up to talking.

“I will speak to the chief super down there, explain who she is and why they have to keep a lid on this. Then I am going to speak to Lucas to let him know what has happened. He must be worried that Kate has not returned home. Then I need to head down there to see if he is fit enough to get him up here to Scotland.

“Malcolm we need to trace the girls’ movements from the time they left the base. Check the CCTV camera’s in the area see if anything shows up. Also have a look at the speed cameras on the A23. I assume that’s the route they were taking.” Harry glanced at the photograph in Ros’ hand. “Have somebody analyse that.”

Ros nodded and both she and Malcolm, aware of the urgency, set to work.

Lucas North’s Flat 00.15hrs

Marcus North glanced at the illuminated numerals on the clock again, it had gone midnight and Kate had still not returned home. She had rung and said she would be late, but he hadn’t realised that she had meant this late. Lucas, exhausted by another harrowing day of memories, had taken Helen’s advice and gone to bed at nine. The sleeping tablets seemed to be working as he had fallen asleep almost immediately. It was strange to be lying here worrying about his younger brother’s girlfriend but he had quickly come to realise how much his brother loved this woman and more importantly how much she loved Lucas. Both he and Helen had come to like her alot over the past few days. Knowing he would not sleep until Kate was back he got up, being careful not to wake his wife and headed into the kitchen to make a cup of tea while he waited.

The young agent Robert, who was on duty, nodded when he asked him if he wanted a cuppa and followed him through to the kitchen.

They were sipping tea and talking about the football when the agent’s mobile rang. Marcus realised something was wrong immediately as the agent slipped into professional mode almost seamlessly.

“Yes sir he is here. He’s asleep,” Robert paused as he listened, “yes sir I understand I’ll do that now.”

Without hanging up Robert went directly towards Lucas’ bedroom. Marcus followed asking what the hell was going on.

Lucas’ room was dimly lit and he was sound asleep on his stomach. He was obviously warm as he had pushed the covers down. Robert was pleased to see he was wearing a black vest and boxer shorts as it would have been embarrassing walking in on him naked.

“Lucas wake up,” Robert called quietly, as he shook the older man firmly by the shoulder. When he didn’t wake he shook him more firmly.

Lucas opened his eyes, somebody was shaking him awake. He realised that this was no nightmare as the person was speaking English. He pushed up on to his arms and turned over. Pushing through the drug induced fog he became aware of his brother and the agent Robert in his room. He glanced back to the other side of the bed, Kate must still not be home he thought.

“Lucas, its Sir Harry.” Robert handed him the mobile.

Lucas took it and sat up, aware that this call was obviously of the upmost urgency. Harry wouldn’t have rung otherwise.

“Harry?”

At his boss’ words Lucas’ heart rate went tympanic, he could feel it in his throat and his ears, along with the rush of blood as it pounded through him. He willed himself to slow his breathing down; Harry didn’t need him to panic.

“Are they both ok?” He listened his hand shaking badly, nausea sweeping over him as he prayed Kate was ok.

“Who has gone to Crawley?”

He nodded at the answer.

“Are they coming back to London?”

He glanced at his watch as he listened.

“No Harry I know you wouldn’t ask if there was another way. Is Jo going to The Grid? Ok I will meet you there.” He hung up.

“Robert make me a cup of very strong coffee I need to wake up pretty damn fast and then you need to drive me to Thames House.”

Marcus looked at his brother incredulously.

“Are you mad, you have had a breakdown Lucas. What the hell does he need you for?”

“Marcus I have to go.”

“Every time Harry Pearce calls you go running. He cost you eight years of your life and God knows what else. Let somebody else go. If Kate were here she wouldn’t let you do this.”

“Kate and another woman Ruth have been attacked.” Lucas’ voice shook as he voiced the words out loud. There has been a kidnapping and the terrorists are making demands that involve me. I have to do this even, even if Kate was not involved I’d have to do this, it’s my job.”

“Kate’s been attacked, when, is she ok?” Marcus was shocked, this world his brother inhabited, usually shrouded in grey secrecy, was being revealed to him with vivid intensity.

“Look I will explain but I need you to help me shower. A cold shower will help me shake off the drugs but I’m not sure I can manage alone.”

Seeing little point in arguing Marcus nodded and followed Lucas to the bathroom.

Thames House 02.00hrs

Jo was on the phone.

“The attack took place on the section of the M23 between Brighton and the turn off for Horsham our people were driving a dark metallic blue Mondeo licence plate Echo 369 Sierra Alpha Golf. Our analyst is currently looking at all the CCTV footage. I want a forensic team dispatched to where the car crashed. They need to go over it and the immediate area. This is priority level one. The victim has been working closely with Section D.”

Jo put the phone down and smiled sympathetically. It went to show that you really didn’t have to know somebody all that well to understand the pain they were feeling.

“You look done in. I’m sorry I couldn’t take you home but Harry insisted that I bring you here. He is on his way back from Scotland. Do you want some coffee? And I really think you should take a couple of painkillers. Your shoulder and ribs must hurt like hell.”

“The doctor said it was just bruising.”

“I know but it still must hurt,” Jo said handing her a mug of coffee.

“Jo, do you think she is still alive?”

“Yes I do. Demands have been made. They will wait to see if those demands are met before they hurt her.”

“What demands?”

“Harry will explain when he gets here.”

“I feel so responsible.”

“I don’t know how you figure that?”

“I feel that I should have stopped it somehow and why didn’t they take me as well?”

“Look when Harry and Lucas arrive we will try and piece it together.”

Just then the doors of The Grid slid open and Harry and Lucas walked in. The sight of him overwhelmed her, without any thought of propriety she ran into his warm embrace and gave into the tears that had threatened for hours.

[Saerwen]

I am so enjoyed the chapters of this story, they are so well written and really let you get immersed in the characters.

[khandy]

(04-12-2010 11:24 PM)Saerwen Wrote:  I am so enjoyed the chapters of this story, they are so well written and really let you get immersed in the characters.

Hi thank you I really tried to make the reader feel as if they were there with the characters