The Gruinard Project Chapter 36

[khandy]

Chapter 36

Manor Royal Industrial Estate, Crawley, Surrey 02.30hrs

The building was cold, the early spring nights were still cold and the place had no heating. Ruth guessed it was some sort of lock up storage facility. The kind of purpose built unit that could be found in any town in the country. It had been impossible in the pitch black boot of the car to work out what direction they had taken. The only thing she was sure of was that they had only driven for a short while before arriving here. She had only had a brief glimpse of the outside of the building when she was pulled out of the boot of the car it was just the usual concrete and metal construction, nothing about it was easily identifiable.

The place was empty accept for a mattress and bucket. They had restrained her hands with handcuffs that were attached to a chain connected to a hook in the ceiling, the length of which allowed her to move from the mattress to the bucket. Her shoes had been removed because even if she could escape, being shoeless would make travelling slower. The most degrading thing was they had removed her knickers, telling her that if she needed a pee at least she wouldn’t have to struggle to pull them down. She had felt tears slide down her cheeks as the man’s hand had lingered on her thigh as he pulled them down

The thin blanket they had left provided no warmth and she was aware that she had begun to shiver. If it had not been for the tape across her mouth her teeth would have begun to chatter.

Her head ached where she had hit it against the side window of the car when it had crashed. Although her dark hair was matted with blood she had not lost consciousness. Looking back, it had all happened so quickly; before she had known what was happening she had been pulled clear of the car restrained and bundled into the boot of another car. The only thing she was aware of were the two men who were man handling her, there seemed to be just the two of them. The only words they spoke were about Kate. They talked about taking her but that hadn’t been the plan so they left her in the car.

Why, she wondered, had they only taken her and for what reason? Was she more valuable to them than Kate? Ruth hoped the younger woman was alright she had called her name when the car had hit the hedge but she had not responded. It didn’t make sense as to why they would leave Kate, a scientist behind. Trying to work out why was making her headache so she had to stop.

They men had said little to her when they had got here and once they had secured her with the chain they had left her alone. At first she had been scared; the men had handled her roughly but as the cold penetrated her muscles and numbness spread up her arms the fear of what they might do receded as the real threat of hypothermia dawned on her. She stood awkwardly knowing that she had to generate some heat. Never one to do much exercise she did the only thing she could think of. she began to dance to keep herself warm.

As heat began to penetrate through her body she started to think what MI5 would be doing to find her, strangely it helped to think how they would be trying to trace where she was. She thought of what this must be doing to him as well, everything they had was so new and special, she was damned if this was how it was going to end. Warmer once more she pulled the blanket round her and tried to rest, knowing she would need her wits about her when they returned. She closed her eyes willing herself to believe that everything would be alright.


Thames House 02.30hrs

Lucas could feeling himself shaking, the relief that she was alright threatening to overwhelm him. Her gut wrenching sobs muffled slightly by his chest were the only noise to be heard in the room. Lucas manoeuvred her to the couch and sat down with her on his lap, his arms tightly wrapped around her. He sat rocking her back and forwards just letting her cry. stroking her back and gently kissing her hair. He looked up at Jo and silently thanked her. Gradually Kate’s tears subsided and she went quiet, her body shuddering every now and again as she tried to regain control.

Finally when she was more composed she slid from Lucas’ lap and curled against his side. She knew she had to face Harry’s questions, Jo had told her that he had been coming to question her but she wasn’t sure she could do this unless Lucas held her.

Jo handed her some tissues and a glass of water which she took gratefully.

“Kate I’m sorry but time is of the essence I need you to tell me everything that happened this evening, what you remember no matter how small.” Harry pulled a chair up in front of her.

Kate explained that they had worked so late at the base that when they left the weather had become much worse making the road conditions really dangerous.

“I think at first Ruth thought that the car that was following us was just some idiot thinking he would have some fun. It wasn’t until we realised that there were two cars following us…”

“There were two cars? Can you describe them at all?”

“Not very well, it was raining really very hard. The first car, the one that over took us; I caught a glimpse of it as it passed. It was a hatchback, dark in colour, similar in size to the Mondeo and I think, though I can’t be completely certain, that it was driven by a man. I think Ruth must have thought so she too as she called him a dickhead.”

Just for a second Kate saw an intense pain enter the older man’s eyes. It was so quick that had she not been looking at him then she would never have noticed. This must be killing him she realised.

“The other car pulled up close behind us so we were boxed in, that was when we realised it was no coincidence,” Kate continued. “They made us turn off towards Horsham and then they ran us off the road. I must have been knocked out for a couple of minutes because when I came round I was alone in the car. I saw them bundle Ruth into the boot of the car. I’m sorry Harry I was trapped in the car I tried to free myself but I couldn’t get out.”

Lucas squeezed her arm reassuringly.

“Kate this isn’t your fault,” he told her.

“Lucas is right Kate,” Jo agreed. “You have to let that thought go or you will be eaten alive by it.”

Harry nodded.

“Did you see which direction they went in?”

“Yes they headed back towards the A23.”

“Ok Jo find out where that car went.”

“I’m on to it Harry. Malcolm is looking at the Brighton to Horsham stretch of road I will see if he has anything then I will check the A23 up to Crawley and than it is motorway to London.” She moved away towards the computer and telephone.

“We need to work out why they have taken Ruth What value is she to them?” Lucas wondered out loud.

Kate exchanged a quick look with Harry.

“I have wondered that myself. Kate are you still entering Lucas’ apartment in disguise?” Harry asked.

“Yes I am and I have had Ruth drop me away from the flat in case it was being watched. I hadn’t put the wig on so they probably didn’t recognise me.”

“Well that might explain why Kate was not taken but not why Ruth was. She only has a very tenuous link to The Grid,” Lucas commented.

Kate sighed.

“Harry I know I said that I wouldn’t say anything but I think you and I both know a reason she could have been taken,” Kate said quietly.

Lucas looked from Kate to Harry puzzled.

“Either you tell him Harry or I will,” Kate said.

“Tell me what?”

“Kate knows that Ruth and I have a relationship that is more than just business.”

“Harry it’s more than that. I know you love her and she loves you.”

Lucas was stunned but the flush on his boss’ cheeks proved that what Kate had said was true. If the situation had not been so serious he would have enjoyed teasing the older man.

“Harry I think Kate is right, why else would they deliver that directly to you?”

Harry nodded.

“I know you are right and I can’t lose her again we have to find her.”

“Or meet the demand,” Kate said. “What do they want?”

Lucas and Harry exchanged dark looks.

“What is it they want?” Kate repeated, noticing the looks they had exchanged.

Lucas sighed.

“Me Kate, they want me. Or at least they want me in Scotland with the PM.”

Kate stared at him for a moment her dark brown eyes meeting his fathomless deep blue ones, which blazed intently.

“You’re going aren’t you?”

He nodded not taking his eyes from hers.

She sighed.

“Because you have to, you have no choice do you? No matter what it costs you.”

He took her hands.

“Try and understand,” he whispered.

“I do, Lucas I do understand. It is the man you are. And that’s who I fell in love with. I wouldn‘t expect anything less of you.”

Lucas placed his lips over hers in a soft kiss.

“Thank you for understanding.”

“Lucas you and I are booked on the 07.30 flight to Edinburgh from City airport. Take Kate home and catch a couple of hours rest if you can.”

“What about you?” Kate asked concerned.

“I‘ll be alight, I’ll catch some shut eye here.”

Kate nodded but she didn’t believe him.


Manor Royal Industrial Estate, Crawley, Surrey 06.00hrs

Jo was crouched low in the car; a black knit cap over her striking blonde hair. In the vicinity were officers from CO19 ready to move in on her word. She was exhausted having been awake all night tracking Kate and Ruth’s movements. The car had followed them from just outside the airforce base and they had tracked it on to the A23 where it had been joined by the other car. The speed cameras along the route had picked up all three cars. The dark car was identified as a Vauxhall Vectra and about twenty minutes after the time of the attack it had been picked up on CCTV leaving the A23 at Crawley.

Jo smiled, thanks to the country’s obsession with CCTV they had been able to follow it to this industrial estate. Unsure which unit they had gone to, they now had to wait for them to reappear. Police officer were patrolling the area on the look out for the men.

A voice in Jo’s ear told her that the car had been spotted and that it was entering the industrial estate. She watched as it passed her. Jo had to fight the urge to follow them; she need to hang back, it was important that they were nor seen. There were officers in various parts of the estate watching the car.

“Two suspects have entered unit 11 Albert Way.”

“Copy. Can you tell if they are armed?”

“Negative but if they are it is with small fire arms.”

“All units move in,” Jo ordered.

Once Unit 11 was surrounded Jo cautiously moved towards the window. She peered in; Ruth was restrained by a chain in the middle of the room and the two men were talking to her. If they were armed, Jo thought, their weapons were definitely concealed.

Jo waved three members of CO19 forward and they moved towards the door. On Jo’s mark one of them kicked in the door as another smashed the glass in the window

“Armed police drop to the floor with your hands above your head. I repeat drop to the floor with your hands behind your head.”

Both men realising they would be shot before they could withdraw a weapon dropped to the floor. Once the men were restrained Jo ran forward to release Ruth.

Ruth gasped as Jo peeled the tape from her mouth.

“Who has the key?” She looked at the men.

“Have a feel baby and find out.” The taller one leered at her as he spoke.

Jo moved forward and placed the barrel of her gun against the man’s crotch.

“Who has the key?” she asked again as she released the safety catch with a click.

The colour drained from his face and sweat broke out on his brow.

“He does.” He indicated the other man.

Jo smiled and moved the gun and clicked the safety back on, before putting it behind her in the small of her back.

She moved to Ruth who staggered slightly when she was released.

“Take these men to Scotland Yard. I will organise getting Miss Evershed home and then I will follow you. I need to question them.”

Jo turned and helped Ruth to a waiting car; once she was settled in the back Jo had a police officer drive her home. She then sent Harry a two word text.

“She’s safe.”

[HellsBells]

Yes, Ruth is safe, that's great!