Holy Island Trilogy 02 - Nowhere Man (17 page)

‘Just fucking get on with it, before I lose it completely, eh, Tony? Enough pissing around. I know you’re involved with that bunch who’ve been in control for centuries. The same bunch that think they are our lords and masters, the same bunch that are into everything that is filthy and fucking vile about the human race.’

‘You always were the one for conspiracy theories, Mike, but where the hell have you dragged that one up from?’ Tony laughed. ’But forget it, OK? You’re already in enough trouble as it is. Now we have to figure how to get you safely out of London. Even out of England.’

Mike looked suspiciously at Tony. ‘Out of England? No way!’

‘But----’

‘No buts about it Tony. I’ve got things to do. No! Enough of trying to wriggle out of it, I want answers. Ah, yes - before we go into that, any reason why you weren’t answering my phone when Aunt May was rushed into hospital?’

‘What? How is she? I swear I didn’t know.’

Mike stared at him seeing the lie before Tony dropped his eyes, going along with it for the moment he said. ‘Yeah, well, she was very poorly-so poorly she was in a coma, but thank God she’s out of it now. According to Smiler, she came to just a few minutes after I left for London. Where the fuck were you? And why weren’t you answering your phone?’

Tony sighed. ‘I’ll make arrangements to go up tonight.’

‘You better, mate, or I’ll want to know the reason why. Especially as, according to you, you have extended leave. In the mean time, you can tell me what I need to know, which is why you are mixed up with these freaks. And stop trying to change the subject. Remember, I saw you shoot that crazy bastard's double at the monastery.’

Sitting back down in his chair, Tony asked, ’Do you want a fresh drink?’ He looked at his watch. ’Though there isn’t much time. The old man in the bookshop has the place riddled with cameras from every angle possible, because the place is full of rare books. There's no getting away with it, Mike.’

‘Make it go away.’

‘I’ve already tried.’

‘Try again, fucking harder.’

‘Just go, Mike, now, while you can.’ Tony stood up and went to a desk in the corner, He took a key from behind a picture of a magnificent wolf, peering back at the photographer from behind a tree, and opened a drawer. He dipped into the drawer, and pulled out a thick white envelope. ‘Here, take this.’ He handed the envelope to Mike.

With a suspicious look, Mike took the envelope. Opening it, he found it stuffed with money. ‘Why?’ he asked, frowning.

‘I knew you would need it.’

‘How? You reading minds now? Plus you haven’t had time to get this sort of cash out of the bank.’

‘Look, it’s money I keep for emergencies, in case I have to make a quick getaway. Like you have tonight.’

‘Why would you need to get away?’

Waiting for Tony’s answer, Mike quickly scanned the room. Why didn’t I realise before? It should have dawned on me, why he hardly ever asked me over here. No way could a copper afford this-unless he was a copper on the take. And the cash! By the thickness, there’s gotta be a couple of grand at least.

Should have seen the signs a good while back.

He’s been in with the bastards for years!

Tony’s voice invaded his thoughts. ‘Mike, just take the money and go. I’m trying to save your friggin' life here.’

‘Are you? They don’t hang people in England any more, Tony, didn’t you know? Or is it a different organisation you’re trying to save me from, and not the law?’

Tony rested his elbows on his knees, and put his chin on his hands. ‘Just go.’ He sighed.  ‘I’ll be in touch, promise. Now! It's already nearly too late.’

Mike shook his head. So much he wanted to know, but he was over a barrel here. Tony was right. If he didn’t run now, soon he wouldn’t be able to run at all.

He headed for the door. Turning, he looked at Tony. For the brief moment that their eyes met, Mike recognised the torment staring back at him.

Again, he asked himself: just what the fuck is he involved in?

Knowing that he was not going to get anything out of him, Mike did the sensible thing, and got out as quickly as he could.

After Mike closed the door, Tony went to the window. He stood there for ten minutes, but there was no sign of Mike leaving the building. ‘It’s like he’s disappeared into the night,’ Tony muttered, a pleased smile on his face as he pulled the blinds down and hastily got on with his packing.

CHAPTER FORTY

Annya sat in the boot of the silver Range Rover. It was the only place for her. Thank God it wasn’t a normal car, she thought, because she would have ended up in the boot of that as well, all crouched up, to finally emerge stiff and aching. She’d travelled that way before. At least here she could sit up, and even though it was dark, she could read the road signs and get an idea of where she was.

Lovilla sat in the front with her father, who loved to drive and rarely relinquished the wheel to another. In the back, two henchmen, both packing guns, relaxed. One of them was asleep -Annya could hear the soft rhythmic sound of his breathing. The other was looking out of the window.

She’d heard them talking earlier, both of them wondering why the meeting had been moved from London to Norwich. Shortly after, Lovilla had freaked out because she wanted the London shops. Annya had been on the receiving end of Lovilla’s anger, and now had a black eye and a force-fed cover story to go with it, in case anyone asked how she had done it.

Classic. Walked into a door.

Ha! Like anyone’s gonna believe that...

Escape at the moment seemed impossible, a fleeting dream. But she was still determined. Somehow, some way she would manage it, even supposing she died trying. She’d envisaged so many scenarios, and rejected them all, that her head hurt.

They pulled off the motorway and were soon in Norwich city centre. They drove straight through and out the other side. Annya stared at the people as they passed, longing to call out to them -but she knew that would be suicide.

Ten minutes later, they came to a stop outside a large country house. She guessed that it was a hotel, but a very exclusive one, as there were no signs on the road telling you it was here. Annya figured it would probably only take twenty or thirty minutes to run back to Norwich. If -I ever get the chance.

And where then?

Having been among the Families for a good time now, she knew their workings, and knew that finding someone to trust would be practically impossible - as impossible as trying to escape.

The jeep stopped outside of a double-door entrance. She had barely straightened up before the boot was lifted and a large hand was wrapped around her arm. She was dragged out, along with the suitcases. Not once did she feel his grip loosen.

‘Smarten yourself up, girl,’ he whispered in her ear, squeezing her right breast. ‘Or you’ll be dead before the morning comes. It won't take long to get a replacement for you. Two a penny, that’s what you lot are.’

Annya quickly brushed her dress down, trying to get rid of the creases, pushed her hair behind her ears, and pulled a few locks over her black eye.

‘Good,’ he said. ‘Now take these.’ He threw her backpack at her, then handed her a small pink suitcase. ‘Walk in front of me. Do not dare to veer off anywhere.’

Nodding, she quickly slipped the backpack onto her shoulders and picked up the suitcase.

She followed the other man, the one who had been asleep, up the seven stone steps and through the massive medieval double doors. Inside, the front hall was breathtaking. Never had she seen any place so magnificent. The smell was of old lavender polish, the same as her grandmother used to use back in the old country. It made her more homesick than ever.

A huge gold unicorn stood at the side of the staircase next to the desk, rearing so far above her head that she had to actually throw her head back to see its face. The carpets were red and luxurious, as if laid out for Hollywood stars to walk on. Seven huge chandeliers filled the large reception area with bright glittering light. It was all she could do to stop herself from saying a breath taken, 'Wow!' Without doubt, from what she knew of them, this was a Families stronghold. A gathering place for them all!

She had no chance of escape from here. How had she ever thought that she would? Her heart sank. The others were depending on her, but it was impossible. She would be a prisoner for life. A breath caught in her throat with her next thought: however long that lasted.

She watched as Kirill Tarasov checked in, and actually flirted with the pretty blonde receptionist, then they all piled into a lift that took them to the second floor. She was squashed between both of the guards. The English one smirked at her until the lift doors opened. Lovilla took the key for room nineteen from her father and opened the door. The English guard followed them into the room with the suitcases. On the way out, he looked at Annya and used the universal gesture of pointing his forefinger and middle finger at his eyes, then pointing to hers. 
I will be watching you.

Annya shivered. Another breath caught in her throat as he closed the door behind him. She glanced at Lovilla, who had been watching. Her face held a smirk, as she said, ’Go to your room, peasant, you will not be needed tonight… Well, on second thoughts, I might find a use for you.’

Picking her backpack up. Annya quickly turned. There were two doors facing her. One was obviously hers, the other Lovilla's. She knew her choice would be met with scorn if she should choose the wrong one.

The decision was taken out of her hands a moment later when Lovilla snapped at her, ‘Aren’t you forgetting something, you stupid little peasant?’

Heart beating rapidly, Annya turned. She looked up from under her lids at Lovilla, terrified of what might be expected of her.

‘The cases, fool! Surely to God you don’t expect me to unpack them myself,’ she said, a look of pure amazement on her face.

‘Sorry, Miss.’ Annya said quickly. Dropping her backpack and grabbing the nearest case, she headed for the bedrooms. Outside  the doors, she hesitated.

‘The one on the right! Oh, you are such a pathetic little peasant. Why do I put up with you?’

‘Sorry, Miss,’ Annya repeated as she opened the door. Quickly, she unpacked the case and hung everything in the wardrobe, then went back for the other one.

When she was finished, she quietly closed the door behind her, grabbed her backpack off the floor and stepped over to the next bedroom door. She was turning the handle, delivering up a thank you prayer and about to breathe easily, when Lovilla said, ’Would you like something to eat, peasant?’

Annya turned to see that room service had delivered while she’d been in the bedroom. Laid out on the table was more than enough food for a large family, at least half a dozen different dishes. It was then she noticed that the table was set for two.

Oh my God, she thought, her heart tripping. Just the very thought that Lovilla had ordered the table to be set for two was enough to give her an anxiety attack.

She needed time to breathe, time to figure out what to do.

What would Jaz do?

Go along with it, that’s what she would do, just take it in her stride as usual.

That’s how she’s survived this long.

‘I’ve…I need to g-go t-to the toilet,’ she stammered. Running into her room and closing the door behind her, she ran to the bathroom, shut that door and slid the bolt.

That won’t stop them, she thought, sitting on the toilet seat, staring at the flimsy bolt. Lovilla wouldn’t even need one of the heavies to break that down. So fragile. A whisper, a breath would blow it down.

She looked around the small but luxurious bathroom, white tiles and solid gold fittings. Her eyes passed over the open window, then quickly skittered back.

She blinked. The window was wide open. Somehow she felt as if it was beckoning her towards it. Slowly she tiptoed over the luxurious red carpet, the few small steps that were needed to reach the window. Standing on her toes, she leaned out and carefully looked around. Two feet below the window was a thick ledge that ran the length of the building.

Go for it, she thought, excitement building in her body as she looked around again.

Without thinking how she was ever going to reach ground level, or even how she was going to get across the well-lit grounds to tree cover well over a hundred yards away, she climbed out of the window. She decided to go left, certain, even though it was gloomy, that she could see an old-fashioned fire escape at the end. Praying that’s what it was, and with her back pressed against the building, she slowly edged, inch by trembling inch, along the ledge which was the exact width of her feet. Terrified to look down, she was praying the whole time that, although they were at the back of the place and it seemed deserted, no one would look up and see her.

She was halfway along now, concentrating so hard that she had no idea how much time had passed. She chewed her bottom lip, thinking, I’m never going to make it. No way.

Her calves were aching but, knowing that pain would be nothing to what they would put her through if they caught her up here, she moved on. She was just about to pass a window, which thankfully was in darkness, when she heard footsteps just below her. Heart beating rapidly, she squashed into the side of the window and kept perfectly still. Hearing what sounded like a dustbin lid being lifted and, a minute later, put back on, she held her breath until the footsteps retraced and went back into the building.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she wondered if she should maybe turn around to get past the window, which had a four-inch wooden sill on top of the ledge. It would be more than difficult doing it backwards. She could cling onto the top of the window, if she turned. It would be easier than what she was doing now.

‘But how to get turned back round again?’ she muttered.

You won't know until you try. She heard her grandfather’s favourite saying in her head, and gained courage. She wanted to escape as much for him as she did for herself. For a moment, her eyes misted over, thinking of the torment he must be going through. Then she swung her leg onto the sill and moved on, every moment expecting Lovilla’s head, or one of her guards', to pop out of the window and grab her.