Fractured (Dividing Line #4) (29 page)

“I can’t,” he called back at them. “She’s had her throat cut, I can’t let go of the wound.”

Cautiously they crept into the building, Heckler and Koch’s trained on him. They checked him for weapons and he was incredibly grateful that they didn’t make him put up his hands. Then they checked the rest of the room.

“Please, get the Paramedics in here,” begged Ryan.

But they wouldn’t allow it until they were sure all the dead bodies were no longer a threat. He could see the paramedics through the open door itching to get in, able to see the state Rachel was in.

“Help, please,” Ryan called to them when they were finally allowed through.

“Alright, you can let go now,” he was told.

Ryan released her and moved back to give them space. The wound was clamped and covered with gauze while the second paramedic wrestled with a drip. Ryan crouched by Rachel’s side stroking her hair, watching them work.

“What’s her name?”

“Rachel. Rachel Law. I’m her husband.”

“Rachel, can you hear me?” called one of the paramedics when her eyes started to close.

Uniformed and plain clothes officers swarmed the area. Ryan’s heart sank when he saw DCI Taylor stride in. He’d investigated Thomas’s death and got nowhere. He was also in Alex’s pocket.

“What the hell happened here?” he demanded of Ryan.

“They took Rachel,” replied Ryan, his eyes never leaving his wife.

“Who did?”

He gestured to the room. “All of them.”

“And him?” he said, jabbing a finger at Alex’s inert form.

“He was trying to help me get her out. He came in first and got shot. I arrived a few minutes later and found them all like this.” It stuck in his throat to make Alex out to be a hero but he had little choice. “He got shot trying to help her.”

Taylor’s eyes filled with doubt. “Are you sure he was trying to help?”

“Yes.”

Taylor knew he was lying but he couldn’t figure out why. However, in Ryan Law he saw his chance to get rid of Alex Maguire once and for all.

The questioning was interrupted when Rachel started to violently shake, eyes rolling back in her head.

“What’s happening?” Ryan demanded, throwing himself down at her side.

“She’s going into shock. Stand back,” the paramedics told him

He watched in horror as her t-shirt was cut open and paddles applied to her chest.

“Please Rachel please,” whispered Ryan, letting his tears flow freely. Her spine arched with the force of the current passing through her body and he looked to the paramedics hopefully. One of them checked her pulse and shook his head.

“Again.”

The paddles were applied again and this time the paramedic nodded. “We’ve got her,” he told Ryan.

“Thank you,” he breathed. “Rachel stay with me. Me and the kids need you.”

In response her eyes flickered open and fixated on him before turning vacant and sliding shut.

“We need to move her. Now,” one of the paramedics told Taylor, who nodded.

“Ryan I need you to come with me to the station,” said Taylor.

“I’m not leaving her.”

“You can come voluntarily or I can nick you.”

Ryan shot to his feet and thrust his face into Taylor’s. “If you do I’ll tell everyone here you’re in Alex’s pocket. It won’t take much to prove it, just a look into your bank accounts.”

Taylor’s face turned white with fury. “I wouldn’t recommend it.”

“I’m not going to do a runner. The only place I’m going to be is by her side. You can speak to me at the hospital.”

He chewed his lip thoughtfully. “Alright but we need to talk.”

“We will but right now I need to concentrate on my wife.”

“Go on then.”

“Thank you,” he said sincerely and Taylor nodded.

“You’re getting a police escort,” Taylor called to him as he returned to Rachel.

Ryan just nodded, watching as Rachel was carefully loaded onto a stretcher.

“This one’s still alive,” someone shouted.

Ryan’s blood ran cold. He turned to see a young police officer with his fingertips pressed to Alex’s neck. All he could do was watch as a second team of paramedics rushed in.

“He’s not breathing,” said one of the paramedics, placing a mask over his mouth and pumping air into him.

Die, just die,
Ryan prayed as they worked on Alex. Every muscle in his body grew tense, he’d never wanted anyone’s death so much before.

Taylor watched thinking exactly the same thing, willing with all his soul that Alex Maguire did the world a favour and snuffed it.

Alex’s eyes flew open and he inhaled sharply. Ryan sighed and shook his head in disbelief. Why couldn’t the bastard just have the decency to die?

CHAPTER 32

The doors burst open as the hospital staff hauled the gurney towards theatre, all of them frantically yelling. Despite all the noise Ryan couldn’t hear a thing. He was on autopilot, unable to speak, feeling as though he were drifting through a dream. The only one of his senses working was sight, his eyes riveted to Rachel. She’d lost consciousness in the ambulance and hadn’t woken up since. He gripped her bloodied, bruised hand for dear life.

“You have to let go now Mr Law. Sir, please,” said the nurse, prising his hand from Rachel’s when he failed to respond.

“Sorry,” he murmured, finally finding his voice and releasing her. He watched as she was rushed into surgery, her hand hanging limply from the side of the gurney.

He remained standing there, unsure of what to do and not wanting to leave her in case the worst happened. The uniformed PC accompanying him who had said his name was Starkey remained at a discreet distance, also unsure what he should do.

Taking pity on Ryan, one of the nurses came back out of theatre.

“You can wait in the Relative’s Room, we’ll keep you updated on her progress.”

“Will she be okay?” he said, voice cracking.

“We’ll keep you updated,” was all she was willing to reply. “The Relative’s Room is just down there, there’s a toilet next to it, you might want to have a wash,” she said before disappearing back into theatre.

Ryan shuffled off in the direction the nurse had indicated, Starkey following. He’d never felt so lost in his entire life.

“I need to go in here,” he told Starkey, his voice flat and tired.

“Okay, I’ll wait right here,” the PC replied, taking up guard duty.

Ryan hurried inside and locked the door then proceeded to wash his hands, watching the water turn red. He didn’t dare look in the mirror, unable to bear the sight of Rachel’s blood all over him. When his hands were eventually clean he sank to the floor and started to cry, careful to stifle the sound so Starkey couldn’t hear through the door.

“Mr Law, are you okay in there?” he called when he’d been quiet for a while.

“Yeah,” he called, wiping his eyes and dragging himself to his feet. He opened the door and he must have looked bad because the copper’s eyes filled with sympathy.

“Do you want a coffee?” he asked Ryan.

“Err, yeah thanks. Black no sugar.”

“Why don’t you take a seat in the Relative’s Room and I’ll fetch it,” he said before walking over to the vending machine. He didn’t even ask him for any money.

The Relative’s Room was overly hot but comfortable with a couch and a big cosy armchair. Ryan slumped into the armchair and took out his phone.

“Jez, please come to the hospital. Quickly,” he said, grinding the heel of his palm into his eyes, trying not to cry. “I need you.” He took a deep shuddering breath. “Bring Riley and Mikey.”

He hung up and buried his face in his hands. Starkey entered the room, placed his coffee on the table beside him then left to stand guard on the door.

By the time Jez arrived with Mikey and Riley, Ryan had himself back under control. When Jez walked in he shot to his feet and embraced his brother, desperately seeking comfort. Jez was surprised at first then relaxed and held onto him for as long as he needed. “How is she?” he asked Ryan.

“I don’t know. They took her into surgery, they won’t tell me anything.”

“I’ll see what I can find out,” said Riley, anxious to get out of the room, marching in the direction of the theatres. He’d looked like Ryan the day Zoe had died, distraught and covered in her blood. He’d thought helping Ryan get Rachel out alive would atone for how he’d failed Zoe and finally put his demons to rest. He wouldn’t be able to stand it if he failed again.

“How’s Rachel Law?” said Riley, grabbing the arm of a passing nurse.

“Who?”

He sighed with frustration and released her, grabbing a doctor instead on his way into theatre. “Rachel Law?”

“I’m sorry, I don’t know who that is.”

“For fuck’s sake, does anyone know what’s going on?” he yelled.

“I’ll try and find out for you. Do you know which theatre she’s in?”

“No idea.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

The man disappeared and Riley dragged his hands through his hair, Zoe’s screams filling his head. He screwed his eyes tight shut and massaged his temples. “Stop it, please.”

“I’m fine, stop fussing,” said Ryan as Jez helped him to the couch.

“No you’re not and there’s no shame in admitting it,” he replied.

“Can I get you anything?” said Mikey.

“A huge glass of scotch,” mumbled Ryan.

“I think the best I can do here is a bottle of surgical spirit.” He sat beside Ryan. “Rachel is going to make it. Have some faith.”

“I think I’ve run out of that.”

“She will pull through, I’m telling you.”

“What did you tell the coppers?” said Jez.

“That Rachel was kidnapped and Alex got shot trying to help her. You lot know nothing, okay? It’s simpler that way.”

“Did they swallow it?”

“No. I spoke to DCI Taylor, you remember him?”

“Oh shit, is he in charge?” said Mikey. “He’s in Alex’s pocket.”

“I know. He wanted to nick me until I threatened to tell his colleagues about him.”

“That’s why there’s a guard on the door?”

“Yes, to make sure I won’t do one, as if I would. It gets worse. Alex is still alive.”

“Oh fuck,” said Mikey and Jez in unison.

“Shit, we should have checked,” continued Mikey. “Why didn’t we?”

“Because he looked dead,” said Jez. “Let’s hope he doesn’t survive surgery.”

Ryan recalled the photograph Rachel had given him and pulled it out of his shoe. He held it up for them to see. “Do either of you know who this is?”

They both shook their heads.

He turned it over in his hands. “Sabine Jansons.”

“Where did you get it?” said Jez.

“Rachel gave it to me back at the warehouse. She said I had to find her. That’s all I know.”

“That name sounds foreign,” said Mikey. “Maybe she was from Alex’s brothel?”

“Strang said one of the women helped her escape,” interjected Jez. “What if that was her price for helping her, finding her sister?”

“It’s more than likely Laila’s dead,” said Ryan. “If she died trying to help Rachel then it would become even more important to her that she keep her end of the bargain.”

They were distracted by Riley bursting into the room. “Ryan, she’s okay, she made it through surgery. This is the guy who operated on her,” he said, standing aside to allow the man in a shirt and tie, sleeves rolled up, to enter.

Ryan leapt to his feet and grabbed the man by the shoulders. “She’s really okay?”

The surgeon smiled kindly. “Your wife has great determination and strength. It helped her get through. She lost quite a lot of blood, which sent her into shock but we stopped the bleeding and gave her a transfusion. None of the wounds are serious, although she may be left with some scarring.”

“But he cut her throat,” said Ryan, voice harsh. His tears were drying up to be replaced with a rage so potent it burned him from the inside out.

“But the arteries weren’t damaged. She has some stitches in her neck but I anticipate she’ll recover with no long term effects, other than the scarring.”

Ryan vigorously shook his hand. “Thank you, thank you so much. I want to see her.”

“Of course you can, I’ll take you. She’s in Intensive Care at the moment, there’s a high risk of infection with this type of injury but hopefully she’ll be moved off the ward in a day or two.”

Ryan’s heart broke when he saw Rachel asleep on the bed, her face still badly swollen and distorted, a patchwork of black and purple bruises. It was the sight of the bandage around her neck that he couldn’t stand. Cutting someone’s throat was somehow much more brutal and obscene than stabbing them. He sat beside her, feeling completely useless and gently cradled her hand, the knuckles cut and swollen from the fight she’d put up.

“She’s still sedated from surgery but it should be wearing off soon,” the doctor told him. “I’ve got another patient to attend to, I’ll be back to check on her later.”

“Yeah, thanks Doc,” said Mikey, patting him on the shoulder as he left.

Riley remained frozen in the doorway, watching Ryan sitting by Rachel’s side. Zoe had clung onto life for three days after the attack. He’d dragged himself out of his own sickbed, body riddled with stab wounds, to sit with her. Her stomach had still been full and round but it was empty of the baby it had been home to. Maisie had died in the attack and was removed by caesarean section. He’d begged Zoe to wake up but she never had, succumbing to her injuries the following day. He’d kept an all-night vigil by her side, falling in and out of consciousness himself.

Sensing the door was still standing open, Ryan looked up at him. “It’s okay, you can come in.”

Riley shuffled, feeling desperately uncomfortable before stepping inside and closing the door. He remained standing at the back of the room, unwilling to venture in any further, terrified his very presence would cause the same fate to befall Rachel as it had Zoe.

Mikey stood over Rachel and gazed down at her. “Look what that bastard’s done to her.” Gently he rested one hand on the top of her head. “Come on Rach, wake up. I know you won’t let him win.”

“How’s Beth and the kids?” said Ryan.

“Not good. The kids are quiet, too quiet for children that age,” replied Mikey, “and Beth’s in a sort of weird trance. Apparently Alex executed Nick in front of her. I mean she’s never seen anything like that before. How could he do it to her?”

“To punish her,” replied Ryan. “Did she tell you anything else?”

“No, she’s not capable at the moment. I hope she snaps out of it soon, we need her to fill us in,” said Jez. “But one thing’s for sure, she’s never going to be the same again.”

“Where’s Frankie?” said Ryan.

“Lying low,” replied Jez. “We told him it would be best if he stayed away, he doesn’t want the police finding out he’s in England. As far as they’re aware he’s still in Glasgow and nothing to do with this almighty fuck-up.”

As Mikey and Jez continued to banter back and forth, discussing what their next move should be, Ryan tuned their voices out. He watched Rachel sleeping, her beautiful face beaten beyond all recognition. She’d fought for her life, that much was clear, convinced she was going to die. She wouldn’t have been afraid, he was certain of that, but she would have been sad, thinking she’d never see him or the children again. The burning rage inside him only increased, consuming him entirely. He’d never experienced anything like it before. He’d been determined to kill Alex before but what he wanted to do to him now transcended mere death. He wanted to obliterate him completely, erase all trace of him from the face of the earth, he wanted it to be as though he’d never existed because if Alex Maguire hadn’t been born Rachel would be with him at their beautiful home in Devon, happy and healthy, her throat in one piece.

It wasn’t so much what Jez said as the way he said it that dragged Ryan from his reverie.

“Oh shit, I don’t believe it.”

“What is it?” said Ryan wearily.

“They’re only putting Alex in the room opposite.”

“What?” Ryan leapt to his feet to look out of the window. Sure enough there was the man himself, unconscious, being wheeled through the door of the room right across from Rachel’s.

“What the hell have they done that for?” said Jez.

“Because they think he tried to save Rachel, remember?” said Riley.

Ryan was too distracted to notice the look of antagonism that passed between his brothers. “I don’t believe it. How has he made it this far with two bullets in him?” The sense of injustice overwhelmed him, as did that slow steady burning anger and he erupted. “Bastard,” he yelled before rushing for the door.

“Oh Christ, stop him,” said Mikey, making a grab for Ryan but he found himself shoved backwards.

Jez tried next but Ryan threw him into Mikey and the two fell in a heap, taking Riley down with them.

“Stop him,” Jez yelled at Starkey.

The PC just managed to grab onto Ryan’s arm as he exited the room. Ryan tore his arm from the man’s grasp, grabbed him by the front of his stab vest and hurled him backwards into Rachel’s room where he landed on top of Mikey. Ryan burst into Alex’s room, face twisted with fury and eyes wild.

“Who are you?” demanded one of the doctors. “You can’t come in here…”

When Ryan lunged for Alex he suddenly stopped, unable to move. “Get the fuck off me,” he yelled.

But Riley refused to let go and hauled him out of the room backwards, his arms wrapped around his waist like a steel bar that Ryan found impossible to shake off.

“Let me go, that bastard nearly killed her,” he roared, furiously struggling.

Riley pushed him back into Rachel’s room and slammed the door shut.

Ryan thrust his face into Riley’s. “Move.”