Hunted (17 page)

“If you think I’m throwing my own mum out then you’ve got another thing coming.”

“You’d better if you want to stay married. She’s an evil old witch and she’s turning us against each other. Maybe if I’m gone a few days you’ll be able to see it.”

“That’s right, you run to your precious Rachel like you always do. I don’t know why you didn’t marry her instead.”

“I’m not having this conversation.” With that he walked out the door.

Joyce was standing in the hallway grinning from ear to ear, having overheard everything. This had been her plan all along. If Amber divorced him he’d have to give her a huge payout, which Joyce would soon sink her claws into. That had been her intention right from the first drunken fumbling. Had Amber been in on it too all this time? He looked back at her standing next to his desk, her face still pink, red curls dishevelled. She was crying and staring at him sadly with her big soft eyes. He had the urge to rush back to her and take her in his arms, assure her it was okay, he still loved her. It was real between them, he was sure.

Just as he was deciding what to do Joyce swept past him into his own office and shut the door in his face. He could hear her soft murmurs as she comforted her daughter, probably dripping more poison in her ear about him.

Mikey was so angry his heart pounded in his chest and his palms sweated. He decided it was time to leave before he did something stupid. If Joyce had been a man he’d have knocked her fucking head off.

CHAPTER 19

“I’ve got some news for you,” said Jared.

Katia broke into her cat-like smile. “Is it done?”

“No.”

“What?” she cried, stamping her foot.

Her tantrum amused Jared. “If you’d let me finish darlin’. It’s not done because - get this - Ryan Law has been kidnapped by a serial killer.”

“What is serial killer?”

He sighed. “Someone who kills people for pleasure. You know, a psycho.”

Katia knew what that word meant. She’d heard people use it in relation to Alex often enough. “I see. Is he dead?”

“No one knows. They’re trying to find him.”

“This isn’t right. I want him to know that I am behind it when he dies. I want him to see his beloved Rachel dead first, so he knows what I feel every day. He isn’t theirs to kill,” she screamed, picking up a vase full of flowers and throwing it at the wall, where it smashed.

“Will you get a grip of yourself? There are clients upstairs.”

“I don’t care about them. I only care about the Laws dying because of me.”

Jared grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her, causing her blond hair to fall into her eyes. “Well I fucking do and if you don’t shut that huge trap of yours I will.”

The threat was enough to make her go quiet. “I am sorry.”

Slowly he released her. “You’re still loyal to Alex, I admire that. It bodes well for our working relationship. Now fucking listen to me, we don’t know if Ryan is dead. Men like that can always drag themselves out of the shit and when he does we’ll deal with him. I can’t say fairer than that.”

“No, you can’t. I appreciate what you are doing for me.”

“You’d fucking better. Is Irina in?”

“She is serving drinks. You want to see her?”

“I want to do more than that to her.”

“I will fetch her and arrange a room for you.”

“Thanks love. Relax about the Laws, we’ll fucking do them. You kept your end of the bargain and I always keep mine.”

She gave him her sweetest, most grateful smile. “I know. I will find Irina for you.”

Katia felt a little better as she made her way upstairs. Jared was right. Ryan would escape and they would kill him instead. The sounds emanating from the rooms she passed were a balm to her, each sound was money, a lot of it. Her clients were once again the best, the rooms plush and classy. Not all the rooms were finished yet but once they were the money would be rolling in. Jared had done much for her and she was grateful he was willing to do this too.

She encountered Irina coming out of one of the rooms with an empty tray. “How is Veronika getting on with her client?” said Katia.

Veronika was a tall, striking Russian who, it turned out, was very skilled at delivering punishment to those who desired it. She enjoyed her work very much, which mainly involved beating up men. Her breasts were so small they were practically non-existent but her legs were incredible and her face so delicate it looked as though the features had been crafted from porcelain. She was proving to be very popular with her more discerning clients.

“Very good. She natural,” said Irina. She looked around and lowered her voice. “The MP she have with her enjoy dressing up as woman, calling himself Samantha and being spanked by her.”

“I am not surprised. His wife looks like a man so he’s probably used to thinking of himself as the woman.”

Irina smiled cruelly.

“Jared’s here. He wants some time with you.”

“I am ready for him.”

Katia didn’t like the eagerness in her voice. Irina was the closest thing she’d ever had to a female friend. Other women had always disliked her and she’d disliked them in return but she was very fond of Irina, she relied on her. If she fell in love with Jared she didn’t know what it would mean for them. Jared wouldn’t like that, he’d might insist on getting rid of her. That was the last thing Katia wanted but if it came to the crunch she would do it to remain in Jared’s good books.

Jules frowned at the sight of Mikey at her front door again, his presence was the last thing she needed.

“Pack a bag, we’re leaving,” he said brusquely.

“Excuse me?” frowned Jules. She’d taken Cassandra’s advice and let out her grief, crying solidly for two entire hours before falling into an exhausted sleep, which had been disturbed by Mikey, not endearing him to her any.

“Ryan’s gone missing.” He was heartened by the concern in her eyes.

“What happened?”

“No one knows. He just vanished. Rachel thinks he’s been kidnapped by a serial killer.”

“What?” she exclaimed, eyes glittering with surprise and excitement.

“Men have been going missing in Devon for the last seven years. Ryan fits the victim profile.”

“A serial killer?” she murmured, feeling the grief subside a little as an exciting new project took centre stage. Then doubt crept in. “Do they want me there after the last time I was in Devon?”

“Rachel asked for you.”

“She did?”

“You found Leighton and tracked down Katia when no one else could. She wants you tracking Ryan.”

Jules saw the perfect opportunity to really ingratiate herself into the family. “I’ll do it.”

“Good. Get packed.”

She nodded and disappeared into her bedroom. Mikey followed her, watching from the doorway as she threw things into an overnight bag.

“Are we okay?” he said.

Jules hesitated, dropped a bundle of clothes into the bag and sighed. “I’m still getting over what happened Mikey.”

“But…”

“Please let me finish,” she barked.

“Sorry,” he said, holding up his hands.

“I spoke to Cassandra. Don’t panic, I just told her that I’d found out he’d been attacked abroad and died. She gave me some good advice and you’re right, it is better for me that Leighton’s gone. It’s just going to take some time to get over.”

She was allowing him to see the vulnerable part of her and he was ashamed of himself when it excited him as much as her aggressive side did. She looked all soft and gentle and it made him want to pull her onto his lap. He was acutely aware of the large bed between them.

Realising she was still talking he forced himself to focus on her words.

“Every time I look at you Mikey I see you putting that pillow over his face and right now that’s all I associate with you.”

“I’m sorry for that, really sorry.”

She recognised how genuine he was being and nodded. “I know you only did what you thought was best, for me as well as yourself and you did. Just give me some space to get over it in my own time.”

“So we’re okay?”

“Not yet but one day we will be.”

“That’s the best I’m going to get?”

“You killed the little girl in me Mikey and I’m learning to cope without her.”

This woman absolutely fascinated him, there were so many facets and depths to her personality. He was witnessing the birth of a brand new one, one that would keep her more stable and grounded. He hoped.

“Then that’ll have to do, for now. Don’t take long,” he said, closing the bedroom door and retreating to the lounge. “Keep your distance Mikey,” he told himself.

Jez had serious doubts about taking Jules to Devon but if it was what Rachel wanted then there was little he could do about it. She did seem different now Leighton was gone, a little quieter, calmer, but he feared she was just lulling them into a false sense of security before she flipped out on them. He swore to himself that if she screwed up the search for Ryan or put finding him in any sort of danger he would bury her personally. But at the same time he was concerned, he felt sorry for her, not that he’d ever tell her that, she wouldn’t appreciate it. The abuse she’d endured had been horrific and he couldn’t even imagine what she was feeling now Leighton was dead.

They were at a private airstrip waiting for the plane that would take them to Exeter to be readied. Jez nodded at Mikey to give him some privacy with Jules. Understanding exactly what he wanted Mikey casually wandered off to chat to the pilot.

“How are you doing Jules?” said Jez quietly.

She shrugged. “I’m fine.”

“You sure?”

She studied him with her cool grey eyes. Jez thought it was just like looking into Ryan’s. “You know, don’t you?”

He nodded.

“Mikey and his big gob,” she sighed.

“We tell each other everything, it’s a rule we have. We don’t like secrets, they’re dangerous.”

“If you’re going to give me a lecture on how stupid I’ve been then you’re too late, Mikey got there first.”

“I’m not going to do that. You’re fully aware of what you’ve done. I only want to make sure you’re okay.”

“Why do you care?”

“Because you’re my big sister.”

“Only biologically,” she shrugged.

“True. We haven’t really made the effort to get to know each other yet. How about you come to my house for dinner one evening to meet your sister-in-law and niece and nephew?”

“I’m not really good at socialising and making small talk,” she said uncertainly.

“Then you need more practice. Dinner, my house, next week. I’ll let you know when and you will be there,” he said, playfully nudging her with his shoulder.

“Okay, if you insist.”

“I do.”

Brother and sister smiled at each other.

“Thanks Jez,” she said, feeling a little better. She’d lost the last person from her old family. It was time to build a new one.

He patted her on the shoulder. “You’re welcome big sis.”

Mikey returned. “Plane’s ready.”

They all walked out onto the concourse together, Jules smiling at her brother’s back.

It was Bruiser who opened the door, grim and glowering.

“Alright Bruiser, good to see you. I just wish it was under better circumstances,” said Mikey, holding out his hand.

Bruiser shook his hand and nodded. The three of them filed inside and dumped their bags in the hallway. Rachel appeared from the direction of the kitchen. “Mikey.”

She raced up to him and threw her arms around his neck, desperately seeking the comfort his presence always gave her but this time was different, she couldn’t feel it, her fear for Ryan drowning out any ounce of good feeling.

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” he soothed, stroking her back as she continued to cling onto him.

“Jez,” she said, turning from Mikey to him.

“Any idea where he is?” said Jez as he hugged her.

She shook her head. “No. The police aren’t much use. Finally they’ve realised there’s a serial killer on the loose but they’ve absolutely no idea who it is.” She looked hopefully to Jules and stepped forward to greet her. “Thanks for coming.”

“I’m happy to help. Actually I’m looking forward to it, taking on a real life serial killer.”

“Jules,” exclaimed Mikey.

She cringed when she saw Rachel’s outraged scowl. “Sorry, I have issues with social boundaries. I’m working on it though.”

“I don’t give a shit about your personal problems,” said Rachel. “Can you find my husband?”

“Yes.”

“Then that’s all I care about.”

“I need an exact timetable of his last movements.”

“This way,” said Rachel.

They followed her into the kitchen where a base of operations had been set up, papers strewn everywhere.

“Give her whatever she needs,” Rachel told Battler.

He didn’t appear to be too enthusiastic about this order but did as she said and dumped a list in Jules’s hands. “There you go, names, times, dates. Everything.”

“And you’re sure he’s been taken by this serial killer?” she said as she studied the list.

“He fits the victim profile. Sorry Rach.”

“It’s okay. Do what you have to do to find him. Don’t mind my feelings,” she replied grimly.

“Similar age,” went on Battler, hating how his words were hurting Rachel. “All the other victims were good looking too, physically strong and able. This guy’s got standards.”

“Any other links between victims? Sports clubs, similar hobbies, that sort of thing?” said Jules.

“Nothing. A couple of the victims knew each other, they grew up in the same area, but Ryan didn’t know any of them,” replied Battler.

“Where was he taken from?”

“Ryan left the spa at three forty four pm to pick Leah up from school, but he never got there.”

“How long a drive is it from the spa to the school?”

“Ten minutes.”

“Did anyone actually see him leave?”

“The receptionists did and we’ve got him on CCTV going out the front door,” said Battler.

“But his car was still in the car park,” added Rachel, her voice and eyes hard in an attempt to keep in her emotion. “The cameras didn’t pick him up beyond the door. He didn’t get near his car.”