Hunted (20 page)

“If I am are we on for a threesome tonight?”

She’d only said it to embarrass them, punishment for not believing her and they both coloured, even their bald scalps went red.

“No we are bloody not,” said Battler loudly and vehemently, Bruiser frantically nodding his head to show his solidarity with his brother.

Staff and customers alike looked amused as the brothers hastily exited, their stubbly faces burning with humiliation

“Where do you get off behaving like that?” demanded Battler the second they were outside. “We’ve built up a good reputation around here and I will not let you destroy it.”

The occupants of the beer garden all leaned in to better hear the row.

“I wanted to teach you a lesson,” said Jules. “I know you think I’m a psycho but I’ve found out something you couldn’t. Have a little faith in me. What’s your problem?” she snapped at a man sat at a picnic table close to where they were stood, who was gazing up at her adoringly.

“Marry me,” he grinned.

“Sorry love, I’d frighten the shit out of you,” she replied. Battler and Bruiser were forced to hurry after her again when she suddenly marched off the pub grounds and into the road, causing another car to blare its horn. “Shut it, dick,” she barked, eliciting a round of applause from the pub.

The three of them climbed into Battler’s car.

“We would be ever so grateful if you could keep a low profile. We need to do this subtly,” said Battler, annoyed.

“What’s the point in that? If someone’s missing it’s vital everyone knows.”

“Because we don’t know if Ryan’s disappearance is connected to the other men’s. What if it’s something to do with his past or Mikey and Jez’s present?”

“You’re the ones who called the police.”

“I don’t worry about plod, they can always be paid off. Just please, try to be more diplomatic.”

“I’ll do my best but it’s not my strong point.”

“No,” Battler snarled when she placed a cigarette between her lips. “You light that and I’ll throw you and it out the fucking window.”

“I love it when you’re dominant,” she grinned, replacing the cigarette in its packet.

CHAPTER 22

Hayden, Grant and Mark were sat in a car a few houses down from Katia’s front door waiting for her to emerge from her large, plush home.

“It’s not right that evil cow has a pad like that,” commented Grant.

Mark Cameron nodded in agreement.

“Who is this Katia exactly?” said Hayden, sat in the back. He was an impressive-looking man with dark brown hair and cold blue eyes. “I’ve heard mention of her but I don’t really know what she’s done.”

“Alex started a human trafficking operation on the sly,” began Grant.

“Dirty bastard,” muttered Hayden.

“He rounded up some eastern European girls and set them to work in his brothel, poor cows,” continued Grant. “Katia was one of those girls, brought over from Slovakia. He became obsessed with her and he set her to running the brothel. She was ruthless too, beating the shit out of all the other girls. He got her pregnant and they had twins.”

“Hold on,” frowned Hayden. “What’s going to happen to the kids if she’s dead?”

“Mikey and Jez want them back in Manchester.”

“Why?” he said suspiciously.

“Don’t worry, they’re going to look after them. They share Mikey’s blood, they’re his second cousins or something. They’ll be well looked after but Katia’s a threat to us all. She has to go.”

“I’m not comfortable killing women,” grumbled Hayden.

“This is no ordinary woman, she’s an evil, conniving bitch, trust me. It’s why Alex fell for her. Given the chance she’ll bring us all down. If you don’t like it then say now.”

“I’m in, just as long as it’s for a good reason.”

“It is. Here she comes,” said Grant, starting the engine. “Oh crap, she’s got the kiddies with her.”

They all watched Katia strap two bundles wrapped up in blue into the back of her car.

“What now?” said Mark.

“We follow her,” said Grant. “We might get a chance yet.”

Beth and Riley were both shocked by how dreadful Rachel looked. Her face was stark white, her cheeks hollow, eyes ringed with black shadows, making the irises look like tar. Her hair was uncombed and nose red from crying.

Without a word Beth stepped inside and hugged her friend, feeling Rachel’s tears soak into her hair.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” whispered Rachel.

“I’m always here for you mate,” she whispered back.

Rachel’s arm shot out and pulled Riley into the hug too. “Thanks for coming.”

He was still in his army fatigues. He’d insisted on coming straight here after Beth had told him about Ryan’s disappearance. Anticipating this she’d already packed a bag and booked the tickets to Exeter airport. They’d flown out two hours after Riley’s flight had landed at Manchester.

Rachel released them and wiped her eyes, composing herself. “Thanks for coming, I appreciate it. Where are the kids?”

“With my parents,” replied Beth. “I didn’t want them near this after everything they’ve been through.” Archie was a little angel for her parents. It was only her that he behaved badly for. She thought it would do both of them good to have a break from each other.

“Any word?” said Riley, knowing this was really bad. It would take something horrific to keep Ryan from his family.

“Nothing,” Rachel replied, eyes glittering as more tears filled her eyes. “I’m trying not to think about the person capable of taking a man like Ryan. It’s too scary.”

“Where are Mikey and Jez? I thought they’d be here by now,” said Beth.

“They are. They’ve gone out to do a round of the hospitals again, just to make sure Ryan hasn’t turned up yet.”

“We’ll I’m here to help. What can I do?” said Riley.

“Plenty with your skills. Listen, there’s something you should know. I’ve asked…”

The front door opened, cutting off her words. In walked Jules, who was talking excitedly, followed by Battler and Bruiser.

“We’ve got a lead Rach,” said Jules. Her smile dropped when she saw Riley. “Oh shit.”

Unable to run out the front door because Battler and Bruiser were blocking it, she dodged around Riley and made for the back door. It said a lot about Riley’s capabilities that Jules ran from him.

“Get back here you bitch,” he roared, running after her. He made a grab for her but she ducked under his arm.

Jules could hear the others shouting but Riley was unstoppable. Just as her hand closed over the door handle he grabbed her, pulled her back and threw her across the room. She landed flat on her back on the tiled floor, winded. When he came at her she rolled and shot to her feet. He snatched a knife from the block on the counter, brandishing it expertly in one hand.

“What did I say would happen if I ever saw you again?” he snarled.

“I’m here to help.”

“Bollocks. All you do is hurt people. You’re probably behind this.”

“I am not,” she retorted. “I’ve changed Riley.”

“Scum like you doesn’t change. Where’s my brother?” he bellowed at her, advancing on her with the knife.

“That’s what I’m trying to find out. We’ve finally got a lead. Are you going to kill me before I can see it through?”

“Lies. All you know is lies. You’re just trying to lead us away from him.”

“Riley stop it,” yelled Beth. “What do you think you’re doing in Rachel’s house?”

“You don’t know what she’s like,” he replied without taking his eyes off Jules. “She’s a fucking snake. She arranged this.”

Jules held her hands out, palms up, in a gesture of supplication. “I didn’t, I swear. Now put the knife down so we can all find Ryan. Together. He’s my brother too.”

“No he’s not. Other people mean nothing to you, you selfish slag.”

He lunged at Jules, who tried to fight back but found herself knocked off her feet, looking up at him from the floor with the knife pressed to her throat.

Riley felt something jammed into his back, felt the steadiness of the hand.

“Let her go,” said Rachel’s cold voice. She jammed the taser even harder into his back. “I love you like a brother Riley but don’t think I won’t shock you.”

“You can’t trust a word she says. She’s a lying, murdering bitch.”

“I don’t care what she is. She can help find Ryan and that’s what counts. If this is all you can contribute to finding him then you can fuck off right now.”

Jules sucked in a breath when he slackened his death grip on her neck.

“What if she’s trying to lead us away from him?” said Riley.

“She’s not. Now let her go unless you want to know what it’s like to be tasered.”

Riley glanced up at Beth and was ashamed of the fear in her eyes. After everything Alex had put her through he’d spent so long trying to convince her he was different, now here he was holding a knife to someone’s throat.

“Alright, I’m putting it down,” he said, slowly dropping the knife. The pressure on his back eased and he climbed to his feet and turned to see Rachel with the taser still in hand and pointed at him.

“You okay Jules?” she called.

“Fine,” she replied, dragging herself up off the floor.

“You two have met before?” said Rachel, addressing the question to Riley.

“After Zoe died. I thought she could lead me to Jasper.”

“As I told you back then I had nothing to do with all that,” said Jules. “Then he tried to throw me out of a window.”

“Riley,” breathed Beth.

“As you can see I didn’t do it. I let her live.”

“How big of you,” retorted Beth, folding her arms and turning her back on him.

Convinced he was calm Rachel slowly lowered the taser. “I’m sorry for what happened to Zoe and the baby, really I am, but they’re gone and nothing is bringing them back. Ryan is missing now. He could be dead and you’re carrying on like this,” she yelled in his face. “Stop fucking about and get out there and find him. If you can’t do that then you can get back on a plane this minute.” Rachel’s eyes were as black as pitch, she was furious with him.

Riley felt stupid and embarrassed. “I’m sorry.”

He looked to Beth, who still had her back turned. He went to her and wrapped his arms around her, but she stubbornly refused to turn around.

“Jules, what’s this lead?” said Rachel perfectly calmly, slipping the taser into a cupboard well out of reach of children. For the first time since Ryan’s disappearance she felt calm and in control. Sorting out Riley had done that for her.

“Err,” she said, glancing at Riley, who was paying her no attention, too busy trying to coax Beth out of her mood. “I think I’ve worked out how he was taken, with a little help from these two,” she said, nodding at Battler and Bruiser.

“How?” said Rachel, her gaze steady and intense.

Jules explained her tranquiliser gun theory. When she’d finished Rachel looked to the two brothers, who both nodded.

“We think she’s right,” said Battler. “We checked out the scene where Peter Everill was taken from. There’s a pub there now but when he disappeared it was just wasteland with plenty of trees to hide behind. Daniel Tebbs was snatched from the fields behind the Tebbs’s farm. Luke Jones disappeared on his way to Judo class, he always took a shortcut through the park to get there. I found out from a plod that John Owen was snatched while jogging. His route took him past Haldon Forest Park. We don’t know where the other victims were taken from.”

Rachel looked to Jez, who gave her a
told you so
look. “Two men,” she said thoughtfully. “Makes sense. Actually your whole theory makes sense. It would take more than one man to abduct Ryan.”

Jules smiled, pleased and very relieved.

“So what now Rach?” said Battler. “You want to take this to Ashley?”

“Not really. You three have got further than the whole Devonshire and Cornwall Constabulary, but they can run a search on who purchased a tranquiliser rifle better than we can. I’ll put it to him and they can be getting on with that.” She turned back to Jules. “Who do you think has my husband?”

“They’re hunters. Hunters of humans. The tranq rifle and hiding in the undergrowth smacks of a professional, someone who’s got bored of hunting animals.” She glanced at Battler uncertainly who nodded, urging her to continue. They could all see the negative effect her words were having on Rachel but she had to hear it. “There is a link between all the men who were taken, more than one in fact. All fit and relatively young, good looking, strong and handy with their fists. They’ve picked the best of the best to hunt. They’ll have taken him somewhere secluded and rural to…”

“Hunt him?” said Rachel.

Jules nodded solemnly.

Rachel got to her feet and went to the window, turning her back on the room while she got herself under control. Battler was the only one who approached, sliding an arm around her shoulders.

“I’m okay,” she said, voice as hard as stone. She turned back round to face everyone, keeping close to Battler, his big warm body reassuring.

“How do you even know this?” said a sceptical Riley, his arms still around an unyielding Beth. “What if you’re way off and you send us on a wild goose chase?”

“Because I’ve hunted humans myself, lots of them and I’m good at it, so I know I’m right,” said Jules.

“You can help us Riley,” said Rachel. “With your background you could narrow down the search field. Where could someone do this without being noticed?”

“We’re on the edge of Dartmoor National Park,” said Battler. “And Exmoor isn’t far away.”

“Has anyone got a map?” said Riley, eager to redeem himself.

Bruiser held up his hand and nodded before heading outside to his car.

“Beth, please,” Riley whispered in the lull that followed while they waited for Bruiser to return. “I’m sorry.”

“I thought you were different Riley,” she whispered back.

“I am.”

She shrugged him off. “No you’re not.” Beth walked over to Rachel and stood by her side, taking her hand.

When Bruiser returned with the map Riley took it from him and spread it out on the dining table, determined to use his expertise to win back Beth. “How big is Dartmoor?” he said.

“About the same size as London,” replied Battler. “Four hundred and fifty miles of paths and bridleways.”

“Shit,” sighed Riley. “Then this must be someone who knows the area like the back of their hand.”

“There are towns and villages in the park,” said Rachel. “We’re on the very edge of it right here. It’s not just a huge expanse of emptiness.”

“Does any hunting go on in the park?” said Jules.

Just the sound of her voice was enough to set Riley’s nerves jangling but he forced himself to keep it in. If he didn’t control himself Rachel would chuck him out and he’d lose Beth forever.

“Shooting and hawking,” replied Battler.

“What sort of shooting? Deer, that sort of thing?”

Battler shook his head. “Nah. Birds, pheasants mainly. They’re driven game. Could be a beater as well as a hunter?”

“Maybe,” said Jules.