Shattered (Dividing Line #5) (11 page)

“It’s alright Rick. I want him gone as much as you do,” she replied casually, spooning more cereal into Holly’s mouth.

“Oh, right.”

“Rick, you can’t be around for this,” said Ryan reasonably.

“Why not?”

“Because Alex could use you to get to Rachel. By staying you could inadvertently put her in more danger.”

“Rubbish.”

“It’s not Rick. Please listen to me.”

“I will do anything to protect my little girl, anything,” he said passionately.

“And I respect that but please, go back to Gill and the grandkids. I need you looking out for them.”

“Don’t treat me like an idiot, you know they’re safe.”

“And they need you with them. Gill and Leah have got enough to worry about without worrying about you on top of everything else.”

Rick was beginning to waver but was afraid of leaving Rachel behind in case he never saw her again. “I can’t leave Rachel, I just can’t until I know the danger is over.”

“It will be soon, I promise. Rachel’s on the mend. Please Rick, get yourself out of harm’s way so I don’t have to waste time worrying about you. All you’re going to do is take up resources we can’t spare because you’re going to need someone guarding you at all times and you’ll give us another weak spot that Alex will try to exploit.” He knew he was being harsh but he had to get through to Rick the danger he would pose not only to himself but to the rest of them if he stayed.

“Ryan’s right,” interjected Beth. “I love you like a dad Rick but you’ll only get in the way. So will I, the kids too, which is why we’re joining Cathy and Amber in Italy. What’s to come isn’t for people like us.”

“I suppose you agree with them?” Rick asked Riley, who nodded.

Rick sighed and hung his head. “I’m afraid if I go I’ll never see my only child again.”

“That’s not going to happen. We’re going to win this.”

Rick fixed him with a sad, steady gaze. “What if you don’t?”

“Alex is laid up in hospital, his men are leaving him in droves and, thanks to Mikey, his access to the businesses has been cut off and a stranglehold put on his finances. There’s no way we can’t win.”

“I’m glad you’re confident Ryan but you should know to expect the unexpected.”

“I’d die before I let anything happen to her.”

“I know but look what happened to her just a couple of days ago.”

Ryan inhaled sharply and looked down at his hands.

Rick put a hand on his shoulder. “You did everything you could to stop that happening, but it did anyway. Now do you understand why I don’t want to go?”

Ryan raised his head to look him in the eye. “I have a daughter myself, of course I do, but you still can’t stay. Leah needs you too, she knows what’s been going on. She’s out there with all that going round inside her head with no way to let it out because Gill still doesn’t know.”

The thought of his little granddaughter needing him started to sway Rick.

“Please,” pressed Ryan.

“Alright, I’ll go back.”

“Thank you.”

“Will Rachel join us when she’s fit to fly?”

“We both will.”

“Before or after you’ve taken care of Alex?”

“I think you already know the answer to that.”

“She’s going to help you hunt him down and kill him,” he said, shoulders slumping.

“She’ll help us hunt him down, but she won’t be a part of the killing.”

“You promise?.”

“I do.”

“Okay, that’s the best I’m going to get I suppose.”

“Yes, I’m afraid it is.”

“Just try and convince her to come out to us when she’s better. I doubt it’ll work but have a go, for me.”

“I will Rick.” It was a lie, he’d already promised Rachel he wouldn’t cut her out and he’d much rather break a promise to his father-in-law than his wife.

“You’re a good lad, better than Danny Maguire ever was.” He downed his coffee and hauled himself to his feet. “I’ll make some calls and book myself on a flight out.”

“You’re already booked on a flight this afternoon.”

“That was fast,” he frowned.

“The sooner the better Rick.”

“Fine. I want to see her before I go though.”

“I’ll take you in this morning, then you leave with no arguments.”

“Scout’s honour,” he replied, making Ryan smile.

CHAPTER 11

Rachel was dozing after another examination, Battler and Bruiser sat in their chairs reading newspapers. Neither of them had slept the whole night but they were still bright eyed and alert, not so much as a crease in their expensive tailored suits.

Rick crept in and took the chair by Rachel’s side, watching her sleep. When he took her hand her eyes rolled open.

“Dad?” she murmured, rubbing her eyes.

“It’s me Sweetpea. I’ve come to say goodbye, I’m booked on a flight out this afternoon.”

“I’ll miss you,” she replied, hoping she didn’t look too relieved.

“I’ll miss you too.” He kissed her forehead and gazed down at her, stroking her hair back off her face. “Please be careful Rachel. I know you’re full of anger and you want to get back at Alex for what he’s done but remember you have three kids who need you. Don’t do anything stupid, please.”

“I won’t.”

“If you don’t meet us out there you’ll be in big trouble young lady,” he said, eyes filling with tears.

“I’m sorry for all the worry I’ve put on you,” she said, starting to cry too.

“So you should be,” he replied with a gentle smile. “Did you talk to your mum?”

“Yeah. She didn’t want to know about what was really going on. She’s happy believing it’s the after-effects of the fire.”

“I wish I could do that. I’ve got lots of stuff in my head that I wish wasn’t there. I don’t know how you do it.”

“Neither do I,” she rasped, a tear sliding down her cheek. She wanted him away from all this but she was also going to miss him horribly. What girl didn’t want her dad around when things were bad? “I spoke to Leah too, she’s hanging in there but she needs you.”

“I’ll look after her, don’t you worry.”

“I’ll take him to the airport myself then I’ll come back,” Ryan told her.

Rachel was pleased. Her dad would be safe in Ryan’s capable hands.

“Bye Dad. I love you.”

“Love you too,” he said, kissing her hair.

After they’d gone Rachel found herself drifting back off to sleep. Twenty minutes later she jumped awake at a loud bang, which turned out to be the door being pushed open by five large men, four in police uniform and one plain-clothes.

“What’s going on?” she said, rubbing her eyes and attempting to sit up.

The plain-clothes officer stepped forwards and flashed his warrant card at Battler and Bruiser. He wore a short black jacket, black trousers that appeared to be a size too big and a scowl.

“I’m DS Leyland. You two are under arrest.”

Battler and Bruiser were amused by the concept. “For what?” said the former.

“Armed robbery a week ago.”

“Bullshit, this is Alex,” said Rachel, her voice still a hoarse bark.

Leyland ignored her. “Kenneth Longbottom, Oliver Longbottom, you’re under arrest…,” said Leyland, before reading them their rights.

“Longbottom?” said Rachel, fighting the bizarre urge to laugh. No wonder they’d taken on tough-guy pseudonyms.

“We’ll come with you,” said Battler, talking over Leyland’s speech, “as long as you let us arrange security for Rachel first. She could still be in danger and your lot have done one.”

Glancing out of the window Rachel saw the two police officers who had been stationed in the corridor outside her room had vanished and her heart started to race.

“Put the phone down,” said Leyland when Battler pulled his mobile out of his pocket.

“Look, we’ll come quietly but we refuse to leave her all alone.”

“Her kidnappers are dead, there’s no danger now so boost yourselves before we have to get rough.”

Battler got to his feet and Leyland found himself staring up into the face of a pissed off giant. If it hadn’t been for the presence of his four uniforms he would have felt seriously out of his depth. Glancing at his colleagues he saw that none of them were particularly keen on taking on the brothers either.

“We’ve got orders not to let you make any calls. Now move it,” said Leyland, feeling a bit ridiculous standing nose to shoulder with the man.

“This has come from higher up than you, hasn’t it?” said Rachel, talking still painful for her. “You’re not the ones being bribed by Alex.”

All five officers turned to regard her, intrigued.

“Excuse me?” said Leyland, affronted. “I’d be careful making accusations like that Madam.”

Rachel recalled she wasn’t supposed to let slip about Alex’s involvement in the attack. There was no choice but to remain quiet about it. “They didn’t commit any robbery,” she persevered, waving her hand at her bodyguards.

“That’s for us to determine,” replied Leyland. He looked to the uniforms. “Cuff them.”

Bruiser got to his feet too and glared down at them like a huge immobile statue. “I wouldn’t recommend it boys.”

Leyland opened his mouth then, unsure what to say, looked back over his shoulder at his officers again.

“Just let us make one goddamn phone call to arrange some more security for Rachel,” seethed Battler. “Or do you want her to be left all alone? Is that your fucking game?”

The last thing Rachel wanted was the brothers getting arrested because they wouldn’t think twice about assaulting five police officers. Then they’d be locked up for years. Anxiously she chewed her lip before pressing the call button for the nurse.

“Now be sensible and come with us,” said Leyland, snatching the phone from Battler’s hand and pocketing it.

“Hey, you can’t do that you bastard,” he protested.

When he thrust his face into Leyland’s aggressively, the officers formed a tight circle around them both, their fingers twitching over the pepper spray hanging from their belts.

“Give me that you,” said Leyland when Bruiser started to dial on his own mobile. He tried to snatch it from him but Bruiser held it higher, so he couldn’t reach. A couple of the uniforms hid smiles when Leyland jumped up in an attempt to swipe it from his hand.

“Get it off him,” an angry Leyland barked at his officers.

Rachel was appalled when they started to scuffle. Finally two nurses arrived however they couldn’t get into the room because of the seven tussling men. An older woman Rachel recognised as the sister of the ward banged the door into one of the officer’s backs until he moved and she stormed in, furious.

“What is the meaning of this?” she yelled, nostrils flaring. “This is a ward for very sick people. How dare you behave this way?”

All seven men ceased struggling against each other and stared at their shoes like naughty boys.

“Who’s in charge here?” demanded Sister.

“I am,” said Leyland, raising his hand as though he was in school.

“Who are you?”

“Detective Sergeant Leyland. We’re here to arrest these men.”

“Sergeant I demand you and your men conduct yourselves in a more professional manner. I have never in all my years seen such appalling behaviour…”

As she admonished them the other nurse rushed over to Rachel.

“I’m fine. Sorry for causing a panic. Please call my husband, I need him here right now.”

“Visitors aren’t allowed back on the ward until twelve thirty, after the ward round.”

“Please, someone’s going to try to kill me if I’m left alone.”

“Now I’m sure that’s not true…”

“Call him. Now,” she hissed through gritted teeth, fear and frustration making her angry.

The nurse gawped as Rachel’s eyes turned black and she thought it would be in her best interests to do as she wanted.

“Okay,” she replied before hurrying out.

When Battler shoved Leyland backwards Rachel decided things had gone far enough. “Battler, please don’t make it worse. Go with them. I’ll arrange for your solicitor to meet you at the station. You’ll be out in a few hours, I promise you that. You’ve done nothing wrong.”

“We can’t leave you alone.”

“The nurse is calling Ryan right now. I’ll be fine. Go with them. I don’t want you done for assaulting a police officer.”

“Alright, but we wait until the nurse comes back so we really know she’s called Ryan then one of them sits with you until he gets here, won’t you?” he demanded of the sister.

“Yes, I think we can stretch to that.”

“We can’t wait…,” began Leyland.

“It’s the best you’re going to get,” snarled Battler. “Take it or fucking leave it.”

Leyland thoughtfully chewed his lip.

“Take it you fool. He looks like he could eat you for breakfast,” Sister snapped at Leyland.

“Fine,” he sighed, folding his arms across his chest, looking distinctly put out. He’d been completely humiliated in front of his junior colleagues.

Battler pushed through the circle of police to reach Rachel’s side. “This is all bullshit Rach,” he said, taking her hand.

“I know. Don’t worry, you’ll be out soon enough.”

“I’m not worried about myself, I’m worried about you.”

“Don’t be. Ryan will be here soon and nothing can happen if there’s a nurse with me.”

He didn’t appear convinced and bent to kiss the top of her head. She felt him slip something under her pillow.

“Protection,” he whispered in her ear.

Divining he’d hidden a weapon under her pillow, she smiled up at him and nodded.

When the nurse returned to say she’d called Mr Law and he was on his way, Battler and Bruiser were escorted out by the officers.

The whole ridiculous situation had exhausted Rachel and she slumped back into the pillows.

“You’ll stay with me?” she asked the young nurse.

“Yes. Is there anything I can get you?”

“No thanks, I’m so tired,” she said before drifting off.

Rachel jumped awake again only it wasn’t a noise that disturbed her this time, more of a feeling that something was wrong. She opened her eyes to find herself all alone, the nurse gone. Glancing at the clock on the wall she saw that only a few minutes had passed. Her heart started to bang in her ribcage as she looked through her window into Alex’s room and saw the blinds were open. Col Sugar’s grinning face stared back at her but there was something distinctly eerie about his death’s head smile. Black shadows ringed his eyes, pale skin stretched tightly across his skull. She watched with mounting horror as he walked to the door of Alex’s room and turned the handle, his destination clear. His way was blocked by a porter pushing a patient on a gurney, accompanied by a doctor and two nurses, buying her precious seconds.

Rachel yanked the tubes out of her arms and pulled herself upright. She knew she was too weak to walk but she wasn’t going to lie there and let him kill her. Taking a deep breath she planted her feet on the floor and reached under the pillow for whatever Battler had left her. It was a small knife. Clutching the weapon she staggered a few steps towards the bathroom, knees threatening to buckle. Gripping the handle of the bathroom door, it took all of her strength to pull it open and she released a loud groan as the movement tugged her wounds. Just as Col entered her room she snuck inside the bathroom and fell against the door to close it, lacking the strength to push it. She turned the lock and slid to the floor, a thud reverberating on the other side as Col pounded on the door. She dragged herself to the far side of the room and leant back against the wall, the knife still clutched in one hand as the thuds continued to sound.

“You can hide in there but I’m going to get you, you fucking bitch,” she heard Col hiss. “I’m going to slice you open from your cut throat to your belly and pull your insides out.”

Rachel didn’t respond, listening to his footsteps then the unmistakable sound of the blinds being lowered.

This was followed by absolute silence and she held her breath in an effort to hear. A loud bang caused her to jump as Col tried to break down the door. Even though she had the knife if he broke through she’d be defenceless because she was far too weak to put up any kind of resistance.

As suddenly as it started, the thudding ceased. She tried to stop her teeth from chattering as cold from the tiled floor seeped through the thin material of the hospital gown.

“Rachel open up, it’s DCI Taylor,” called a deep voice.

Rachel didn’t move. Despite what he’d told Ryan, she had no idea whose side he was really on.

“You’re safe now, he’s gone.”

“How can I trust you?”

“I don’t know what to say to that.”

“I’m not moving until Ryan gets here.”

“Come on Rachel, you’re ill, you should be in bed not locked in a toilet.”

“Back off,” she yelled when the door handle waggled up and down. A fire started in her neck and water filled her eyes

“Fine, I’ll wait right here if that’s what you want. The nurses told me Ryan’s on his way, they assured me they’d contacted him.”

Rachel slumped against the wall, the knife slipping from her hands, wrapping her arms around herself as the shivering grew violent, feeling weak and useless. She used to have bucket-loads of confidence, mainly due to the fact that she knew she could stand up to anyone and usually win if it got physical. However her utter defeat at the hands of Alex had shown her that she wasn’t as invulnerable as she’d thought and it scared her.