“Okay, look. Stay there and I’ll be over as soon as I can.”
Twenty-five minutes later, Roger arrived at the Milton Motel. He could see the area the police had cordoned off where the shooting had taken place. It was covered with men in white suits on their hands and knees searching every inch of the floor.
At the entrance was what looked like a temporary sign saying ‘coffee lounge’ and an arrow pointing to the side of the hotel where Roger knew the old one had been situated.
He walked in and saw his father and ex-wife sitting at one of the rear tables. “Are you both alright?”
“Yes, we’re fine. I expect the shock will kick in later but thanks to the bravery of the hotel owner, we’re okay.”
Over the next few minutes, they went through all the details.
Then Vernon said, “I think I’m going for a lie-down, son. It’s been a bit exhausting.”
“Yes, of course, Dad. It’ll give Francis and me a chance to catch up on things.”
Then it was Roger’s turn to break the bad news. “I witnessed them killing someone. They wanted me dead. That’s why they kidnapped Mum and Dad. They wanted to do an exchange for me. But something happened and Mum got killed.”
“Oh my God. No!” Francis grabbed his hand. “This can’t be happening. Haven’t these people done enough to us? What sort of animals are they.”
Roger waited while Francis composed herself. Then went on.
“Dad hasn’t told me the full story yet. I expect he’s still dealing with the shock. I was sure they’d try to kill us all and as it turned out I was right. But luckily Dad and I managed to get away. I was holding one of their sons as a hostage to bargain with. But something happened. I had him at the equestrian centre I bought for Julie. When I was moving him, he knocked me out and escaped, but he fell into the horses’ swimming pool and drowned.”
“What have the police said?”
“That’s the problem. I haven’t reported it yet.”
“You have to.”
“I know, but I need to work out a few things first. You’ve just witnessed what these people are capable of. They kidnapped my parents, killed Mum, and they were going to kill Dad and me. If I’m in prison, who’s going to protect you and Dad? That’s my concern. I’m not bothered what they do with me. I just need a bit of time to figure things out.”
“I know you, Roger. You’re the most decent man I have ever met, but you need to involve the police in this.”
“I will. I just need a little time.”
Roger walked out of the coffee lounge and round to his car. Deep in thought he paid no attention to the tatty dark blue Vauxhall Corsa that had been sitting in the car park for the past two hours.
Vinny Watkins had already been on the phone to Kevin O’Connor. It was his third phone call to the man he called boss. “Kevin, I’m still at the Milton Motel. That Roger bloke turned up a while ago. Looks like he’s leaving. What do you want me to do?”
“Follow the bastard. Don’t fucking lose him. I want to know where he goes.”
“You can count on me, Kevin. You know you can.”
Twenty minutes later, Vinny watched as Roger got out of the VW and unlocked the metal gates to the Equestrian Centre and drove the vehicle through and then got out and re-locked the gates.
“Hello, Kevin. I followed him to a place called JM Equestrian Centre. It’s on Shelford Road on the other side of Trumpington.”
“Good work, Vinny. If he’s just gone in there, he probably won’t come out for a while. Go and stock up with food and drink then go back and watch that place like a hawk. I want to know everything he does. If he leaves, follow him. I want that bastard, Vinny. Don’t you let me down. You hear me?”
“Got it. Kevin. If I have to stay all night, I’ve got a blanket in the boot. I’ll keep you updated. How are you, boss? What do the doctors say?”
“My leg’s broken. They say it will take six to eight weeks, but I’ll be able to walk with crutches.”
“As soon as he moves, I’ll let you know, boss.”
“Good lad, Vinny.”
Quentin Reeves had been the head surgeon at Trentbridge Hospital for the past four years. He was a skilled doctor who always stayed calm under pressure and did his best. However, the young man who had been brought in with a gunshot wound to the stomach was giving him cause for concern. Lennox O’Connor had been taken to the operating theatre straight from the ambulance.
The doctor had assessed his injury.
“How is he, Doctor?” asked the police officer sent to guard Lennox.
“Not good. The bullet entered his stomach on the left side and has sliced through his portal triad, that’s the arteries and veins that supply the liver. It’s not going to be easy. Now if you’ll excuse me I need to attend to him.”
After nearly four hours of surgery and fifty units of blood later, the young man was still bleeding and things were not looking good. Doctor Reeves had done everything he could and was getting more concerned by the minute.
At Trentbridge police station, the initial interview with Sadie O’Connor had ended, and Sadie had been returned to her cell, when Tracy Archer’s phone rang.
“What? You’re sure. No, that’s okay. I’ll handle it. Leave it with me, and I’ll get back to you.”
She went over to her colleague DI Eden Gold. “Eden, I just got a phone call from the hospital. Lennox died on the operating table. It seems there were complications. I need to tell Sadie.”
“Want me to come with you?”
“No, I think woman to woman is best. She wouldn’t want to look weak in front of a man.
Chapter Forty-Two
TRACY’S FATHER
Tracy walked down to the cells where Sadie was being held.
The custody sergeant, Owen Franks, opened
