Vinny and Davy were both distant cousins of Kevin. He had given each of them a home when they had needed one after being released from prison for petty crimes. Vinny lived in a caravan on the Two Oaks Caravan Park. Davy lived at the farm and looked after the three dogs that were kept as a deterrent for unwelcome visitors. Both men also did odd jobs for Kevin and helped out with his dodgy deals. They also kept an eye on the slave workers that Kevin used who were kept in locked sheds at the back of Kevin’s property.
It was 5.50 a.m., as Kevin drove into the courtyard at the farm. He still had his left leg in plaster, and luckily his car was an automatic. He was pleased to see Vinny and Davy already there. As usual, Davy had a roll-up hanging from the corner of his mouth. Vinny was sipping tea from a mug. Kevin knew it might contain a small drop of whiskey but not enough to be over the limit for driving.
After a few words to explain what they were doing, they all got into the vehicle Davy had prepared and set off.
Thirty minutes later, Vinny pulled up at the gates to JM Equestrian Centre and got out and went over to the gates and using large bolt cutters, he broke the chain attached to the lock and threw it into a nearby hedge. Then he got back into the vehicle and drove along the path towards the main building.
Roger had moved the folding bed from the container to inside the main building and into one of the offices.
He was awoken by the sound of an approaching vehicle.
When he looked out of the window, he saw a horsebox coming up to the front of the building and stopping. A man got out and looked around as if he was lost.
Roger walked out, looking a little suspicious. “Can I help you?”
“Hello, I’ve just moved to the area, and I saw the sign for the equestrian centre and stables, and I’m looking for somewhere to keep my daughter’s horse.”
“How did you get through the gates? We’re not open for business.”
“They were open. I just drove in.”
Roger thought for a second. He was certain he had locked the gates, but maybe he was mistaken, with everything that was going on. “No, I’m sorry. We’re not open and can’t take in any horses.”
“Okay, I’ll find somewhere else. The back doors of the horsebox have come loose and it takes two people to fix it. I don’t want to drive around with it like that. Would you mind giving me a quick hand?”
“Yes, of course, no problem.”
Roger thought it strange. The horsebox looked almost new. He recognised it as an Oakley Super Sport horsebox. He had looked at buying one for Julie but thought before he bought one he would let her choose the colour. He knew it had two stalls and all the latest gadgets.
Before Roger had moved, Vinny quickly walked round to the back of the horsebox and opened the two doors. As Roger walked round and looked inside, he caught a glimpse of Kevin sitting on a chair. He noticed the Taser aimed at him, but it was too late.
“Two can play at your game,” Kevin said as he aimed and fired.
“Quick, tie him up and get him in the back,” Kevin said as he carefully climbed down with the aid of his crutches.
Vinny drove the horsebox up to the front gates and stopped. Davy, who had been previously crouching down to hide in the well of the passenger seat, got out, and after the vehicle had driven through, closed the gates and locked them with the new padlock, they had brought with them.
Chapter Forty-Five
NO ESCAPE
Roger awoke to find himself with his legs tied and handcuffed round a horizontal metal bar. The horse stall he was in had a door with what appeared to be two-thirds solid made and the top section of metal bars. As he looked up, he could see a camera trained on him, obviously being fed to the dashboard and used to keep an eye of the horses when they were being transported.
An hour and a half later, he felt the vehicle stop and then heard the warning beep as it slowly reversed and came to a halt.
Roger felt the rays of light emersing him as the back doors opened and then the metal door to the stall was opened to reveal three men.
“We’re going to take you for a little ride. I hope you’re a good swimmer.”
Vinny opened the metal door of the other stall. Roger watched as the men took out its various contents. First was a wheelchair. Followed by a blanket, two plastic boxes slightly larger than shoe boxes, a large metal jerry can and two bags of cement.
Vinny got in and undid the handcuffs, and together with Davy they lifted Roger out of the stall and placed him in the wheelchair and then handcuffed him to one of the arms.
Roger could see they were in the car park of a marina.
“You’ll keep quiet if you know what’s good for you,” said Kevin.
Davy walked in front with Vinny pushing the wheelchair and Kevin hobbling along behind as they made their way along the walkway past a row of boats.
Suddenly they stopped by a boat called Voodoo Child. Roger knew enough about them to recognise it as a 44-foot long Sealine SC 44 cruiser with room for up to seven people.
Vinny and Davy grabbed the wheelchair, one on each side and carried it across onto the deck. Kevin hobbled down with the aid of his crutches.
Kevin went through to the cockpit and started
