He thinks to himself, What did they use to say on the old ‘A’ team TV show? Oh yes, “I love it when a plan comes together.”
Chapter Forty-Seven
Chris and Mr Gee walk into the old garage workshop. Kronid is watching TV. Dragos is sitting in the corner with a can of beer.
As soon as the two men walk in, Dragos tries to put the can down before his boss sees it but in his attempt, he spills it.
“What have I told you about drinking? I said you need to be sober at all times. You need to stay in control. We’ve got a lot at stake here.”
“Yes. Sorry, boss. It was only the one. I was a little thirsty, that’s all. It won’t happen again.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Dragos. You think I’m a fucking idiot?”
“No, boss. Of course not.”
No need for him to say anything. Dragos knows he’s in the wrong. The look he gets from Chris says it all.
“Did the parents pay? Have you got the money?” Kronid asks.
“There’s been a slight change of plan.”
Kronid frowns. “What’s going on? I thought you were getting the ransom money today. It was all arranged. You said you called them and they had agreed to pay.”
“If we had gone to collect the money, the police would have been waiting for us. However, this is something we anticipated and planned for. I warned them not to involve the police. But they have. We know how to get the money but just not in the way the police expect us to. Chris and I have been planning this for months. We know a better and safer way to get the money. This is what we planned from the start.”
“But I want my money,” Kronid grumbles.
“And you will get what is coming to you. Every last penny of it. But this way we don’t get caught. I’ve spent months planning this. You’ll get your money and doing it this way you’ll be around to spend it. You have to trust us. We know what we are doing. Two days from now and you’ll be rich – and more importantly, free to spend it. Right. We’re going to make a video of the girls. So don’t make any noise or say anything. The police are not stupid. They have ways of enhancing background noises or voices.”
“Why are you making a video of the girls?”
“Because it will show they are still alive and being looked after. The video will make sure they pay the money.”
Mr Gee holds out his hand to Kronid. “The key please.”
He hands over the key.
Chris picks up the tripod and video camera. Mr Gee has a copy of today’s Sun newspaper.
The men walk in and close the door behind them.
“Relax, girls. We’re here to make a video. To show people you’re alive and well. I want you to hold up this newspaper and say you’re being looked after.”
“What’s this all about?” Leona asks.
“What do you think? Your family is going to pay us a lot of money for your safe return. They want to know you’re being looked after.”
“How much longer will we be here?”
“That depends on your family and how quickly they raise the money.”
“What will happen to us?”
“If you behave and don’t cause any trouble, once your family has paid the money and we are happy, then we’ll blindfold you, take you to a remote spot and let you go free, and after an hour we’ll call to say where you are.”
“And what about the smelly one out there, are we safe from him?”
Chris laughs. “Don’t worry.” He sets up the camera on the tripod. “Kronid, the nice one, has the only key. We want the money not a romp in the hay. You’re safe.”
“Right, get ready for your video. You never know, after this you’ll be even more famous than you are now.”
“Face the camera lens and tell them you’re being well looked after.” Mr Gee gestures them into position.
He holds up a sheet of paper with the words he wants them to say.
Once happy with the result, Chris turns off the camera.
“Good girls. Just do as you’re told and don’t cause any trouble and you’ll be out of here before you know it.”
Chris and Mr Gee walk out of the office. Chris locks the door and gives the key back to Kronid.
“You’ve done a good job taking care of them. A couple of days at most and you’ll be rich beyond your wildest dreams.”
“What do you think, Lo? Should we be worried?”
“It’s difficult to know. The one who looks in charge. The beard is obviously false so he’s wearing a disguise. He probably wouldn’t bother if they were going to kill us.”
“There you go, babe, looking on the bright side as usual.”
“What’s the first thing you want after we get out of here, beside a long shower?”
“Update my Instagram. How about you?”
“Getting out with my knickers still in place will be enough. I don’t trust Smelly out there. I know the beard said the other guy has the key but things can change.”
“If he does try anything just pretend to go along with it and then kick his fucking nuts as hard as you can. We’ve always managed to handle it. Don’t worry, babe, I’m sure it will be okay.”
“Yeah. I’m sure you’re right. Worse things happen at sea, don’t they?”
“How the fuck would I know what happens at sea? What am I, cabin crew?”
The two girls manage a laugh.
Outside in the old workshop, Mr Gee is carefully taking the SD card out of the video camera and placing it into an envelope. It takes him a minute as he has a pair of gloves on. The same ones he was wearing when driving the minibus and he’s worn on each occasion he’s visited the workshop.
He writes a name on the envelope then rather than lick the flap with his mouth, he runs water from the tap and uses it to stick
