Stevie follows the instructions.
Several times he thinks about trying to make a grab for the gun but his unwelcome passenger keeps it close to the back of the seat and it would take at least a second to try and grab it, by which time he knows the gun could easily be used on him. Maybe he can wait until they get to wherever he is being taken.
Stevie is given instructions as he drives.
“Pull into the car park,” snaps the passenger.
Stevie does as he is told and drives down the slope into the basement car park.
“Stop at the far end and then get out of the car.”
As he is climbing out, Stevie wonders if now would be the best time to make a dash for it, but with the heavy coat on he doesn’t think he can outrun his unknown passenger.
“Stand against the wall.”
The thug with the gun puts his hand into his left pocket as he continues to hold the gun in his right. Not for one second does he take his eyes away or lower the gun.
He pulls out his phone and presses to call a number that is obviously pre-entered.
“We’re here in the car park. Come down.”
After a minute of waiting, the lift opens and out steps another heavily built man. Looking around he makes his way over. “Turn around,” he barks at Stevie. This second thug grabs his arms and ties his hands behind his back.
“What’s going on?” Stevie struggles. “I thought this was a robbery. Don’t you want my money? What’s this all about?”
“Silence, or you’ll get it,” says the first man.
They wait as the second man goes over and calls the lift. When it arrives without anyone emerging from it, he beckons them over. All three men get in the lift and the top floor button is pressed.
The lift goes ‘ding’ and the recorded voice announces the top floor.
When the doors open the second man moves out, looks both ways along the hallway and then beckons to them to follow. They turn right and walk to the end of the hallway to a door marked ‘Emergency Exit’.
The door is opened and Stevie is pushed out into the cold air with both men following. The first man has been holding his tied hands all the time since they were in the basement car park and he is still holding them tightly. The second man reaches into his inside jacket pocket and produces a piece of paper. He looks at the paper, keeping it in his gloved hand; he seems to be reading it. Then he gives out a small short chuckle, folds the paper, and puts it into the left-hand side pocket of Stevie’s coat.
Stevie is getting really worried. “What do you want from me? What have I done to you?” He is now panicking and shaking with fear.
The man holding his tied hands pushes him forward. They are close to the edge of the building.
Stevie isn’t sure what to think. At this point he would gladly tell them anything they want to know.
Suddenly, and to Stevie’s relief, the first man starts to untie his hands. In a second they will be free. It looks like they are going to let him go.
With his hands released, Stevie starts to ask the man what the hell is going on. At this moment, the man lifts both his hands and gives Stevie a massive push. He falls backwards and trips over something.
That something is the edge of the building.
Chapter Forty-Six
JAMES
After an early night, the migraine has gone and I’m feeling refreshed. I walk into the offices at ten fifteen am and I’m wondering why the receptionist on the main entrance is looking at me so strangely.
Going up to the first floor, I enter the general office of MJA Charity Foundation to find Susan Heffer with Jill Dean and Alison Crook all seated together. It looks like Susan and Jill have been crying. There’s no sign of Stevie; he must have stayed over late at his new girlfriend’s place.
“Morning, all. Is there a problem I should know about?” I enquire.
“James! You’re alive!”
“Eh? Yes. I know I looked like death warmed up yesterday but I feel much better now.”
“No, I mean, we had the police here this morning. They told us you were dead. They said you jumped off a building – committed suicide.”
“I’m not sure what’s going on, but as you can clearly see I’m here and alive. Must be some sort of mistake. Why did they think it was me?”
Chapter Forty-Seven
GERRY PAYNE
Gerry Payne spent the last twelve of his thirty years in the police force working in the Drug Squad Division. Five years ago he’d gained promotion to the rank of DCI.
As the years had passed by, he noticed the job change from investigative work and good honest coppering to becoming more political, and increasing in paperwork and meeting targets and budgets. Some days he felt like a glorified accountant trying to balance the books rather than a detective.
He was one of the few officers he knew who was still happily married. His four children had now grown up and he and his wife Paddy had long been talking about him taking retirement when he reached fifty-two. Both of Gerry’s and Paddy’s parents had passed away in recent years and so they’d inherited their houses, which they have rented out.
Paddy had worked as a bookkeeper for a firm of accountants where one of their clients had successfully run the Milton Motel for the past twenty-two years and had decided to retire. Paddy knew from working on their accounts the business was highly profitable. She also knew as the owners were into their seventies, they had neglected parts of it, which meant it offered a lot of potential. She had discussed with them the possibility of Gerry and herself buying the business, and reached an agreement on the terms and
