Ransom 4

Aaron listened to the approaching footsteps with bated breath, he was anxiously waiting for whoever it was to appear, to show their face. He was certain it would be the bloke who'd knocked him senseless, but knew he could be wrong, that someone else could be involved. He didn't like that idea, why had he let that thought breathe life? Things were bad enough without his imagination adding to his woes.

He realised he'd lost the power of surprise by kicking the doors open, he'd planned on catching whoever it was opening them unawares, and knock them off balance in the process. He'd got it into his head that he could somehow get away from them. How stupid was he? Tied up like he was he was he wouldn't get very far. It had all looked so easy in the film he'd seen, it wasn't looking so easy to him now. Impossible was how it looked and he was desperately trying to decide his next move, maybe it would be best to just wait and see what happened in the next few minutes...

A figure suddenly stepped into view, the man he'd been foolish enough to turn his back on. He was staring at him, his face expressionless, his eyes cold. A shiver ran down Aaron's spine, it horrified him knowing he was at the mercy of this bastard.

The stranger was shaking his head now, his attention on the doors, at the damage done to them.

"Robert said you'd be trouble."

Aaron was taken aback by the words, they made it sound like Robert knew all about what was happening to him! But that couldn't be right, Robert wouldn't do anything like this, not to him... he loved him, he'd told him he did. No this idiot was just messing with his head. He was angry now, angry at his captor and angry at himself for doubting Robert. His anger instantly turned to rage when the other man suddenly stepped forward and caught hold of his legs. Aaron knew he was about to be hauled out of the van and he wasn't prepared to make it easy for the knobhead. He began to buck and twist, but soon realised he was fighting a losing battle, even knowing that he just couldn't give in and lurched upright, headbutting the stranger in the nose. The impact caused Aaron to groan in pain but he knew his victim had come off a lot worse. Within seconds he was paying for his act of rebellion, he was violently dragged out of the van and hurled to the floor. Although left winded and in pain by the fall Aaron eyed his assailant defiantly. Blood was dripping from other man's nose and Aaron could see anger in his dark eyes, he wasn't surprised when he lashed out at him with his foot, the blow impacting with his chest.

Aaron closed his eyes against the sudden onslaught of pain, he knew he had either a cracked or a broken rib to add to his misery. He'd made matters ten times worse and was regretting his actions now. As hard as it might prove to be he couldn't let his temper get the better of him again, he knew he was going to have to keep his head if he was to get out of this nightmare alive.

Despite his little pep talk Aaron's first reaction to being manhandled again was to fight against it, but not for long. He quickly admitted defeat and let himself be dragged face down across the hard concrete floor. He tried to raise his head in an attempt to get a good look at his surroundings but all he could see was concrete walls. He had no clue as to where he might be, but the stark white walls reminded him of a prison. He was soon being dragged through a doorway into an unlit room. As he strained to look around it his captor released his hold on him. Aaron gazed up at the figure towering over him, wary of what he might do to him now.

Wiping the blood trickling from his nose Shields glared at Aaron, "Be warned! Robert ain't paying me enough to take this sort of crap."

Again the strangers words left Aaron reeling. Not the threat but the pointer to Robert being involved in it all. Aaron tried desperately to quash his suspicions but he wasn't finding it so easy this time. He was so tormented by his thoughts he hadn't realised his antagonist had made for the door only becoming aware he was alone when the door shut leaving him in total darkness. It was enough to jolt him back to the present and the fact he was in desperate need of a drink not to mention a pee! He wasn't going to be left like this was he?

/

Robert had spent the evening in the living room, one minute pacing the floor, the next sitting motionless on the sofa. He'd put the TV on in the pretence of watching it. No way could he concentrate on it but the background noise somehow helped stop his thoughts from overwhelming him. He hadn't eaten and despite wanting the comfort of alcohol he'd not taken one sip of the stuff, he was surviving on endless mugs of coffee. He'd been willing Shields to ring again, hoping against hope that he would but all the time knowing he wouldn't, that it would be tomorrow at least before he contacted him.

Chas had walked into the room an hour or so back, seeing him she'd turned around and gone back to the bar, Robert knew she wouldn't have done that if Aaron was here, her true feelings where he was concerned would have been well and truly hidden. But it was good she was ignoring him now, it would be a lot easier to deceive her that way.

He was just thinking about going up to the sanctuary of his bedroom when the door had opened, Chas again walking into the living area, only this time she wasn't alone. DS Wise was with her. Robert was taken aback to see him, what could he possibly want? The trial was over, the sentence passed, and it was a bit late for a social call wasn't it? Seeing the grave look on Wise's face Robert got to his feet.

"Chas tells me Aaron's not here, that she's not sure where he is right now."

"Why what's happened?" Robert demanded.

Turning to look at Chas, DS Wise said "I think you should sit down."

Chas shook her head then glanced over at Robert suddenly grateful for his presence.

"Just tell us." Robert insisted.

"I thought it best you hear it from me..."

"Hear what?" Chas demanded her frayed nerves finally getting the better of her.

"Gordon Livesy was found dead in his cell earlier this evening..."

"Dead!" Chas exclaimed unable to believe what she'd just been told.

Robert was a little more accepting of the news, questions already on his lips, "How... I mean why, what... what happened?"

"I'm sorry that's all I can tell you, I wasn't given any details but as soon as I know anything more I will let you know." DS Wise paused before adding "I wanted Aaron to know before anyone else, but it's probably best it comes from one of you."

"Yes." Robert agreed glancing over at a visibly shocked Chas. "I'll tell him." Of course he would but fuckin' hell! This was the last thing he needed right now. It was a complication he could well do without. Gordon Livesy could rot in hell for all he cared, but he wasn't sure how his death would impact on Aaron. But that wasn't the point, he wasn't in any position to tell him, he didn't even know where he was. Could things get any worse?

tbc