Chapter 10: Dangerous Meetings
Thomas Lyndon days had been getting tougher. He had been meeting military officials daily over hotspots that could affect the country and force them in a conflict. He had to recommend to the Prime Minister a new Chief-of-Staff as the current incumbent was about to retire. His workload had also increased so because of his new responsible as the minister temporarily in charge of MI5.
Lyndon was seen as a rising star within the Conservative party and a champion of the liberal wing. He was forty-one years old; his father was in the army as a tank driver and rose through the ranks to be a lieutenant-colonel. Lyndon attended state school and went to University College Emerald to study Law. He became a successful barrister, specializing tackling white-collar crime and well liked by the Criminal Prosecution Service (CPS). He had also worked in the Territorial Army as a captain and had served in peace-keeping operations. In 1992 he won the seat for the City of Emerald, the financial district, in the general election and latter that year served in a special committee to help come up with policies and a cross-party consensus on how to tackle financial crime.
When Edward Bear ran for the leadership in 1994 Lyndon was one of the first MPs to support Bear and was one of his top campaign officials. He was rewarded by being made David Johnson's deputy as Shadow Home Secretary. When the Conservatives won the 1997 election Bear made Lyndon Trade and Industry Secretary: a move criticised by the media, the opposition and some within Conservative ranks, believed that he was too inexperience for the job. Lyndon proved himself by making savings within the department and working with transport and environment department made a start bringing in legislation to help improve efficiency and the environment. At the end of 1997 the pervious Defence Secretary resigned over his failing health and Bear appointed the young minister to the middle ranking cabinet position and Lyndon became a powerful minister over the Ministry of Defence (MoD), forcing reforms and was started to get defence projects to run at cost and worked as a useful advisor to the Prime Minister. He was seen as one of the most competent ministers during the attacks in Diamond in September and was now seen by the press as one of Bear's favoured successors.
"Mr. Drake has just arrived for his appointment," Lyndon's secretary said over the intercom.
"Send him in please."
Winston entered the room and shut the door behind him.
"Good to see you today Mr. Drake," Lyndon said and reached his hand to shake Winston's.
"I'm glad that you were available," Winston relied, shaking the minister's hand.
"Do you care for a coffee or tea or something?"
"Black coffee would be great," Winston answered.
"Jane, two black coffees please," Lyndon said into his intercom and then looked Winston in the eye. "I'm sure you didn't come round for drinks."
"I wish that was all I wanted," Winston said. "As you know I am running the investigation into the assassination of the Home Secretary. My theory is that the Longtons, a cult of evolver extremists who believe that they are one true form of life on the planet and that all non-evolvers should be eliminated. My bosses at MI5 are not allowing me to investigate this theory believing it's a waste of time."
"What evidence do you have?"
"First off many of the assassins seem to be evolvers with abilities create energy and have strength powers."
"Could be a group of mercenaries."
"There was a DNA sample inside the minister's car which matched a sample involving Sonia Green, the only person to escape the Longtons. The assassination also took place within a mile of the village of Rotan, the Longtons strong hold."
Lyndon seem to be interested with what Winston had to say about the investigation so continued.
"I'm sure that you are aware about Charlie Davenport's escape from custody." Lyndon nodded. "Well the Home Secretary was the arresting officer back in 86. The Home Secretary was also stabbed repeatedly and the wounds are concession to Davenport's victims."
"It could have been Davenport working alone or with a group of hired help," Lyndon said. As a trained barrister he had to look for other opinions.
"One of my officers also met up with a source from another group. The source gave him information about gun-trafficking to the Longtons; guns matching what killed the Home Secretary."
"Who was your source?"
"A member of Nenil," Winston answered.
"Not the most reliable source," Lyndon said. "I'm guessing he isn't going to testify."
"Sadly not. Also I have been working with DCI Tracey Lee, a Vice Squad officer. She has e-mailed me a list of suspected members of the Longtons."
"And I'm also guessing you want me to authorise questioning these people."
"Got in one," Winston said.
Lyndon sat back for a moment and took a slip of his coffee. He had to think carefully. Lyndon knew the Prime Minister wanted arrests but the Defence Secretary knew that the arrests must be legal if the case had any chance of going to court.
"Okay," Lyndon said. "You can make the arrests, but you can't charge them with anything to do with the Home Secretary unless you have clean evidence they are involve. Don't use any illegal methods and offer them protection if need be."
"Thank you sir," Winston said.
"Just don't let me down."
- - - - -
Sonia was nervous; she had not been twelve Winile Street for over a year. She took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. She quickly rubbed her hair to get rid of the snowflakes that settled.
Sonia waited a few moments and it seemed like no one was in. She was about to turn away when the door opened.
"Sonia?" a female voice said. "Sonia Green?"
Sonia took a gulp of air, turned around and said: "Hi, Mrs. Cummings."
"My God, it's been so long," she said. "How have you been?"
"I've been alright thanks," Sonia answered in her quite voice. "Is Darren in?"
"Yeah," Mrs. Cummings said. "Come on in and I'll get him."
Sonia entered the house, took off her black coat and hung it up on a coat hanger. She went into the lounge and sat down on the sofa whilst waiting for her ex.
After waiting for three minutes Darren came down stairs slowly. He was unsure why Sonia had come to see and nervous because the last time he saw her she almost cut her wrists infront of him.
"Hi," Darren said nervously.
Sonia smiled back.
"Why have you come here?" Darren asked.
"I wanted to say sorry about the last time we met," Sonia said. "I was in a really bad place."
"I understand that," Darren answered. "But why did it take you so long?"
"I needed a new start," Sonia said, "and… and I was ashamed. I didn't think you would want to see me again."
"Oh Sonia. I was mad about you; I was worried every single day. I wanted so much for you to contact me."
"That's what I like about you," Sonia said. "You are so sweet and still so sweet."
Darren smiled. Sonia put her right hand on his left knee.
"I didn't want to lose you as a friend," she said.
Darren took a deep breath and swallowed.
"Are you seeing anyone?" he asked.
"Yeah, a guy called Clas," Sonia answered. "He goes to Southam uni."
"What's he studying?"
"Law. Anyway are you going out with anyone?"
"No."
"Got your eye on anyone?"
Darren drew a blank. He didn't know what to say.
"THERE IS!" Sonia shouted in girly voice. "Tell me."
"No," Darren muttered.
"Come on," Sonia said. "I told you about my boyfriend."
"You don't know her."
"You don't know, I might." Darren said nothing. "Is it someone from school?"
Darren nodded.
"Is she in our year?" Sonia asked. Darren shook his head. "Year above?" Darren shook his head again. "Year below."
Darren did nothing.
"She is!" Sonia said in excitement. "Is she in your drama club?"
"No."
"In one of the teams?"
"Yeah," Darren said. He knew they was no point resisting. "It's Laura West."
"I remember from hockey. She's really pretty."
"And I haven't got the nerve to talk to her."
"She's a nice girl," Sonia said. "She told me that I was lucky to be with you."
"You're only saying that to be nice," Darren answered.
"I might have embellished a little, but she did like you. Ask her out after Christmas, the worst she could do is say no."
Both teenagers sat quietly for a few minutes after that. It was Sonia who broke the silence:
"Darren, on the day I was kidnapped what did you do?"
"What?" Darren was taken aback by this question. "I was upset."
"I mean before you found out I was gone."
"I treated it like a normal day." Darren was rattled, he never thought Sonia would ever come back into his life and ask this. "Why are you asking this?"
"I heard a rumour that you were with Louise Brown that day."
Darren's jawed dropped.
"Oh my God," Sonia said. "It's true."
"I can explain," Darren said quickly
"I better go," she answered as she stood. She headed to the door and grabbed her coat. Sonia struggled to hold back the tears back.
Sonia left the house and walked quickly away from it. She went to the next street and leaned against a wall. She let herself cry.
Not only had her ex cheated on her but her dreams seem to have more truth to them. This wasn't right!
- - - - -
Sonic awoke at ten thirty in the morning. His plans for the day were to meet Amy to physiotherapy and followed by lunch with her and in the evening he promised to take Dazzla to the cinema.
Sonic did his usual morning routine of picking his clothes for the day and heading to the shower.
After that he headed downstairs and saw Jessica and Dazzla watching a video.
"Hey," Sonic said and rubbed Dazzla's hair where he received an electric shock. "Ahh," he screamed. Sonic then looked up and saw that it was a pirate film his nieces were watching.
"Where are the others?" Sonic asked.
"Claws and Stars have taken Tails out for the day," Jessica answered. "And mum and dad have gone Christmas shopping."
"What time are you going?" Dazzla asked.
"Quarter to twelve," Sonic answered
"And where are you going?"
"Amora, on Chester Street."
"That's a nice place," Jessica said.
"I know, that's why we're going there."
- - - - -
He hated to betray the cause he believed in but what they were doing was much worse. He believed evolvers were much stronger then ordinary citizens but the Longtons were not more then a bunch of rapists, pimps and drug dealers.
He agreed to go into the city to get a large collection of heroin and cocaine and then distribute it to more suppliers.
He was walking around the south-east area of the city with a large package in his hands. The south-east of Emerald was infamous for having touch council estates and conceat jungles.
He stood opposite a football stadium, the Lair. It was the home of Byfield F.C, his boyhood club. Byfield was supported loyally by the locals, but hated by most of the country. They had a reputation for playing a harsh game and a major hooliganism wing. They even had a chant No one likes us, we don't care!
He stood there for a few minutes thinking of happier times, watching games with his dad, his brothers and friends. He even thought of the famous victory nine years ago when Byfield beat Diamond United 3-2 in the FA cup.
"Are you are alright?" a thirtysomething male Alsatian asked.
"Yeah, I'm okay thanks," he answered.
"Byfield fan?"
"Yeah."
"Good man," the Alsatian said. "How do you favour our chances of promotion."
"There good, we should get into the playoff at least," he said. "I'll love to chat but I need to take this to the post office. Maybe I'll see you around some time."
"Yeah, my friends and I drink at the St. George if you ever around."
He walked to the nearest post office which was a fifteen minute walk away. He had to wait in a long queue; many people were posting packages to relatives across the country. When it came round to being serve he placed his package on the counter and said: "this is an urgent package!"
- - - - -
At MI5 headquarters Winston ordered a background check on all the people on DCI Lee's list and he found out that the Longtons' did not discriminate on who they forced to become members and made into slaves. He had already ordered join teams of MI5 and police officers to question dealers and prostitutes.
"Winston!" a young male arctic fox shouted. "WINSTON!!"
"What is it?" he asked.
"It's Ember, he wants you in his office and he is pissed."
"Another round with the beast," Winston joked and headed out towards Ember's office.
After a couple of minutes he was at the office.
"Martin asked to see me," Winston said to his secretary.
"He said just to go in," she answered.
Winston entered and Martin said: "please shut the door."
Winston obeyed because he knew what was coming.
"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU TRYING TO DO?" Martin shouted. "WHY IN GOD'S NAME DID YOU GO TO THE MINISTER?"
"Because you were hindering my investigation," Winston answered calmly. "You wouldn't let me question possible suspects and sources. I couldn't go to the DG so I had to go Lyndon."
"So why couldn't you go to the DG."
"I know the office politics, I know that the DG listens to you and he is glooming you to be a future head of MI5. He's not likely to listen to your subordinate."
"So you saw it fit to go over both our heads."
"YES!"
"Look Winston, I respect you and I know you are good at your job, but the Longtons are not our concern."
"YES THEY BLOODY WELL ARE!!" Winston shouted at the top of his voice. "The Longtons are a group of sadists, rapists and murderers. They don't discriminate against who they attack. They aren't going to stop just because they are killed a cabinet minister. They could kidnap and rape the Prime Minister's daughter, bomb up a school or nuclear power plant. They'll do anything to achieve their goals. We have to stop them!"
Martin sat deeper in his chair and thought for a moment.
"Okay Winston," he said. "I want to be updated as much as possible. We can't make a move against their village let so we need more evidence and then we can get them."
"Thank you sir," Winston answered.
- - - - -
Sonic went to as many of Amy's physiotherapy sessions as possible. She had been making a lot of progress, building up strength in her legs and starting to feel movement.
The physiotherapist asked Sonic to leave the room so he was reading the newspaper. The main story was on about potential Home Secretaries and criticising the Prime Minister over the time it's taken for him to make the appointment, the investigation on the assassination and talk about a Marxist group's involvement and a health story about a new drug that could help treat cancer. Sonic turned the paper to the back to read the sports pages.
Sonic was reading a report about Diamond United making a £5.5 million bid for a defender from Troham when the physiotherapist came to the door.
"You can come in now," she said.
Sonic folded up his newspaper and walked into the room. He saw Amy was sitting down on a black metal chair with no arms.
"Is everything alright?" Sonic asked.
Amy responded by standing up and started to walk. Her steps were small and baby like but it was an important sign of her improving health after the terrorist attack she was caught up in. After about five steps she tripped up and Sonic caught her in his arms.
"Wow," he said. "This is great Ames; you'll be out of that wheelchair in no time."
"I know, it's great," Amy said. There were tears in her eyes, but out of joy, not sadness. "My only bad thought though is that Roo is never going be able to ever do what I just did."
"Hey, come on. You know if Roo was here he would be supporting you all the way and want you back to health."
Sonic stroked her hair.
"Come on, let's sit you down."
- - - - -
Forty-five minutes after they lunch Sonic and Amy were both beaming over Amy progress. The young lovers thought the best way to celebrate for the moment was to have a nice lunch followed by some Christmas shopping.
Both headed towards the city centre in a black cab taxi because Amy was too nervous to use the underground. When the taxi stopped Sonic paid the driver and helped Amy get out the car.
A few minutes later Sonic was pushing Amy towards a small shop they both knew and loved when they could hear a brass band playing up the street. Sonic could hear the words in his head: Come all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant.
The song reflected Sonic cheerful and he noticed they were collecting for a children's hospital, so he reached into his wallet, pulled out a ten pound note and put it in the collection bucket.
"Merry Christmas!" the conductor shouted.
"And Merry Christmas to you too," Sonic shouted back.
- - - - -
Sonia was on edge. The dreams were getting to her and seeing Darren crushed her spirit. She had wandered the streets for two hours, trying to avoid people as much as possible until she found a large pub called the Merchant's Inn. The barman did not asked for any proof of age and Sonia had been drinking scotch ever seen. Now she was drunk and continuingly having thoughts in her head about her dreams and her memories. She had no prier knowledge of Darren with Louise Brown and she didn't even know the other girl in her dream and Sonia kept thinking of that voice saying it should be her committing those sex acts.
A 24-year-old male jaguar came up to Sonia and sat in a chair opposite her. She looked and said in drunken way: "What do you want?"
"To said hello," he answered.
"You want to screw me don't you," she said.
"What?"
"Hey, you wouldn't be the first guy to think that. They were a lot of guys who fancied me and I would expect that they had fantasies about me. Then I was attacked and made into a goddamn whore!"
"What are you saying?" he asked.
"FUCK OFF AND LEAVE ME ALONE!!!" she shouted, standing up and pushing the table on top of the jaguar.
He jumped out of the way before the table could hit him.
"YOU'RE FUCKING CRAZY!!!" he shouted. "YOU NEED TO BE LOCKED UP!!!"
"I need to be locking up!!!" Sonia shouted "I need to be locked up!!!! I have been locked up!!! I have been locked up for three months and made into a sex toy!!!! I don't need comments from you!!" She boomed and kicked the man in the head.
"SONIA!!!" a female voice shouted. "SONIA STOP!!!"
Sonia turned around and saw it Rachael Cohen, Gemma's 20-year-old sister.
"What are you doing?" Rachael asked.
"Showing this scumbag a lesson!!"
"You're drunk," Rachael said.
"I still know what I'm doing!"
"We got to get you out of here before you get yourself into more trouble."
Rachael grabbed Sonia's upper arm and dragged her out of the pub. When they went round the street corner Rachael told Sonia the truth about the man she attacked.
"That man is Rick Kidd, a Headhunter," Rachael said.
"A hooligan?" Sonia questioned.
"A rising star in the firm," Rachael said.
"How do you know this?"
"From the newspaper I'm doing my uni placement. Now I going to take you back to my house and Gemma and I are going to sober you up and take you home."
- - - - -
Rachael had taken Sonia back to her house and Gemma was waiting for them both. Sonia was guided to the kitchen and sat down whilst Gemma put the kettle on.
"Call me if you need me," Rachael whispered in her sister's ear which Gemma responded by a nod.
When the kettle boiled Gemma poured the water in a mug with coffee in it followed by milk and sugar. She put the mug infront of Sonia and then asked; "what's the matter?"
"I, I just don't know any more," Sonia answered.
"You never gone out drinking before, something serious is going on." Gemma puts her hands on Sonia's wrists. "Tell me please. I'm really worried about you."
Sonia put her right hand over her eyes and nose and started to cry.
"Don't cry," Gemma said and put her arms round her. "Don't cry," she whispered patting Sonia on the back.
"I just don't understand it, I just don't understand it anymore," Sonia cried. "I keep having dreams; memories; visions: I just don't know."
"What have they been about?"
"They have been so dark and horrible. When I was kidnapped and abused and it felt like I was living it again, all the pain and everything. I dreamt about some really terrible things and I don't know if they are real or fake."
"You have been through a lot, its understandable you'll dream about it."
"You don't understand," Sonia said. "It's not just memories. I have dreamt about things I shouldn't know about. I dreamt about that girl who was kidnapped a few days ago and I didn't know that she was kidnapped until after the morning afterwards. I dreamt about my ex's police interview and he admitted he was with someone the day I was kidnapped. I saw him today and said it was the truth." Sonia was unable to say anymore. Gemma gave her a box of tissues which she started to use.
"This seems to be more then consequence," Gemma said. "How long has this been going on?"
"A few weeks."
"You need to see someone," Gemma said.
"But who?" Sonia asked. "If I go to my doctor they possibly tell me that it all just in my mind and get me do some useless excise or put me on some pills."
"What about your counsellor?"
"I haven't got an appointment for a while," Sonia answered.
"I'm sure she would understand if you go for an emergency appointment. I'm sure you wouldn't have been the first person to do that."
Sonia nodded.
"Come on," Gemma said. "Lets sober you up and we can take you home."
- - - - -
Kate Wilson was kidnapped nine months ago and it took two months for the Longtons to break her down. The Longtons forced her into sex slavery and indoctrinated her into their twisted ideology. She sometimes had to work in a borstal, sometimes on the street. She was forced to work at anytime the Longtons wanted and on some days she would have had to have sex with ten men a day. Any Longton member could do whatever they wanted with her and she had no right to refuse. The Longtons took all the money she made and only left her enough for food.
She had finished a shift at a massage parlour near the centre of the city when she headed towards a shop for food. She hated what she had become but could not resist any longer. In her mind they was no escape and felt that she would be left working as a whore until the day she died. But there was a lifeline at hand. A 27-year-old female wallaby walked towards her in the shop.
"Miss Wilson?" the wallaby asked.
"Yes," she answered.
"DC Long," the wallaby said, showing a badge. "I need you to come with me and answer some questions."
"Thank you," Kate said and hugged the officer.
"There There," DC Long said, "There There."
"Thank you," Kate muttered.
- - - - -
When Sonia arrived home at six PM she avoided her parents and headed straight for the bathroom. She locked the door behind her, started the shower and removed all her clothes except her two necklaces. When she went into the shower she put her hands against the wall, lowered her head and cried.