Josh reached the empty kitchen seconds too late. The door stood wide open and he bolted towards it, stepping outside, looking frantically around, unable to see anyone. Panicking, he rushed back inside, preparing to make a getaway. Someone was aware of what was going on and he couldn't stick around.
.................................
It was starting to rain, getting heavier and heavier as Dani made her way home. A car was slowing down beside her and she sped up, praying it wasn't Josh. Needing to get home. Her Dad would know what to do
"Need a lift?"
It wasn't Josh's voice. She didn't recognise it. She glanced nervously inside. A brief recognition passed between the pair.
"Dani Sutherland... right"
She nodded anxiously and tried to walk quicker. She knew who it was now. Scott Phillips. He accelerated, catching up with her again.
"I heard about Kane and your sister"
Dani refused to look at him.
"And?"
"Well, we're almost family, aren't we?"
Dani felt ill just thinking about it. She continued walking, his car still moving beside her.
"I'm looking for my brother - do you know where I can find him?"
Dani stops reluctantly, looking into the window. He deserved to know what was going on. After all, he was Kane's brother.
"There's been a bit of trouble"
Scott looked at her curiously.
"Go on"
Scott leans over and opens the passenger door. Dani reluctantly climbs in. She couldn't bear standing there in the rain any longer and it was a long story. Scott didn't seem to be at all aggressive now. Just determined to find out what was going on.
Dani sat awkwardly in the passenger seat, shakily telling him what she knew. He listened thoughtfully until she finally finished, growing increasingly determined to sort it out.
"So where's this... Josh... now"
"I left him at the Palace"
Scott started up the car.
"What are you doing?"
Dani was panicking now. As the car lurched into movement she couldn't help but feel she could no longer escape. Wishing she'd never climbed into the car in the first place. She didn't trust him at all. He had a reputation that was possibly worse than Kane's, the difference being Scott had never touched her.
"I'm going to find my brother"
He knew he and Kane hadn't exactly been on the best of terms since he was sent down but the one thing he refused to tolerate was his family being made to look weak. He and Kane had always supported each other, whatever the situation. They had always been a team. That was never going to change. He swung his car around to go back the way they had come.
"How?"
Dani was panicking more now. Trying to remain calm.
"I'm going to pay Josh West a visit... and by the time I've finished with him he'll be sorry he ever crossed paths with my family"
"You can't!"
She had seen Josh for what he really was, but deep down she knew she still loved him. She couldn't understand why but the feelings were still there. She couldn't just sit back and watch him get hurt. Besides, she had never agreed with using violence to sort things out.
"Stop the car!"
Scott glanced across at her, ignoring her pleas.
"I said stop!"
Dani reached over and grabbed hold of the wheel. Scott stepped on the brake, an automatic reaction and the car screeched to a halt.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
Scott glared threateningly at her, his temper getting the better of him, further unnerving Dani.
"I just want to find my sister... I don't want anyone to get hurt"
"Stop living in cloud cuckoo land! Do you really think these guys are going to let them go if we ask them nicely?!"
Dani opened the car door and stepped hurriedly out.
"Where are you going?"
"Home"
"Fine... I'll sort this by myself shall I?"
He started up the car again, heading in the direction of the Palace. Dani started to run in the direction of the caravan park, relieved to finally be out of the car.
.................................
Dennis strode back and forth across the room anxiously. He'd had a call not long ago from Josh. Something had gone wrong. That was all he knew. Josh hadn't revealed much. He had just instructed him to stay where he was. For all Dennis knew the police could be on their way right now. Kane was slumped in a corner, looking up at him.
"So what are you getting out of all this?"
Dennis swings around to face him
"What?"
"You're risking prison for Josh - he must be offering you something pretty big"
"That's none of your business"
"Josh is just messing you around you know... he's like that..."
Dennis doesn't reply. He just gives Kane a warning glare.
"What assurances do you have that he won't grass you up?"
Dennis looks awkwardly around, still not replying. He doesn't have a reply. His connection with Jackie was the only insurance he thought he needed. Josh surely wouldn't be as selfish as to cross his own mother.
"And what does Josh want with me anyway?"
"Just a favour - and if you play nicely you'll see Kirsty again"
"It's not going to be that simple. What else has he got planned?"
"Do yourself a favour and be quiet"
"Do you even know what's going on? Or are you just playing along with his games as well?"
Dennis was getting increasingly agitated.
"I said shut up!"
He pulled out his gun again, waving it shakily at Kane. Kane debated whether or not to risk overpowering him. Would Dennis actually pull the trigger? He was a criminal, but he didn't look like a killer. He looked like the type who recruited others to do his dirty work. The suit seemed to indicate that he was no thug. But it was too big a risk. Kane looked at the barrel of the gun, deciding to obey Dennis and sat in silence.
.................................
CARAVAN
Dani knocks desperately at the door and Rhys opens it almost immediately.
"Kirsty... she's in trouble"
Dani was breathless. She'd run all the way back, helplessly. Worrying about her sister. The moment she'd heard about Kirsty's relationship with Kane she had been overcome with a combination of love and hate. She couldn't make sense of her feelings. All that mattered was getting Kirsty back. The rest could be sorted out later.
"I heard Josh on the phone and there was something going on... I don't know what to do"
Dani was no longer aware of the tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Josh has something to do with Kirsty going missing?"
Rhys looked at her in amazement. Disbelief. It made virtually no sense at all. What would Josh want with Kirsty?
"You knew Kirsty was in trouble?"
Rhys lowered his voice, ashamedly.
"Kane told me she'd gone missing..."
Rhys looked at her worriedly, not sure how she'd take the information. Dani tried to suppress her feelings.
"I got the impression they've got Kane too"
Rhys nodded. It explained why Kane hadn't answered his mobile. Whatever was going on it all centred around Kane. Trouble seemed to follow him around.
"Right"
He grabbed his coat and his car keys.
"Where are we going?"
"To the police station"
Rhys stepped out of the van and closed the door, turning his key in the lock.
"There's something else..."
Rhys turned to his daughter
"...Scott Phillips is in town"
Rhys paused, debating whether or not it was a good thing. He knew Scott was trouble but he was Kane's brother. He could either be an enemy or a useful ally.
"Where is he?"
"I sort of told him what was going on... after all Kane's his brother... he said he was going to see Josh"
Rhys nodded, deep down hoping that Scott would get things sorted before the situation got any worse. If it could get any worse.
"Let's just get the police involved... they'll sort it all out"
Dani didn't have faith in the justice system. Not after Kane was found not guilty. Scott's words rang through her head. Maybe he was right. Maybe using a soft approach wouldn't help.
.................................
THE PALACE
Scott hammers on the door. Josh is inside, packing a case, unwilling to risk being caught. He couldn't survive prison. There was only one solution and that was to do a runner before anyone caught up with him. And if it meant breaking his agreement with Dennis and letting him take the rap then that was how it had to be. He could deal with Kane another time. Once he was safely abroad he could make new arrangements. Kane was never going to get away with what he had done to Dani. The knocking was making Josh nervous. He zipped up his case and hauled it into the hallway, intending to make his escape out the back of the house. A crash followed the banging at the door and as he heard footsteps ascending the stairs he backed into Noah's room, crouching behind the door. He grabbed hold of a nearby baseball bat, preparing to fight his own battle for a change. He could no longer hear footsteps but he was aware of the closeness of the figure outside. The door opened slowly. Josh raised the bat above his head, ready to strike. A tussle followed as Josh lunged forward seconds too early and was caught by surprise as Scott pinned him up against the wall.
"Not disturbing you am I?"
His eyes glistened threateningly. Josh could feel himself shaking in fear at the intruder. Part of him was relieved it wasn't the police.
"Who are you... what do you want?"
"I want to know what you've done to my brother"
Josh knew instantly who he was talking to. He'd heard all the stories about Scott Phillips.
"I don't know what you're talking about"
"I think you do"
Josh shook his head. Scott's fist flew into his face and he screamed in agony.
"Are you sure about that?"
Scott's face was inches from his. Josh could smell the stale aftershave. See the beads of sweat on his forehead.
"I haven't done anything!"
Scott's knee crashed upwards and Josh doubled over in pain. Another punch from Scott left him sprawled across the floor. He lifted his head to speak.
"You won't get away with this!"
Scott's boot dug into his ribs and he cried out again, teeth clenched, seething in pain.
"One last chance"
Josh was silent for a moment, debating his answer. The silence earned him another kick. Josh's voice was strained now. Weak and Pathetic.
"Get off me! Alright, I'll tell you"
He swallowed, coughing hoarsely, finally defeated. He could taste blood. Scott pulled back, kneeling down beside the crumpled figure, mouth inches from Josh's ear, lowering is voice.
"Well?"
No reply. Josh wasn't moving now. Scott shook him.
"You don't get out of it that easily"
Still no reply. Josh wasn't breathing. His pulse was weak. Scott backed towards the door, taking out his phone, debating whether or not to call for help.
.................................
It was starting to rain, getting heavier and heavier as Dani made her way home. A car was slowing down beside her and she sped up, praying it wasn't Josh. Needing to get home. Her Dad would know what to do
"Need a lift?"
It wasn't Josh's voice. She didn't recognise it. She glanced nervously inside. A brief recognition passed between the pair.
"Dani Sutherland... right"
She nodded anxiously and tried to walk quicker. She knew who it was now. Scott Phillips. He accelerated, catching up with her again.
"I heard about Kane and your sister"
Dani refused to look at him.
"And?"
"Well, we're almost family, aren't we?"
Dani felt ill just thinking about it. She continued walking, his car still moving beside her.
"I'm looking for my brother - do you know where I can find him?"
Dani stops reluctantly, looking into the window. He deserved to know what was going on. After all, he was Kane's brother.
"There's been a bit of trouble"
Scott looked at her curiously.
"Go on"
Scott leans over and opens the passenger door. Dani reluctantly climbs in. She couldn't bear standing there in the rain any longer and it was a long story. Scott didn't seem to be at all aggressive now. Just determined to find out what was going on.
Dani sat awkwardly in the passenger seat, shakily telling him what she knew. He listened thoughtfully until she finally finished, growing increasingly determined to sort it out.
"So where's this... Josh... now"
"I left him at the Palace"
Scott started up the car.
"What are you doing?"
Dani was panicking now. As the car lurched into movement she couldn't help but feel she could no longer escape. Wishing she'd never climbed into the car in the first place. She didn't trust him at all. He had a reputation that was possibly worse than Kane's, the difference being Scott had never touched her.
"I'm going to find my brother"
He knew he and Kane hadn't exactly been on the best of terms since he was sent down but the one thing he refused to tolerate was his family being made to look weak. He and Kane had always supported each other, whatever the situation. They had always been a team. That was never going to change. He swung his car around to go back the way they had come.
"How?"
Dani was panicking more now. Trying to remain calm.
"I'm going to pay Josh West a visit... and by the time I've finished with him he'll be sorry he ever crossed paths with my family"
"You can't!"
She had seen Josh for what he really was, but deep down she knew she still loved him. She couldn't understand why but the feelings were still there. She couldn't just sit back and watch him get hurt. Besides, she had never agreed with using violence to sort things out.
"Stop the car!"
Scott glanced across at her, ignoring her pleas.
"I said stop!"
Dani reached over and grabbed hold of the wheel. Scott stepped on the brake, an automatic reaction and the car screeched to a halt.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
Scott glared threateningly at her, his temper getting the better of him, further unnerving Dani.
"I just want to find my sister... I don't want anyone to get hurt"
"Stop living in cloud cuckoo land! Do you really think these guys are going to let them go if we ask them nicely?!"
Dani opened the car door and stepped hurriedly out.
"Where are you going?"
"Home"
"Fine... I'll sort this by myself shall I?"
He started up the car again, heading in the direction of the Palace. Dani started to run in the direction of the caravan park, relieved to finally be out of the car.
.................................
Dennis strode back and forth across the room anxiously. He'd had a call not long ago from Josh. Something had gone wrong. That was all he knew. Josh hadn't revealed much. He had just instructed him to stay where he was. For all Dennis knew the police could be on their way right now. Kane was slumped in a corner, looking up at him.
"So what are you getting out of all this?"
Dennis swings around to face him
"What?"
"You're risking prison for Josh - he must be offering you something pretty big"
"That's none of your business"
"Josh is just messing you around you know... he's like that..."
Dennis doesn't reply. He just gives Kane a warning glare.
"What assurances do you have that he won't grass you up?"
Dennis looks awkwardly around, still not replying. He doesn't have a reply. His connection with Jackie was the only insurance he thought he needed. Josh surely wouldn't be as selfish as to cross his own mother.
"And what does Josh want with me anyway?"
"Just a favour - and if you play nicely you'll see Kirsty again"
"It's not going to be that simple. What else has he got planned?"
"Do yourself a favour and be quiet"
"Do you even know what's going on? Or are you just playing along with his games as well?"
Dennis was getting increasingly agitated.
"I said shut up!"
He pulled out his gun again, waving it shakily at Kane. Kane debated whether or not to risk overpowering him. Would Dennis actually pull the trigger? He was a criminal, but he didn't look like a killer. He looked like the type who recruited others to do his dirty work. The suit seemed to indicate that he was no thug. But it was too big a risk. Kane looked at the barrel of the gun, deciding to obey Dennis and sat in silence.
.................................
CARAVAN
Dani knocks desperately at the door and Rhys opens it almost immediately.
"Kirsty... she's in trouble"
Dani was breathless. She'd run all the way back, helplessly. Worrying about her sister. The moment she'd heard about Kirsty's relationship with Kane she had been overcome with a combination of love and hate. She couldn't make sense of her feelings. All that mattered was getting Kirsty back. The rest could be sorted out later.
"I heard Josh on the phone and there was something going on... I don't know what to do"
Dani was no longer aware of the tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Josh has something to do with Kirsty going missing?"
Rhys looked at her in amazement. Disbelief. It made virtually no sense at all. What would Josh want with Kirsty?
"You knew Kirsty was in trouble?"
Rhys lowered his voice, ashamedly.
"Kane told me she'd gone missing..."
Rhys looked at her worriedly, not sure how she'd take the information. Dani tried to suppress her feelings.
"I got the impression they've got Kane too"
Rhys nodded. It explained why Kane hadn't answered his mobile. Whatever was going on it all centred around Kane. Trouble seemed to follow him around.
"Right"
He grabbed his coat and his car keys.
"Where are we going?"
"To the police station"
Rhys stepped out of the van and closed the door, turning his key in the lock.
"There's something else..."
Rhys turned to his daughter
"...Scott Phillips is in town"
Rhys paused, debating whether or not it was a good thing. He knew Scott was trouble but he was Kane's brother. He could either be an enemy or a useful ally.
"Where is he?"
"I sort of told him what was going on... after all Kane's his brother... he said he was going to see Josh"
Rhys nodded, deep down hoping that Scott would get things sorted before the situation got any worse. If it could get any worse.
"Let's just get the police involved... they'll sort it all out"
Dani didn't have faith in the justice system. Not after Kane was found not guilty. Scott's words rang through her head. Maybe he was right. Maybe using a soft approach wouldn't help.
.................................
THE PALACE
Scott hammers on the door. Josh is inside, packing a case, unwilling to risk being caught. He couldn't survive prison. There was only one solution and that was to do a runner before anyone caught up with him. And if it meant breaking his agreement with Dennis and letting him take the rap then that was how it had to be. He could deal with Kane another time. Once he was safely abroad he could make new arrangements. Kane was never going to get away with what he had done to Dani. The knocking was making Josh nervous. He zipped up his case and hauled it into the hallway, intending to make his escape out the back of the house. A crash followed the banging at the door and as he heard footsteps ascending the stairs he backed into Noah's room, crouching behind the door. He grabbed hold of a nearby baseball bat, preparing to fight his own battle for a change. He could no longer hear footsteps but he was aware of the closeness of the figure outside. The door opened slowly. Josh raised the bat above his head, ready to strike. A tussle followed as Josh lunged forward seconds too early and was caught by surprise as Scott pinned him up against the wall.
"Not disturbing you am I?"
His eyes glistened threateningly. Josh could feel himself shaking in fear at the intruder. Part of him was relieved it wasn't the police.
"Who are you... what do you want?"
"I want to know what you've done to my brother"
Josh knew instantly who he was talking to. He'd heard all the stories about Scott Phillips.
"I don't know what you're talking about"
"I think you do"
Josh shook his head. Scott's fist flew into his face and he screamed in agony.
"Are you sure about that?"
Scott's face was inches from his. Josh could smell the stale aftershave. See the beads of sweat on his forehead.
"I haven't done anything!"
Scott's knee crashed upwards and Josh doubled over in pain. Another punch from Scott left him sprawled across the floor. He lifted his head to speak.
"You won't get away with this!"
Scott's boot dug into his ribs and he cried out again, teeth clenched, seething in pain.
"One last chance"
Josh was silent for a moment, debating his answer. The silence earned him another kick. Josh's voice was strained now. Weak and Pathetic.
"Get off me! Alright, I'll tell you"
He swallowed, coughing hoarsely, finally defeated. He could taste blood. Scott pulled back, kneeling down beside the crumpled figure, mouth inches from Josh's ear, lowering is voice.
"Well?"
No reply. Josh wasn't moving now. Scott shook him.
"You don't get out of it that easily"
Still no reply. Josh wasn't breathing. His pulse was weak. Scott backed towards the door, taking out his phone, debating whether or not to call for help.
