Scott stepped out of the car, pausing a moment to make sure he could no longer hear sirens. Kane followed suite, climbing from the car.
"What can I say... I'm impressed..."
Scott smirked at his brother. Kane avoided looking at him.
"Eh?"
"The driving... you've remembered what I taught you"
Kane frowned, ashamed of himself for enjoying the rush of adrenaline that had come with the race away from the police. Just like old times.
"Now what?"
"We can't hang about, can we?"
Scott strolled down the lonely street, briefly examining the few parked cars. It amazed him how few people had the sense to get a decent alarm system installed.
"So... which do you fancy?"
Kane didn't reply. Scott glanced at him scornfully, selecting a car for himself and glancing around to check the coast was clear.
"Go and stand on the corner... keep a lookout"
Kane walked away gratefully, glad that he didn't have to be involved. Out of the corner of his eye he watched Scott. Old times all over again. It was like turning the clock back. Only this time he wasn't enjoying himself. The first time they had done this he had been about ten. Scott had made a habit out of it. A few years down the line Scott and a few mates were doing it on a regular basis. One of them had been Thommo. He was the same as ever at the music festival. He and Scott had a lot in common.
A car rolls up beside him, knocking him out of his daydream.
"What are you waiting for?"
Kane opened the door and climbed into the passenger seat next to Scott.
"Where we headed?"
"Where-ever the road takes us... we're free!"
He laughed, satisfied about how things were panning out. He never thought he'd make it out of that prison, let alone back onto the road with his brother.
...........................
POLICE STATION
Dani returns inside, having called the caravan park to explain recent events to Jade, as Carter enters reception, accompanied by two uniformed officers.
"Miss Sutherland"
"Yeah... has something happened?"
"You mentioned having seen Scott Phillips earlier today"
"That's right"
"You didn't happen to see what he was driving did you?"
"No... not exactly... it was blue"
"Can you remember anything else?"
"Um... it was quite big... and it looked reasonably new..."
Dani shrugged, puzzled. She hadn't exactly been paying attention. She had more to worry about than cars. The three policemen exchange a glance and Carter nods towards them. They leave on his unspoken order. Rhys steps forward.
"What's going on?"
"Scott Phillips escaped from prison two days ago... we're just trying to track him down"
Dani sat down, shaken. She had wondered why the police had been so interested in Scott when she had her interview. Now she knew. She had climbed into the car with him. An escaped prisoner.
Another officer enters reception, addressing Carter.
"Sir"
They exchanged hushed words. Dani and Rhys share a worried glance. The officer leaves and Carter steps back towards them.
"I should probably inform you that Mr Josh West was found in a critical condition by two of our officers a short while ago... he's been taken into hospital"
Dani felt suddenly concerned. She didn't know why. It didn't quite make sense.
"Will he live?"
Carter tried to be sympathetic.
"I'm afraid that's all the information I have received at this time"
Silence. Rhys sits besides his daughter, attempting to comfort her. He wished Shelley was there. She would take control of the situation. She would know what to do.
"Have you found out anything about where Kirsty is?"
"Not yet although we are working on certain lines of enquiry... I'll keep you informed"
He started to walk away, towards the door.
"My daughter could be in danger and that's all you can tell us?"
Carter looked back as he exited.
"I'm sorry Mr Sutherland, but that's all the solid information I have"
...........................
Kane slumped down into the passenger seat, watching solemnly as the countryside flew past the window. Powerless. The journey was more or less silent. They had grown apart. They had used to have so much in common but now Kane felt like he was on another planet. They had different values. Different aims.
"Might stop in a minute... grab something to eat... haven't had a proper meal for ages"
"Right"
"Is that all you can say?"
Kane looked across at his brother, not replying.
"You haven't even thanked me for saving your skin back there"
"I had the situation under control"
"You ungrateful little..."
He raised a hand off the steering wheel and lifted it towards Kane as he tried vainly to distance himself.
"Watch it!"
Scott's eyes clapped back onto the road as he narrowly avoided careering down the embankment.
"Just wait till we get somewhere more private..."
Scott was sounding more and more like their Dad by the minute. The same tone of voice, even the same little threatening phrases. Their Dad had used to say that whenever they went out. If either of them were to 'show him up' or misbehave they'd hear about it later.
...........................
POLICE STATION
"We should probably get back home Dan - there's nothing more we can do here"
Rhys removed his arm from around his daughter.
"Yeah, you're right... Jade and max will be needing a bit of support"
"How did they react to knowing I was back?"
"Jade was... ok"
"She hates me, doesn't she?"
"She's just... annoyed... all this business with Mum... it hit her hard"
It had hit all of them hard. At least now Rhys would be able to take control. Dani was sick of playing Mum. She just hoped Jade would act maturely until the whole mess was over and they could sort everything out properly.
"You know if I could turn back the clock -"
Dani interrupted.
"I know Dad - I believe you... it's not me you should be telling"
She put her coat on as Rhys rose from his seat. Carter's arrival stopped them in their tracks.
"Leaving?"
"Yeah... just getting home... we needed a break"
"I just thought you'd like to know the latest"
"Go on"
"We discovered there was a lock-up garage in the city in the name of Jackie West... Josh's Mum... I had some officers check it out"
"And"
"We've found a body"
"Oh God... Kirsty"
Dani stared in disbelief, her mind numbed.
"All we know right now is that it's the body of a male..."
Relief swept through Rhys. For a moment he had expected the worst. The last time he had seen Kirsty they were on such bad terms. He had been refusing to let her see Kane. She had looked at him like he was some sort of ogre. He just wished he could have turned back time. Handled it all differently. All he could hope for now was a chance to put things right. And if the body turned out to be Kane... well he couldn't begin to imagine how Kirsty would cope. Part of him secretly wished it was. Maybe it would have been for the best. Kane would be out of their lives and he wouldn't be to blame.
Dani looked at her father, similar thoughts racing through her head. The possibility of Kane being gone forever. There was a time at which it would have been a dream come true. Now it was all too much information. A few hours ago she didn't even have a clue that Kane was playing any part in Kirsty's disappearance.
"...the body still has to be identified"
"And the cause of death?"
Rhys was desperate to know who they were contending with.
"A single bullet through the head"
Rhys sat down shakily. They had guns. They had his daughter. He couldn't bear to think about it. Dani was as white as a sheet.
...........................
Kane curled up on the back seat of the car, writhing in pain.
He had tried to defend himself against Scott, but he was the one with the gun. He was the one with all the power. They had pulled into a lay-by on the motorway and found a secluded spot before Scott had tried anything. He had contemplated running, but there was a lingering doubt in his mind that Scott would have no qualms about shooting him, brother or not. Besides, he would be no use to Kirsty if he wound up dead. He had tried to apologise to Scott, but Scott was having none of it. When he was younger his Dad had reacted the same. He used to think that maybe his Dad didn't hear the apology as he continued all the same, but now he knew only too well he was helpless against them. There was nothing he could say or do to make everything go away. He just had to tolerate it, like he had learnt to over the years.
So he had stayed put and prayed for Scott to go easy. Now they were parked on a street in the next town. Scott was only in the nearby shop, glancing frequently out of the window he couldn't exactly try and make a run for it. His right leg was in agony and he doubted he would be able to even walk, let alone run. He hadn't realised Scott had a knife until the last minute, when he felt it slicing down his leg. He had stemmed the blood flow with an old cloth he found on the back seat but he was in no state to try anything, and Scott knew it. It had been what he intended.
Afterwards Scott had apologised, saying it would never happen again so long as Kane showed him a bit more respect. How many times had he heard that? Almost every night of his life when he was younger, either from his Dad or Scott, sometimes from his Mum if it was one of the rare occasions she came home, usually drunk.
...........................
CARAVAN PARK
Dani entered the house and Jade and Max rushed across to her. She answered the question they were about to ask.
"There's... no more news about Kirsty"
Rhys entered cautiously, taking a deep breath.
"Uncle Rhys!"
Max threw his arms around him and a hostile look passed between Rhys and Jade.
"You're back then"
"Yeah... looks like it"
"For good?"
"We'll see... I'm going to get us all something to eat"
.................................
The door opened and Scott climbed into the car, glancing briefly at Kane in the back.
"I did warn you"
Kane avoided looking at him. He contemplated suggesting that they stop off at the hospital. Even a couple of painkillers would help out. His eye was already swollen and he knew he'd be covered in bruises come the following morning. But he couldn't ask yet. He had to wait until Scott was in a better mood.
"Here"
He tossed a small package of food into the back of the car, followed by a bottle of juice.
"Ta"
He tried to avert his mind from his current situation, closing his eyes, trying to imagine he was back with Kirsty. That this was all a terrible nightmare. Where was she? Would he ever see her again?
.................................
Kirsty strained to try and make out if someone else was in the room. She could swear she was hearing noises, but her blindfold prevented her finding out what they were. She had been driven by Dennis to some sort of lock up where they had met up with Josh. Dennis had left to find Kane and Josh had driven her to where she was at the minute. She didn't know exactly where, only that she had been cramped in the boot of a car for nearly quarter of an hour. Josh had tied her up and gagged her before leaving. All he had told her was that so long as Kane did as he was told she would be fine. She just wanted him there. Why wasn't he? Why hadn't he come as soon as he had heard she was in trouble? Was it because of the argument? Had she been right all along about the other woman? She couldn't bear all this not knowing. All the secrets. She didn't even know whether she'd live to find out the answers to the questions that had been shooting around her head.
"What can I say... I'm impressed..."
Scott smirked at his brother. Kane avoided looking at him.
"Eh?"
"The driving... you've remembered what I taught you"
Kane frowned, ashamed of himself for enjoying the rush of adrenaline that had come with the race away from the police. Just like old times.
"Now what?"
"We can't hang about, can we?"
Scott strolled down the lonely street, briefly examining the few parked cars. It amazed him how few people had the sense to get a decent alarm system installed.
"So... which do you fancy?"
Kane didn't reply. Scott glanced at him scornfully, selecting a car for himself and glancing around to check the coast was clear.
"Go and stand on the corner... keep a lookout"
Kane walked away gratefully, glad that he didn't have to be involved. Out of the corner of his eye he watched Scott. Old times all over again. It was like turning the clock back. Only this time he wasn't enjoying himself. The first time they had done this he had been about ten. Scott had made a habit out of it. A few years down the line Scott and a few mates were doing it on a regular basis. One of them had been Thommo. He was the same as ever at the music festival. He and Scott had a lot in common.
A car rolls up beside him, knocking him out of his daydream.
"What are you waiting for?"
Kane opened the door and climbed into the passenger seat next to Scott.
"Where we headed?"
"Where-ever the road takes us... we're free!"
He laughed, satisfied about how things were panning out. He never thought he'd make it out of that prison, let alone back onto the road with his brother.
...........................
POLICE STATION
Dani returns inside, having called the caravan park to explain recent events to Jade, as Carter enters reception, accompanied by two uniformed officers.
"Miss Sutherland"
"Yeah... has something happened?"
"You mentioned having seen Scott Phillips earlier today"
"That's right"
"You didn't happen to see what he was driving did you?"
"No... not exactly... it was blue"
"Can you remember anything else?"
"Um... it was quite big... and it looked reasonably new..."
Dani shrugged, puzzled. She hadn't exactly been paying attention. She had more to worry about than cars. The three policemen exchange a glance and Carter nods towards them. They leave on his unspoken order. Rhys steps forward.
"What's going on?"
"Scott Phillips escaped from prison two days ago... we're just trying to track him down"
Dani sat down, shaken. She had wondered why the police had been so interested in Scott when she had her interview. Now she knew. She had climbed into the car with him. An escaped prisoner.
Another officer enters reception, addressing Carter.
"Sir"
They exchanged hushed words. Dani and Rhys share a worried glance. The officer leaves and Carter steps back towards them.
"I should probably inform you that Mr Josh West was found in a critical condition by two of our officers a short while ago... he's been taken into hospital"
Dani felt suddenly concerned. She didn't know why. It didn't quite make sense.
"Will he live?"
Carter tried to be sympathetic.
"I'm afraid that's all the information I have received at this time"
Silence. Rhys sits besides his daughter, attempting to comfort her. He wished Shelley was there. She would take control of the situation. She would know what to do.
"Have you found out anything about where Kirsty is?"
"Not yet although we are working on certain lines of enquiry... I'll keep you informed"
He started to walk away, towards the door.
"My daughter could be in danger and that's all you can tell us?"
Carter looked back as he exited.
"I'm sorry Mr Sutherland, but that's all the solid information I have"
...........................
Kane slumped down into the passenger seat, watching solemnly as the countryside flew past the window. Powerless. The journey was more or less silent. They had grown apart. They had used to have so much in common but now Kane felt like he was on another planet. They had different values. Different aims.
"Might stop in a minute... grab something to eat... haven't had a proper meal for ages"
"Right"
"Is that all you can say?"
Kane looked across at his brother, not replying.
"You haven't even thanked me for saving your skin back there"
"I had the situation under control"
"You ungrateful little..."
He raised a hand off the steering wheel and lifted it towards Kane as he tried vainly to distance himself.
"Watch it!"
Scott's eyes clapped back onto the road as he narrowly avoided careering down the embankment.
"Just wait till we get somewhere more private..."
Scott was sounding more and more like their Dad by the minute. The same tone of voice, even the same little threatening phrases. Their Dad had used to say that whenever they went out. If either of them were to 'show him up' or misbehave they'd hear about it later.
...........................
POLICE STATION
"We should probably get back home Dan - there's nothing more we can do here"
Rhys removed his arm from around his daughter.
"Yeah, you're right... Jade and max will be needing a bit of support"
"How did they react to knowing I was back?"
"Jade was... ok"
"She hates me, doesn't she?"
"She's just... annoyed... all this business with Mum... it hit her hard"
It had hit all of them hard. At least now Rhys would be able to take control. Dani was sick of playing Mum. She just hoped Jade would act maturely until the whole mess was over and they could sort everything out properly.
"You know if I could turn back the clock -"
Dani interrupted.
"I know Dad - I believe you... it's not me you should be telling"
She put her coat on as Rhys rose from his seat. Carter's arrival stopped them in their tracks.
"Leaving?"
"Yeah... just getting home... we needed a break"
"I just thought you'd like to know the latest"
"Go on"
"We discovered there was a lock-up garage in the city in the name of Jackie West... Josh's Mum... I had some officers check it out"
"And"
"We've found a body"
"Oh God... Kirsty"
Dani stared in disbelief, her mind numbed.
"All we know right now is that it's the body of a male..."
Relief swept through Rhys. For a moment he had expected the worst. The last time he had seen Kirsty they were on such bad terms. He had been refusing to let her see Kane. She had looked at him like he was some sort of ogre. He just wished he could have turned back time. Handled it all differently. All he could hope for now was a chance to put things right. And if the body turned out to be Kane... well he couldn't begin to imagine how Kirsty would cope. Part of him secretly wished it was. Maybe it would have been for the best. Kane would be out of their lives and he wouldn't be to blame.
Dani looked at her father, similar thoughts racing through her head. The possibility of Kane being gone forever. There was a time at which it would have been a dream come true. Now it was all too much information. A few hours ago she didn't even have a clue that Kane was playing any part in Kirsty's disappearance.
"...the body still has to be identified"
"And the cause of death?"
Rhys was desperate to know who they were contending with.
"A single bullet through the head"
Rhys sat down shakily. They had guns. They had his daughter. He couldn't bear to think about it. Dani was as white as a sheet.
...........................
Kane curled up on the back seat of the car, writhing in pain.
He had tried to defend himself against Scott, but he was the one with the gun. He was the one with all the power. They had pulled into a lay-by on the motorway and found a secluded spot before Scott had tried anything. He had contemplated running, but there was a lingering doubt in his mind that Scott would have no qualms about shooting him, brother or not. Besides, he would be no use to Kirsty if he wound up dead. He had tried to apologise to Scott, but Scott was having none of it. When he was younger his Dad had reacted the same. He used to think that maybe his Dad didn't hear the apology as he continued all the same, but now he knew only too well he was helpless against them. There was nothing he could say or do to make everything go away. He just had to tolerate it, like he had learnt to over the years.
So he had stayed put and prayed for Scott to go easy. Now they were parked on a street in the next town. Scott was only in the nearby shop, glancing frequently out of the window he couldn't exactly try and make a run for it. His right leg was in agony and he doubted he would be able to even walk, let alone run. He hadn't realised Scott had a knife until the last minute, when he felt it slicing down his leg. He had stemmed the blood flow with an old cloth he found on the back seat but he was in no state to try anything, and Scott knew it. It had been what he intended.
Afterwards Scott had apologised, saying it would never happen again so long as Kane showed him a bit more respect. How many times had he heard that? Almost every night of his life when he was younger, either from his Dad or Scott, sometimes from his Mum if it was one of the rare occasions she came home, usually drunk.
...........................
CARAVAN PARK
Dani entered the house and Jade and Max rushed across to her. She answered the question they were about to ask.
"There's... no more news about Kirsty"
Rhys entered cautiously, taking a deep breath.
"Uncle Rhys!"
Max threw his arms around him and a hostile look passed between Rhys and Jade.
"You're back then"
"Yeah... looks like it"
"For good?"
"We'll see... I'm going to get us all something to eat"
.................................
The door opened and Scott climbed into the car, glancing briefly at Kane in the back.
"I did warn you"
Kane avoided looking at him. He contemplated suggesting that they stop off at the hospital. Even a couple of painkillers would help out. His eye was already swollen and he knew he'd be covered in bruises come the following morning. But he couldn't ask yet. He had to wait until Scott was in a better mood.
"Here"
He tossed a small package of food into the back of the car, followed by a bottle of juice.
"Ta"
He tried to avert his mind from his current situation, closing his eyes, trying to imagine he was back with Kirsty. That this was all a terrible nightmare. Where was she? Would he ever see her again?
.................................
Kirsty strained to try and make out if someone else was in the room. She could swear she was hearing noises, but her blindfold prevented her finding out what they were. She had been driven by Dennis to some sort of lock up where they had met up with Josh. Dennis had left to find Kane and Josh had driven her to where she was at the minute. She didn't know exactly where, only that she had been cramped in the boot of a car for nearly quarter of an hour. Josh had tied her up and gagged her before leaving. All he had told her was that so long as Kane did as he was told she would be fine. She just wanted him there. Why wasn't he? Why hadn't he come as soon as he had heard she was in trouble? Was it because of the argument? Had she been right all along about the other woman? She couldn't bear all this not knowing. All the secrets. She didn't even know whether she'd live to find out the answers to the questions that had been shooting around her head.
