"It's getting late"
Kane glanced into the mirror, making brief eye contact with his brother, trying to make the hint subtle.
"I hadn't noticed"
Scott's eyes were still fixated on the road. He wanted to get as far as possible. The police would be looking all over for him. Not just the police. He had a lot of enemies who were out for revenge for things in the past. He was free, but he knew he wasn't safe. Not by a long shot.
"We should probably stop soon"
Every second they spent on the road they were getting further away. Further up the country. Away from everything that mattered to him.
"I decide where and when to stop"
Kane cleared his throat.
"Scott... um... I was wondering if we could maybe stop somewhere to get some painkillers... my leg's still pretty bad"
Pretty bad was an understatement. It was agony. He had managed to stop the bleeding but he couldn't move his leg. If he even tried to the pain got worse.
"Awww, does it hurt?"
Scott smirked
"...Didn't think you were such a wimp"
Kane remained silent. When he was younger that sort of comment had used to crush him. He couldn't shed a tear if he hurt himself or Scott would make him feel worthless. He had just been expected to get on with it without a fuss. Now he was stronger, more able to put up with Scott's cruel remarks. His self-confidence had been boosted through the months he had spent with Kirsty. Scott glanced back at him thoughtfully.
"There's a 24-hour pharmacy in the next town... we'll get something there"
Kane was blown away by this gesture. Scott was actually listening to him. There was a first time for everything.
"Ta"
Kane half-expected Scott to come out with another comment, but he remained silent, thinking. Building a mental plan concerning the next few days.
"So.... You haven't told me how you managed to get into all this trouble with Dennis yet"
"It's a long story"
"We've got all the time in the world"
..........................................
CARAVAN
Rhys stared out at the house as the final light went out at the caravan park. The tension over family dinner had been almost unbearable, although with only four of them remaining it wasn't really a family. Max had been asking questions left, right and centre, Jade was completely blanking him, Dani was still coming to terms with the news about Kane and they were all in a state over Kirsty and Shelley. He had decided it would be best for him to remain in the van until things settled down and Max had been the only one to offer any sort of argument. He had been trying to get to sleep for the past hour with no success.
..........................................
Kane's eyes snapped open as the car jerked and Scott muttered something indecipherable beneath his breath. It had to be one of the worst nights of his life. Every slight movement Scott made in his sleep woke him. He was too exhausted to even think of trying to make an escape. The pain all over his body had subsided following a dosage of strong painkillers but he still felt too crook to even think about making a getaway. It would have been too risky even if he had been in full health. No, it would be safer to keep Scott sweet. He lay back down on the back seat, shutting his eyes. If he tried hard enough he could just about imagine he was back with Kirsty on that night they spent in the back of his car. He missed her like crazy.
..........................................
CARAVAN PARK
Morning
Rhys enters through the back as Jade switches the kettle on.
"Morning"
Jade glances towards him, not replying.
"Sleep alright?"
She shrugged
"Why don't I make us all some breakfast - tell you what, I'll do us all some pancakes, just like the old - "
"You walked out on us Dad! Don't think you can just walk back in here and pretend nothing's changed"
Rhys nodded ashamedly, walking out of the kitchen as Carter knocked on the door.
"Inspector Carter... come in... is there any more news?"
"We've ID-ed the body we found at the garage"
"Right"
"Do you know a Mr Dennis Marshall?"
So it wasn't Kane. Rhys frowned.
"Never heard of him"
He glances towards Dani, who shakes her head
"Me neither"
"So who is he?"
"We've pulled him in a few times in the past ten years... could never get anything solid on him - he was too clever... most of it was drugs-related..."
"So why the hell did he take my daughter?"
Carter ignored the question, continuing.
"We also found out that he has some sort of relationship going with Mrs Jackie West... so it makes sense that he and Josh are in it together... some sort of arrangement that we haven't established just yet"
He paused, flicking through his notebook
"We've also found out that Dennis' mother, Sylvia, is the owner of the B&B where your daughter and Mr Phillips were staying... we've got a search warrant to go over that place with a fine-tooth comb"
"But you still don't know where Kirsty is?"
Carter shook his head glumly, snapping shut the notebook.
"However, we do know that the gun used to kill Mr Dennis Marshall was the same that was used in Scott Phillip's escape earlier this week... I'll keep you informed"
..........................................
CAR
Kane watches through the car window as Scott tips half a bottle of water over his head to wake himself up, before smoothing down his hair. He took a glance around the open countryside, before returning to the car.
"We should get another few hundred miles done today"
"Where are we headed?"
"Queensland - town called Mackay... Dad has a cousin there or something who owns a boatyard"
"Alfie?"
"That's him... we just need to get out of the country and I'm safe"
"Nah, Alfie's straight... there's no way he's gonna help you"
Scott shook his head, smirking.
"He might need some light persuasion..."
He gently patted his waistband, making reference to the gun that was still safely tucked away.
"...I've heard he's got a wife and a couple of kids... wouldn't want anything to happen to them..."
He smiled to himself as Kane looked nervously at him.
"...trust me, we'll be fine..."
He climbed back into the drivers seat, before glancing back at Kane.
"Are you staying in the back or what?"
"Well, my leg's still a bit crook..."
He hesitated thoughtfully. It was best not to make a fuss. He opened the door and hauled himself out, using the top of the car as a support. A night in the back of that car and his bones were aching like hell. He manoeuvred himself into the front, slamming the door shut behind him. He glanced into the mirror, frowning at his battered appearance.
"Reckon we should probably swap motors somewhere as well... just so we don't get tracked down... last thing we need is the cops on our back again"
.................................
Carter entered the station, immediately greeted by another man in a suit.
"Sir?"
"Hmm?"
"The team have searched the Bed and Breakfast from top to bottom - nothing that connects Sylvia Marshall to any of this... she's clean"
"And is she saying anything"
"She's hardly in a state to answer questions... her son's just been killed"
"Of course... keep me updated... "
.................................
HOSPITAL
Dani approaches Josh's bedside hesitantly. She wasn't sure why she had come. Josh was still out of it, and even the doctors were expecting the worst. But he was the missing link. The one person that could tie it all together. What exactly was going on. However much she despised him for what he had done she willed him to get better. Either Carter was right and Scott Phillip's had got hold of her with Kane, or she was somewhere else, and only Josh would know where that was. Or who she was with.
.................................
Scott climbed out of the car and looked up at the medium-sized, semi-detached house.
"This is it - number ten"
They'd done some asking around to find out the right address for the Jameson family and had managed to get the exact address. Kane climbed out of the car. His leg was still giving him trouble, not to mention the rest of his bruised body, and he limped around to Scott's side.
"Can I help you?"
A man approached along the pavement, carrying a couple of bulging shopping bags. Scott grinned at the approaching figure.
"Alfie! How are you doing?"
A puzzled look passed over the mans face, before he turned as white as a sheet.
"You're Richie's kid... Scott?"
Kane could see Alfie was terrified. Who wouldn't be?
"Yeah, I haven't seen you in ages!"
"I don't think you being here's a good idea... what with your current... situation"
He'd heard all about the recent jailbreak. He hadn't thought for one minute Scott would rock up on his doorstep though.
"Shouldn't let a few cops come between the family... are you gonna let us in... it's freezing out here"
Alfie was too petrified to refuse. He'd heard stories, in particular about the guard shot dead when Scott managed to escape. He wasn't one for taking risks. Reluctantly he unlocked and opened the door, vowing to talk them out of staying.
Scott stepped inside, walking straight into the living room as if the house was his own. Kane entered hesitantly, stopping to wipe his feet hastily on the doormat. Scott picked up a picture off the mantelpiece.
"Your kids?"
Alfie nodded regretfully. The last thing he wanted to do was expose his family to one of Richie's kids. He'd long ago cut ties with the family.
"Yeah... Kylie and Joseph"
"Nice little family you have here"
"Look, my wife will be back any minute... if it's money you want I can get you any amount"
Kane noted the mans desperation and just felt ashamed of Scott.
"I'm sure your wife - Sandra is it? - won't mind us sticking around for a while"
Almost on cue, the front door opened and kids voices floated in, followed by that of an older woman.
"Tell your Dad I'll be in in a minute!"
Two children charged through into the living room, stopping dead as they saw Scott. He was grinning at them but he still looked daunting.
"You must be Kylie and Joe"
"Kids, could you go to your room, Daddy's busy and - "
Scott interrupted, coming between Alfie and the children, bending down, the same grin fixed onto his face.
"I'm your Uncle Scott"
Kane glanced into the mirror, making brief eye contact with his brother, trying to make the hint subtle.
"I hadn't noticed"
Scott's eyes were still fixated on the road. He wanted to get as far as possible. The police would be looking all over for him. Not just the police. He had a lot of enemies who were out for revenge for things in the past. He was free, but he knew he wasn't safe. Not by a long shot.
"We should probably stop soon"
Every second they spent on the road they were getting further away. Further up the country. Away from everything that mattered to him.
"I decide where and when to stop"
Kane cleared his throat.
"Scott... um... I was wondering if we could maybe stop somewhere to get some painkillers... my leg's still pretty bad"
Pretty bad was an understatement. It was agony. He had managed to stop the bleeding but he couldn't move his leg. If he even tried to the pain got worse.
"Awww, does it hurt?"
Scott smirked
"...Didn't think you were such a wimp"
Kane remained silent. When he was younger that sort of comment had used to crush him. He couldn't shed a tear if he hurt himself or Scott would make him feel worthless. He had just been expected to get on with it without a fuss. Now he was stronger, more able to put up with Scott's cruel remarks. His self-confidence had been boosted through the months he had spent with Kirsty. Scott glanced back at him thoughtfully.
"There's a 24-hour pharmacy in the next town... we'll get something there"
Kane was blown away by this gesture. Scott was actually listening to him. There was a first time for everything.
"Ta"
Kane half-expected Scott to come out with another comment, but he remained silent, thinking. Building a mental plan concerning the next few days.
"So.... You haven't told me how you managed to get into all this trouble with Dennis yet"
"It's a long story"
"We've got all the time in the world"
..........................................
CARAVAN
Rhys stared out at the house as the final light went out at the caravan park. The tension over family dinner had been almost unbearable, although with only four of them remaining it wasn't really a family. Max had been asking questions left, right and centre, Jade was completely blanking him, Dani was still coming to terms with the news about Kane and they were all in a state over Kirsty and Shelley. He had decided it would be best for him to remain in the van until things settled down and Max had been the only one to offer any sort of argument. He had been trying to get to sleep for the past hour with no success.
..........................................
Kane's eyes snapped open as the car jerked and Scott muttered something indecipherable beneath his breath. It had to be one of the worst nights of his life. Every slight movement Scott made in his sleep woke him. He was too exhausted to even think of trying to make an escape. The pain all over his body had subsided following a dosage of strong painkillers but he still felt too crook to even think about making a getaway. It would have been too risky even if he had been in full health. No, it would be safer to keep Scott sweet. He lay back down on the back seat, shutting his eyes. If he tried hard enough he could just about imagine he was back with Kirsty on that night they spent in the back of his car. He missed her like crazy.
..........................................
CARAVAN PARK
Morning
Rhys enters through the back as Jade switches the kettle on.
"Morning"
Jade glances towards him, not replying.
"Sleep alright?"
She shrugged
"Why don't I make us all some breakfast - tell you what, I'll do us all some pancakes, just like the old - "
"You walked out on us Dad! Don't think you can just walk back in here and pretend nothing's changed"
Rhys nodded ashamedly, walking out of the kitchen as Carter knocked on the door.
"Inspector Carter... come in... is there any more news?"
"We've ID-ed the body we found at the garage"
"Right"
"Do you know a Mr Dennis Marshall?"
So it wasn't Kane. Rhys frowned.
"Never heard of him"
He glances towards Dani, who shakes her head
"Me neither"
"So who is he?"
"We've pulled him in a few times in the past ten years... could never get anything solid on him - he was too clever... most of it was drugs-related..."
"So why the hell did he take my daughter?"
Carter ignored the question, continuing.
"We also found out that he has some sort of relationship going with Mrs Jackie West... so it makes sense that he and Josh are in it together... some sort of arrangement that we haven't established just yet"
He paused, flicking through his notebook
"We've also found out that Dennis' mother, Sylvia, is the owner of the B&B where your daughter and Mr Phillips were staying... we've got a search warrant to go over that place with a fine-tooth comb"
"But you still don't know where Kirsty is?"
Carter shook his head glumly, snapping shut the notebook.
"However, we do know that the gun used to kill Mr Dennis Marshall was the same that was used in Scott Phillip's escape earlier this week... I'll keep you informed"
..........................................
CAR
Kane watches through the car window as Scott tips half a bottle of water over his head to wake himself up, before smoothing down his hair. He took a glance around the open countryside, before returning to the car.
"We should get another few hundred miles done today"
"Where are we headed?"
"Queensland - town called Mackay... Dad has a cousin there or something who owns a boatyard"
"Alfie?"
"That's him... we just need to get out of the country and I'm safe"
"Nah, Alfie's straight... there's no way he's gonna help you"
Scott shook his head, smirking.
"He might need some light persuasion..."
He gently patted his waistband, making reference to the gun that was still safely tucked away.
"...I've heard he's got a wife and a couple of kids... wouldn't want anything to happen to them..."
He smiled to himself as Kane looked nervously at him.
"...trust me, we'll be fine..."
He climbed back into the drivers seat, before glancing back at Kane.
"Are you staying in the back or what?"
"Well, my leg's still a bit crook..."
He hesitated thoughtfully. It was best not to make a fuss. He opened the door and hauled himself out, using the top of the car as a support. A night in the back of that car and his bones were aching like hell. He manoeuvred himself into the front, slamming the door shut behind him. He glanced into the mirror, frowning at his battered appearance.
"Reckon we should probably swap motors somewhere as well... just so we don't get tracked down... last thing we need is the cops on our back again"
.................................
Carter entered the station, immediately greeted by another man in a suit.
"Sir?"
"Hmm?"
"The team have searched the Bed and Breakfast from top to bottom - nothing that connects Sylvia Marshall to any of this... she's clean"
"And is she saying anything"
"She's hardly in a state to answer questions... her son's just been killed"
"Of course... keep me updated... "
.................................
HOSPITAL
Dani approaches Josh's bedside hesitantly. She wasn't sure why she had come. Josh was still out of it, and even the doctors were expecting the worst. But he was the missing link. The one person that could tie it all together. What exactly was going on. However much she despised him for what he had done she willed him to get better. Either Carter was right and Scott Phillip's had got hold of her with Kane, or she was somewhere else, and only Josh would know where that was. Or who she was with.
.................................
Scott climbed out of the car and looked up at the medium-sized, semi-detached house.
"This is it - number ten"
They'd done some asking around to find out the right address for the Jameson family and had managed to get the exact address. Kane climbed out of the car. His leg was still giving him trouble, not to mention the rest of his bruised body, and he limped around to Scott's side.
"Can I help you?"
A man approached along the pavement, carrying a couple of bulging shopping bags. Scott grinned at the approaching figure.
"Alfie! How are you doing?"
A puzzled look passed over the mans face, before he turned as white as a sheet.
"You're Richie's kid... Scott?"
Kane could see Alfie was terrified. Who wouldn't be?
"Yeah, I haven't seen you in ages!"
"I don't think you being here's a good idea... what with your current... situation"
He'd heard all about the recent jailbreak. He hadn't thought for one minute Scott would rock up on his doorstep though.
"Shouldn't let a few cops come between the family... are you gonna let us in... it's freezing out here"
Alfie was too petrified to refuse. He'd heard stories, in particular about the guard shot dead when Scott managed to escape. He wasn't one for taking risks. Reluctantly he unlocked and opened the door, vowing to talk them out of staying.
Scott stepped inside, walking straight into the living room as if the house was his own. Kane entered hesitantly, stopping to wipe his feet hastily on the doormat. Scott picked up a picture off the mantelpiece.
"Your kids?"
Alfie nodded regretfully. The last thing he wanted to do was expose his family to one of Richie's kids. He'd long ago cut ties with the family.
"Yeah... Kylie and Joseph"
"Nice little family you have here"
"Look, my wife will be back any minute... if it's money you want I can get you any amount"
Kane noted the mans desperation and just felt ashamed of Scott.
"I'm sure your wife - Sandra is it? - won't mind us sticking around for a while"
Almost on cue, the front door opened and kids voices floated in, followed by that of an older woman.
"Tell your Dad I'll be in in a minute!"
Two children charged through into the living room, stopping dead as they saw Scott. He was grinning at them but he still looked daunting.
"You must be Kylie and Joe"
"Kids, could you go to your room, Daddy's busy and - "
Scott interrupted, coming between Alfie and the children, bending down, the same grin fixed onto his face.
"I'm your Uncle Scott"
