Chapter 5

Imbalance

Anthony Richards took no chances with them. Everything was organised like a military operation, and even if Ed had been of the mind to try anything clever, he was given no opportunity. They drove on through the busy streets of the city. Ed could sense the unrelenting pressure of Richards' gaze on the back of his head. For about half an hour they made their winding way through San Francisco, up towards the warehouse district.

There they changed cars in an empty, dead-end street that was hemmed in on both sides by buildings. His Ford was parked beside some dumpsters, and he and Eve were escorted one by one to another car that was already there, waiting.

They changed positions as well. Ed was still in the driver's seat, but Eve was told to get in behind him, and Lonnie sat by her side, uncomfortably close beside her, from what Ed could see. The front seat was for Richards, but once Ed and Eve were in the other car with Lonnie, Richards put the package from Property in the trunk then went back to the Ford, carrying some fuel canisters.

Ed watched with growing fear as Richards poured a couple of cans of liquid over the inside of his old car. Then Richards returned, smelling faintly of gasoline, got in beside Ed and handed him a set of keys.

'Get going,' he said, pointing. 'But drive slowly.'

As they drove past the Ford, Richards struck a match and flicked it out of the passenger window, into the other car. Ed heard the sudden whoosh of fire, and in his wing mirror he could see the flames engulf the inside of the car. There wasn't going to be much left of that for the Chief to find.

He was told to drive on again, heading downtown, and again Ed did as he was ordered. All the time, Ed could see Eve clearly in the rear-view mirror, but she wouldn't look back. She stared pointedly out of the window, ignoring him. Occasionally, Ed caught a glimpse of Lonnie, he seemed to be watching every small move Eve made with dark, leering eyes.

Richards gave him directions and they travelled for about ten minutes through the downtown area and out towards the industrial sector. At last, they turned down a small side street, and Richards told him to stop.

They pulled up next to a door, Eve and Lonnie got out first, Ed and Richards next. There were no outward sign of any guns, not on an open street like this, but Ed knew Richards' gun was in his jacket pocket, and Lonnie's must have been handy as well.

Inside, Ed tensed. Every part of his instinct was telling him to act now, while he still had a chance of a clean getaway. This was the most vulnerable Richards and Lonnie had been. This was the best time to make a run for it. If he dared to try. But Eve wouldn't even look at him, she barely even acknowledged him. Without some kind of communication, there was no chance they would act in concert. And there was no way he would try anything without tipping Eve off before. He needed her help.

His anticipation turned to frustration as they took the few steps across the street towards a door in a large, grey building. Eve still wouldn't look at him, and she made no move whatsoever. As he stepped over the threshold, Ed felt a curious sinking feeling, almost like despair. He remembered what despair felt like; in the days after Anne had died, it had nearly consumed him. But he had made a promise to himself and her memory that he would never give in to that feeling. He'd never expected to be so close to it again.

The door closed behind him with a secure sounding click, and Ed was left with the ominous and unnerving feeling that he'd let slip his only opportunity to get Eve and himself out of this alive.

The building was cold, and smelled of dust and dampness. It couldn't have been used in the past year or so. They were taken through an empty, cavern-like room to the offices at the back. Richards shepherded Ed towards the centre, where there was a table, a phone and a couple of metal, lattice-backed chairs. Lonnie guided Eve the other way to what looked like what was once a safe room. Ed tensed again, afraid of what Lonnie might have had in mind for Eve, but Lonnie stayed this side of the door as he shut it behind her, sliding the double bolt into place.

'Take off your jacket and take a seat,' said Richards, gesturing at one of the chairs. 'Put your hands behind your back.'

Ed did as he was told, slipping off his jacket and placing it on the table and sitting down. Lonnie took out a pair of handcuffs, most likely Ed's own handcuffs, and snapped them as tightly as he could around Ed's wrists so they bit into his skin.

Ed tried to move, but quickly discovered that Lonnie was smarter than he looked, as he had threaded the chain of the cuffs between the mid post of the chair. The chair had also been fixed to the floor. It wouldn't move, and neither could Ed.

For the next half hour Richards and Lonnie moved in and out, ignoring Ed. They brought the package in from outside, and moved some other things around, but Ed was never left alone. His frustration soon gave way to hopeless anger. He couldn't move, he couldn't do anything but sit there and watch

Finally, Richards seemed to be satisfied with whatever they had been doing. He glanced at his watch and came over to stand right next to Ed, who looked up, having to tip his head back uncomfortably to see the other man's face.

'I have an important appointment,' Richards said. 'That door over there is going to be locked from the outside, with you and my associate here inside. There is only one key to the door, and I have it. There is no other way out. I expect to find you here when I return from my errand.'

With that, and the implicit warning, Richards left, locking the outer door behind him with a loud click.

Alone with Lonnie, the minutes crawled past. Ed's wrists had begun to ache very quickly, distracting him from what was going on, and no matter how he tried to move, the pain wouldn't go away. Every attempt at conversing with his captor met with failure, as Ed was ignored. All the time, Lonnie sat on the other chair, dealing out cards for himself in some twisted form of patience that Ed had never seen before.

At last, Ed gave up trying to talk. He had nothing to do but brood about what had happened, and how he could have done things differently. And that didn't make him feel any better. He had been out manoeuvred, but he hadn't completely given up. Though he couldn't risk Eve getting hurt, or worse, he could still try and get some more information, in the hope of somehow tipping the Chief off, if he got the opportunity.

He knew that would be dangerous, very, very dangerous, but at least he would have the option. Whether or not he took it was a different matter. How far was he willing to go? How much of a risk could he take?

In his mind, he could see Eve's sunny smile as it had been this morning when they had joked about Scott and the salmon parfait. And he could remember the crushed, betrayed look on her face as she had stared out of the window of the car after they had been to Property. Who knows what Richards could have told her while he was out of earshot? And she was certainly acting like she believed he was on the take. Everything he'd done, everything Eve had seen, all pointed in the same direction. Somehow, he had to try and change that, he had to convince her they were still on the same side, even though it stung to think that she could believe that of him.

But Ed also knew he had to be realistic. It was unlikely he was going to get the opportunity. If Richards had lied to her, then he wasn't likely to give Ed the chance to clear himself. Either way, he would have to wait until Richards got back from his "appointment". Lonnie never spoke to him and acted like he wasn't there. It was clear that Lonnie wasn't the one in charge here. If he was going to try to see Eve, he would have to use Richards.

But that in itself was dangerous. Richards was a very clever man. He would suspect something, he might even have anticipated it. But the most likely way to get what he wanted was to be upfront about it. He was worried about Eve. He wanted to see she was ok. Richards should understand that.

Once he had decided on a plan of action, the minutes seemed to pass even more slowly. Unable to see the time on his wristwatch, Ed had no idea how long he sat watching Lonnie play his strange game.

But at last there was the sound of a key in the lock, and Lonnie looked up from his cards. Richards appeared, looking pleased.

'Any trouble?' he asked.

'No, Mr Richards.' It was the first time Ed had heard Lonnie speak, and it was with a thick Texan accent. 'He's not tried anything.'

'Good.' Much to Ed's annoyance, Richards didn't look surprised. He went over to the package and started to open it. Ed knew if he was going to try and talk to Eve, it would have to be now, or never, before he lost any opportunity.

'I did as you wanted,' Ed said suddenly. 'So I want to see Eve.'

Richards looked around at him, as if surprised that he could speak.

'You're not in a position to demand anything, Brown,' replied Richards.

'It's not a demand. I want to make sure she's ok.'

And I have to do something, Ed thought. I can't just sit around and hope it all works out.

'Why shouldn't she be?' Richards asked. 'My friend has been here with you the whole time. And I did tell you I didn't want to hurt her. You do believe that, don't you? You do believe I'll stick to what I say?'

Ed gave a grim smile, knowing what Richards was trying to do.

'I just want to make sure she's ok,' he repeated, deliberately not answering Richards' question. 'If you were in my position, wouldn't you?'

Richards pondered the idea for a few moments then smirked in a nasty way, his cold, level gaze fixed on Ed.

'All right, if it will make you feel any better. But Lonnie will stay with you, just to make sure you don't try anything stupid.'

Ed frowned, thinking maybe it wasn't such a good idea after all, how was he going to explain to Eve with Lonnie in the same room? But it was done now. He would have to make the best of it.

Lonnie opened the cuffs, and Ed rubbed his wrists, flexing his fingers slowly. Richards was watching his every movement with that same superior smile on his face.

Lonnie let Ed precede him to the door, and unbolt it. Lonnie obviously thought that Ed could be trying something on, as he kept a clear distance between them, watching his every move. Having that steady, intense stare on him made Ed feel incredibly uncomfortable.

The door opened. The room behind it was fairly small, and virtually empty, with a hard, steel ledge in one corner that could serve as a chair. The only light came from a narrow, heavily barred and dirty window high up in the wall.

Eve was standing up by the ledge, and she kept her distance from him.

'What do you want?' she asked in a cold tone.

'I wanted to make sure you were ok.'

'What for, to ease your conscience?'

'Eve, it's not what you think.'

'Don't patronise me, Ed!'

'Eve…'

Beside him, Lonnie shifted uneasily, and Ed suddenly realised that letting Lonnie anywhere near Eve was a huge mistake. He had no idea how the man might react. Ed gulped, a sinking sensation swelling inside his chest. No wonder Richards had seemed so damn smug about this; it was all going to go horribly wrong. Worse, he'd let himself be walked straight into it.

Eve was a wilful woman, she wasn't going to back down without saying what she thought. He had to get out of there before Lonnie did something. He took a small step back, hoping to just turn around and leave before anything happened. But Eve stepped after him, closer to Lonnie.

'Ed Brown, I want an explanation!'

He cursed his stupidity. Of course Richards would have foreseen something like this. And what better way to keep him in line than to show him a little of what Lonnie was capable of.

'Eve…' His voice was more strained than he thought it would be.

'They told me you had a price,' said Eve bitterly. 'That everyone has a price! What was yours? Is that what you were negotiating outside the car at Bayside? More money? How much is enough? One million? Two? More?'

In spite of the danger, Ed almost answered her back, but he saw that Richards had played them both like an old pro. Divide and conquer, wasn't that the saying? Whatever they'd told her about him must have been enough to convince her of his guilt. And, though he was no longer sure of this himself anymore, it would have to have been very convincing to make her believe he would betray the Chief. But the point was, she believed Richards, and that was all that mattered.

Eve took another step closer to him, and to Lonnie as well.

'How could you, Ed? It's only money! I thought there was more to you that just money! I thought I knew you. I trusted you, Ed!'

The word trusted brought tears to her eyes, and the look of utter disgust she gave him was almost unbearable.

Unfortunately, Eve was too busy being angry that she didn't look twice at the other man, her full attention fixed on Ed. But Ed was fully aware of Lonnie and for the first time in hours, he felt he had actually done something right. Lonnie was glaring venomously at Eve.

'How could you betray him like this?' she asked, her voice rising in pitch. 'How could you?'

'Shut up, bitch!' Lonnie hissed.

Eve turned with a shocked gasp, perhaps realising for the first time that she was in danger from the other man. Lonnie moved forward, clearly intent on getting her to shut up, forcibly. But Ed was expecting it.

He moved between them, pushing Eve back as Lonnie swung a hook that caught Ed powerfully on the jaw. Off-balance anyway, Ed staggered, loosing his footing on the smooth floor, and he fell, knocking his right temple on the side of the ledge with a glancing blow. He hit the ground with a grunt.

A moment later he heard a muffled scream, but the room lurched uncontrollably as he tried to stand up. Perhaps he passed out for a moment, as there was silence. Then he heard rushing footsteps.

'What did I tell you!' Richards growled. 'What did I tell you! Get him up, I need him. You can play later.'

There was a thud, and a female cry, as Eve landed on the floor next to Ed. Even with a splitting headache and blood in his eyes, he could see the look of terror on Eve's face. She glanced up, her expression changing to one of concern, and she moved closer to reach out and help Ed upright.

'Sorry, Mr Richards,' said Lonnie apologetically.

Eve was kneeling beside Ed when she heard the name and she gave a tiny gasp. Ed gripped her hand and squeezed it as tightly as he could, praying that she wouldn't react any more. Richards hadn't noticed the slip.

'She was just being so… loud… so hysterical…' continued Lonnie.

Eve looked down. Across Ed's wrists, no longer hidden by the cuff of his shirt, were the red marks where the handcuffs had been digging in.

'Ed…?' she whispered, the look of confusion suddenly replaced by fear. She turned whiter.

Before he could open his mouth, Lonnie grabbed Ed by his arm and pulled him up. The room lurched again and Ed staggered, nausea rushing through his stomach. His head thumped like he had a hangover to end all hangovers and he could barely stand. He never got the chance to speak to Eve again, but he was dragged through the doorway, and he heard the door being locked behind him. It was small comfort, but at least Lonnie was out there with him, not in there with her.

Lonnie pushed him back into the chair and Ed didn't struggle, to nauseated to try. He let the room lurch to a stop before looking up.

'So are you satisfied now that she's alright?' Richards asked, the mockery in his voice unmistakable.

'Yes,' whispered Ed.

Richards grabbed the back of Ed's hair and pulled sharply down, jerking his head back and sending a spike of agony across his temple.

'Then I trust you still believe what I said earlier,' he whispered. 'I would hate to think that you thought I didn't mean it.'

'I do,' gasped Ed, 'I do.'

'Maybe I should see this as you acting against my instructions? Should I be thinking that?'

'No. Please. No.'

Richards let go of Ed's hair and let him sit for a moment in silence.

'Well, you're not going to get a lot of help from her, are you, Sergeant Brown?' Richards said eventually.

'I guess that was the point,' murmured Ed. 'That's very clever.'

The wolfish grin on Richards' face grew wider.

'That's quite a way to be sure,' said Richards, tipping Ed's head to one side, pretending to look at the gash on his temple. 'But now that you have been reminded of what could so easily happen, I have something to show you.'

Richards waited, and after a few moments, Ed noticed the package from Property was now wide open on the table, and Ed could see small plastic bags of white powder inside.

'Don't you recognise it?' asked Richards.

Hurting and in no mood to play more games, Ed shook his head, immediately regretting it as the room spun once more. He fought not to be sick.

'It's heroin,' Richards said. 'Very important heroin. Exhibit Two for the People versus McDonald.'

He could see the look of malicious glee on Richards' face as the implication of what he'd been involved in dawned on Ed. It was evidence from the McDonald case.

The most important case of the year was in shreds; his own involvement in the investigation was going to be suspect as well. And he'd just walked in and taken it, so naturally without any pretence, his signature was on the documents. It was going to look even more damning now. It was going to look like he'd sold out, just as Eve thought. There was no way anyone could think otherwise, not even Ironside.

Ironside… the name sent another, more unpleasant, wave of nausea though him. The Chief was never going to believe that he'd not been bought by McDonald. He wouldn't have believed it himself if he'd seen the evidence from the outside. He put his hand across his forehead, and closed his eyes for a moment. He could feel the light trickle of blood across his aching temple

'Oh, shit,' he murmured.

'How right you are, Sergeant Brown,' said Richards triumphantly. 'Even if the Chief does find you, he'll have to throw the book at you.'

Richards handed him the phone.

'So just to make sure, you're going to call him,' he said. 'Call the Chief. Right now. The ransom for this junk is two million dollars by four on Wednesday morning. No compromise, no negotiation. You will call again to tell them the drop.'

'That's all?'

'You'd better make it sound good,' said Richards. He took a small glance at Lonnie who was grinning like the monster he undoubtedly was. He was just aching for a chance to get to Eve. Ed shuddered.

'You understand what happens if you don't,' asked Richards.

Ed understood all too well. What else could he do?

So he picked up the phone and dialled the Chief's number.