Chapter six

Not leaving such a gap between chapters! Enjoy

Slowly, Sam began to regain consciousness but as his senses returned, so did the pain. He barely managed to open his left eye because it had swollen from the earlier blow to his face. The blood from his head wound had also dried to a crust, which crackled uncomfortably as he tentatively opened his eyes for the first time. He sussed out pretty quickly that he was lying on a cold, dirty floor in a darkened room. His ribs ached as he breathed and he knew that one or more of them must have been broken in the crash and he also had concussion from the two blows to his head. He was dismayed to find that his hands were secured behind him; his palms facing outwards, his wrists encircled by the cold, unrelenting bracelets of steel handcuffs and he found it hard to sit up, but since he felt so groggy, sitting up was too uncomfortable so he lay where he was, pondering this hellish situation. It was obvious to him that he had fallen into the hands of the Morris's and they wanted that file. He understood all too well that he only had a little time before they extracted the information they wanted and then killed him. If he wouldn't tell them its location, then there was no point in keeping him alive, but if he revealed its whereabouts, people who were mentioned in the file and who could testify would be targeted. Despair started to form in his mind, but he also had the professionalism of a highly trained agent vying for the attention. He knew that any broken bones endured under interrogation would heal, as would burns, cuts, bruises and endless other torturous injuries that could be inflicted. The only major problem he could see would be a bullet to the back of the head - that would definitely be irreversible. Looking around his bleak surroundings, Mr Negative told him that no one knew where he was and since he hadn't told Keel anything, he was on his own.

A sudden noise attracted his attention and he strained to see who was entering. One of the men from the BMW came to stand in front of him.

"I see you're awake, Agent Curtis." A cultured voice announced. "I hope you like the accommodation, it does seem fitting that we keep you somewhere in the dark, because that's how you operate in CI5, isn't it? Sneaking around under cover like reptiles, poking your noses in where they don't belong."

Sam tried to turn to get a better look at his captor.

"You think you know who I am, but who the hell are you?" Sam breathed heavily as he spoke, the effort of sitting having been difficult. The man laughed gently and turned on a weak overhead 40 watt bulb so that Sam could see him. It was the same man who'd punched him back at the car.

"Think? We don't think anything; we know who you are. Let me run this by you and see how it sounds, eh? You are Sam Curtis, otherwise known as Agent 3.7, ex MI6 and now currently working for CI5. We also know that at present, you are off the radar, having been suspended. Tut, tut, what a naughty boy you've been!"

Sam grimaced and looked away. Okay, so they did know who he was; definitely not a good start.

"As to whom we are, that is no concern of yours. Just look upon us as the people who want the file that was in Stephen Anton's house and we also want your old MI6 buddy Gerry Owens. I believe you know where he is so whilst the boys search for the file, you and I will have a little chat about dear Gerry."

Sam had to try. "Gerry? I haven't seen him in years!"

The kick in the ribs again made Sam's eyes water with pain.

"Wrong answer! Now you see, Sam - may I call you Sam? We followed Gerry to the pub the night he met you. We then followed you back to your apartment which incidentally, my colleagues had a look inside earlier today. We briefly picked Gerry up, but he's a slippery customer and he managed to escape, so I don't want you to waste my time with your pathetic lies!" The man's voice got louder and he pulled Sam's shirt so that he was jerked upright, his face a few inches from his.

"Don't play games with me. I have got plenty of time, so I suggest you start co-operating because you are going to die, you know that don't you? But I can make it quick and painless or drawn out and very, very painful. It's your choice."

"Can I get back to you on that?" Sam wasn't giving in to this creep.

The man, whom Sam had nicknamed Jack because he reminded him of a jackdaw smiled vacantly and pushed Sam viciously back to the floor.

"You're very funny, Sam. Glad to see you still have your sense of humour. You will soon discover that I also enjoy a joke, but somehow I don't think you will find my jokes amusing. I will be back in the morning, and then we can have an in depth discussion. Sweet dreams!"

Sam waited until he heard a door close and lock, before attempting to release himself from the handcuffs. As he struggled with the unrelenting steel, he pondered as to the whereabouts of Gerry Owens and what he'd like to do to him if he ever caught up with him...

Back at headquarters, Keel and Backus had been trying unsuccessfully to locate Sam's car. Keel wandered over to Alison Williams with Curtis's registration.

"Hi Alison, could you run a check on this plate please and see if it's triggered any cameras or been picked up on cctv?"

Alison smiled. "This isn't another of your stupid bets with Sam is it?"

Keel looked understandably confused. "Bet? What bet?"

"Don't give me that innocent look, Chris. Sam was in here a few days ago asking me to run a couple of plates for him but I wasn't supposed to tell you because you had some silly competition going on between you!"

Keel pressed her for the details. "What plates? Bring up the details, this is very important!"

Alison could sense the urgency and so quickly gave Keel the details of the two cars. Keel told Backup and then he took them to Malone.

"One car was stolen; it is a blue BMW and the other plate belongs to a Gerry Owens. Why on earth was Sam asking about this in secret and who is Gerry Owens?"

As if on cue, Backus appeared and shared the information she had discovered.

"Knowing Sam's past I've followed a hunch and it's paid off. Gerry Owens is ex MI6 and was partnered with Sam in Germany for a time. He saved Sam's life once, on a mission. He took out a sniper who in the end managed to only wing Sam rather than kill him. Gerry now works for Anton securities."

Malone looked thoughtful. "Very good, Miss Backus. I would wager it was Mr Owens who Mr Curtis met the other night, but for what purpose, we will have to discover."

Their deliberations were interrupted by Spencer calling urgently, "Sir! We've found his car!"

Malone nodded. "Thank you, Mr Spencer. Miss Backus, Mr Keel off you go."

Keel and Backus got the details from Spencer and raced off in the fading light to see how this was going to play out.

They arrived at the scene and both agents felt their earlier good mood dissipate.

Keel was there before Backus and tried to hide the horror on his face when he saw the state of his partner's car. Dr O'Brien came over to him.

"Agent Keel."

"Doctor, can you give me any idea as to what happened here, and is there any sign of Sam?"

Dr O'Brien took Keel nearer to the overturned vehicle and Backus joined them.

"It is a strange one this, the car didn't end up here by itself." Keel cocked an inquisitive eyebrow, so the Doctor elaborated.

"Let me explain. The really worrying part is that this wasn't an accident, the rear tyre was taken out by a high velocity rifle somewhere back near that bend."

Both agents exchanged a look of despair. The doctor carried on.

"Then the car skidded and flipped onto its roof, about – here." He indicated a spot where the verge was churned.

"There is blood on the ground which does suggest that the occupant got out of the car, but then it seems that the vehicle was pushed out of sight into the ditch. Also, if you come over here, you can see tyre tracks from a second vehicle. I have to say that in my experience, it would seem he had been forced off the road and then kidnapped."

Keel had to keep a lid on the anger that was threatening to boil over. Backus gently touched his arm in a gesture of solidarity and it seemed to calm him.

The doctor then added, "I probably shouldn't tell you this, because Mr Curtis wanted it kept quiet, but…"
"Go on, Doctor." Backus encouraged.

"He came to me the other afternoon with a gun and wanted me to run prints and ballistics. I did him a favour because you know what he's like for turning on the charm! It turns out the gun was used in the murder of Stephen Anton a few weeks ago."

Keel's ears pricked up. "Anton? I know that name. Gerry Owens works for the security firm of the same name and I don't believe in coincidences! Did he say where he got it?"

The doctor shook his head. "No, I'm afraid not. I just thought I'd mention it."

Keel was grateful. "Thank you, doctor. We're really glad you did!"

The doctor turned to get back to his job, but then added, "Keep me informed won't you? And if I can be of any assistance, please let me know."

"Sure thing Doc." Keel managed a smile. Curtis did have a natural charm that warmed most people to him and that was becoming obvious as more and more staff wanted to help in the search.

Malone was back at headquarters and after Keel passed him the Doctor's information, he rang Anton Securities. Even though it was now nearly midnight, he had used his sway to speak to Charles Anton, Stephen's brother.

Charles was at first unimpressed at being disturbed so late, but as Malone explained the purpose of his call, he was very keen to help in whatever way he could.

"You see, Mr Malone." He was saying. "My brother didn't have children of his own and when my son Giles was killed, he took it very hard. Giles was like the son he never had and he was convinced the 'accident' was avoidable and it had been greed that had caused the building to collapse. I must admit at first I thought it was grief talking, but as he dug deeper, he began to uncover some pretty sensational evidence."

"How was Gerry Owens involved, Mr Anton."

"Ah, Gerry. Well he was Stephen's security adviser, and a damn fine one. He was involved on the original investigation when he worked at MI6 and he was only too happy to investigate further. It was the Morris brothers who owned the development and Gerry compiled a file of evidence proving that their company cut costs and took one shortcut too many. It would destroy them if it got out and Stephen was in the process of presenting it to an enquiry when he was killed."

Malone absorbed the information.

"Where is this file now?"

Charles shook his head. "No idea. Stephen was adamant that none of the family knew, that way we wouldn't be targeted, if you know what I'm saying."

Malone nodded gently. "Oh, I know Mr Anton. I believe that one of my agents tried to help Gerry and now he has, as you so succinctly put it, been targeted."

Charles shook his head. "I'm really sorry to hear that. Gerry is a good man and understood the risks. I sincerely hope your man is alright."

Malone sighed. "So do I, Mr Anton. So do I," before putting down the phone.

Keel and Backus had by now returned from surveying the wreck of Curtis's car and reported back to Malone.

"He has definitely been taken by someone, sir." Backus was saying.

"And I now have a good idea who!" Malone added. "It's somehow connected to the Morris brothers, but we need to find Gerry Owens."

"I'll start now!" Keel announced, the adrenalin pumping around his body.

"No you won't, Mr Keel. You will go home, and you too Miss Backus, and get some rest. In the morning we will be fresher to attack this head on."

Keel went to speak. Malone stopped him.

"No arguments, Mr Keel. You will leave now and I will see you in the morning." The stare said it all.

Begrudgingly he replied, "Very well, sir. Goodnight."

Backus also acknowledged her boss's order. "Goodnight, sir."

Malone watched them go. At least he could grant them some rest, but there would be no sleep for him tonight.