Ransom 9

Whenever a worrying truth was about to be exposed, Robert had always gone with the 'deny deny deny' school of thought. It was, he knew, a knee-jerk reaction, and it had got him into trouble before. Still he hadn't learned his lesson and before he could stop himself he was denying Cain's accusation. "No I..." in the blink of an eye Cain was on him, one hand on his throat the other arm propelling him backwards to then violently slam him into the wall.

"Who's got him?" Cain demanded through clenched teeth, he was beyond angry and would the beat the truth out of Robert if need be.

Robert couldn't breathe let alone speak, the impact with the wall had winded him and the pressure on his throat was robbing him of vital oxygen. He could only manage to groan in reply, and he knew if Cain didn't release him soon he would black out.

"Cain! Let him go!" Chas pleaded, Robert wasn't going to be of any help to them dead.

The desperation in his sister's voice had Cain loosen his grip a little, Robert should have got the message not to lie to him again. "Who is it?"

Robert gulped in some air before voicing the name of the bastard responsible, "Shields... Billy Shields." Robert would be surprised if Cain didn't recognise the name, knowing the sort of people Cain mixed with he was bound to have heard of him even if he didn't know him personally.

Cain's concern grew even more, he knew of Shields, knew how hard a man he was. He would do just about anything for money but he wasn't one to work off his own back, "Who's he working for?"

"What?" Robert was thrown by the question.

"Shields is working for someone, he has to be, so who is it?"

"I... I don't know" It hadn't occurred to Robert that someone else was involved, that someone might have hired Shields, be paying him to hold Aaron for ransom. Who would do that?

/

A combination of pain and exertion had caused Aaron to sweat profusely. He wiped the moisture from his eyes then lay back onto the mattress. He needed to rest a little while, he just wanted five minutes to catch his breath then he'd go back to his battle with the handcuff. Just about every part of him ached, especially his ribs, he was in a right sorry state. He couldn't understand why he was so weak, he wasn't ill, just beat up a little. Aaron heaved a sigh of misery, what he wouldn't give for a soak in a hot bath right now. That would help soothe all his sore spots. If he... no not if... when he got out of his makeshift prison, after seeing to Robert of course, he would head straight for the bathroom. He scratched his beard, it desperately needed trimming, once it got to this length all it did was annoy him. It annoyed Robert too, gave him... how had that thought crept passed his defences? Aaron told himself he'd been off his guard, but that he'd been quick to block it and that was a good sign.

The door was opening again, Aaron forced himself into a sitting position, intent on staring his captor in the eye.

"Breakfast! The full English!" Shields grinned as he tossed his hostage a packet of shop bought sandwiches and a couple of bottles of water.

Aaron had forgotten all about eating, food was the last thing on his mind right now. No wonder his strength was deserting him. He eyed the sandwiches, there was just enough light spilling in for him to read what they contained, egg, bacon, sausage. Aaron's mouth started to water and a memory gripped him. Paddy used to make them a full English every Sunday morning. He missed Paddy, wished they were as close as they used to be. A few things had come between them... Robert for one! How could he have put what he'd done to Paddy behind him? How could he have forgiven him? No he hadn't forgiven him as such he'd just shrugged it off, told himself Paddy was ok and that was all that mattered, that Robert... he suddenly remembered where he was and his head snapped up to meet the other man's gaze, "Will Robert be back today?"

"Maybe, maybe not!"

"Ring him, tell him I want to see him."

"I don't take orders from you."

"I was asking. Please! " Aaron tried to keep his tone even, he did't want the man to think he was begging. He didn't know what to make of the resulting smirk on his captors face, he supposed he found him pathetic. OK maybe he was, he was in this mess because he'd loved someone who obviously didn't love him. Another lesson learned the hard way, the best way maybe for him. Aaron knew his emotions were all over the place right now, but he'd been hurt beyond belief, still he was winning his battle with them, he would conquering them by the time he saw Robert again. Robert didn't know it yet but when he next looked into his eyes he would be looking at his killer!

/

Cain had never liked Robert, he'd never trusted him, had thought him a conniving little weasel. He hadn't liked it when Chas had told him about his relationship with Aaron. The lad could do a whole lot better, he certainly deserved someone better. Unfortunately it had been painfully obvious how much Aaron loved him and the fact he made Aaron happy was his one and only saving grace. Cain could see fear in Robert's eyes but he could tell that Robert was telling the truth in this instance. "Think!" Cain ordered "There must be someone with a grudge against you, someone you did down, did out of money?"

"I don't know. There has to be I suppose but to take it to this level... " There were plenty of people with grudges against him but he couldn't think of anyone who would do something so extreme, they'd have to be more than a little bitter and twisted. Suddenly a face and a name popped into his head, could they be behind this? He realised it was a real possibility but despite everything that had just happened he decided to keep his suspicions from Cain, "No. No I cant think of anyone who would do this." He held Cain's gaze, determined to convince Cain he was telling the truth in this instance. If his suspicions were right he wanted to deal with this in his own way.

/

Aaron had gobbled the sandwiches down, and after drinking every last drop of the water he'd been given he was now determinedly working on loosening the handcuff. Now and again he would feel it give a little and his sense of anticipation would grow some more. He had no idea how long it would take to free himself but he was happy with the way things were progressing, he just wished he'd started sooner.

Just a short while later Aaron was grinning in delight. He was unbelievably pleased with himself. The cement holding the handcuff was now crumbling, readily falling apart. Whoever had mixed the cement had done a bad job. He was no expert on such things but he could remember Jackson saying ... Jackson! A sudden rush of emotion had tears form and fall from his eyes. It had been a long time since he'd cried over Jackson, a long time since he'd been overwhelmed by the pain of losing him. He'd slowly clawed his way out of the black pit Jackson's death had left him languishing in. He'd reached the point where he was able to smile when he thought about him, so why the tears now? Aaron mulled the question over a little before the answer dawned on him. It was simple. He was longing for his first love because of Robert's betrayal. Jackson would never have done anything like this, he would never have used him for his own gain, Jackson had loved him, truly loved him. Robert had no feelings for him and once again that truth was tearing him apart inside.

Aaron allowed his tears to fall a little longer, he needed the release but then he determinedly wiped them away. He'd always been quick to cry, his emotions always lay lose to the surface. He was still in emotional turmoil now but like he'd told himself before he was going to have to channel that pain into his escape.

Aaron's renewed efforts had seen him yank violently at the buried handcuff. He couldn't see it but Aaron knew his wrist was now raw and bleeding, the metal cuff had cut deep into his flesh. It was as sore as hell and every movement made it worse but he knew he had to keep working on it. 'Come on', he kept telling himself. 'You can do it, just a little more... just...'

He was free! The cement had finally given way!

tbc