Sorry for the delay. Thank you for continuing to read and view I hope you like the latest instalment

Chapter 10

The pounding in his ears wouldn't cease, along with the ringing of smashed glass. Time seemed to slip like he'd taken a blow to the head. His vison blurred as his breath hitched. He staggered against the door jamb, his hearing rushing back like someone turning up a radio.

"Kidnapped! When, where?" His tone was sharp.

"You need to accompany us to the station."

"I need to know." He felt like he was being held in a chokehold. Tin-Tin taken? It couldn't be.

"Mr Tracy you need to come with us and answer our questions or you will be further charged with; how do you American's phrase it? Perverting the course of justice." The officer looked pleased with the American he'd picked up from his favourite crime procedural show. His moustache twitched with a smirk as they drew closer to Gordon.

A hundred thoughts rushed through Gordon's mind as he frantically thought through his options. He needed to identify when she had been taken and where if he was to have a chance of finding her. Best way to determine that was to probably comply. Tin-Tin had just said the next town over so he had no idea where to begin. It sounded like they wanted to interrogate him which would get him the answers he needed at least. The problem was, would they let him leave after? Gordon had a horrible suspicion he would be detained yet they could only hold him for so long with circumstantial evidence. It was a plausible risk to get the information he desperately needed. If he ran now, he'd have no intel and a manhunt to contend with which would likely not end well for him or Tin-Tin.

"Alright. I'll come with you. Can I just contact my brother? I was supposed to call him at nine."

"No, you may not."

Swell. No back up then, he thought.

One of the officers grabbed his wrist and clapped a cuff on it. "Hey! Is that really necessary? I'm complying." The officer snapped the other one on, the rivets ratcheting as they bit into his wrists. Ignoring Gordon's mild protest, they led him down the steps by his wrists and arms.

"Can you at least lock the door; the property should be secured." Gordon indicated to the front door with a nod. The officer holding his wrists nodded to his taller companion who jogged back up the steps to secure the house.

The lithe officer opened the car door before the other one pushed Gordon's head down as he folded into the seat. Black diamond mesh separated him from the two seats in front. The officers got in and slammed the doors before firing up the engine and pulling away from the curb in a plume of dust. Gordon leaned back using the car journey as an opportunity to think.

Poor Tin was out there likely alone and afraid, possibly hurt. Him being accused of kidnapping her was of little consequence to him but a massive inconvenience in his plans to locate her and more importantly, the police falsely accusing him meant they were wasting time not locating the actual assailant, leaving Tin-Tin in grave danger. He would have to find a way to wrap this up quickly.

Gordon kept a careful eye on his surroundings, watching the route through the windscreen to keep track of where he was being taken. First things first he would be booked in and patted down, likely his possessions taken including his phone and watch, his only methods of communication. He would be uncontactable and that would likely raise alarm bells with his family within a short period of time. They would start to look for him so that wasn't too much of a cause for concern, but it also meant Tin-Tin couldn't contact him if she was able to.

He would then be taken to an interview room where they would question his whereabouts, and he didn't have a plausible alibi. He hadn't met or seen anyone on his run tonight so there would be no one to vouch for him. That was a significant issue and a hinderance.

He resolved that he would fall back on the rich boy; do you know who my father is act if he had to. Shout for the embassy, lawyer or his constitutional rights and failing that, he wasn't afraid to resort to more physical measures or bribery. He'd be fine. He rolled his shoulders and interlocked his fingers where his hands were forced together awkwardly. The car was starting to slow which was good because it smelt of stale smoke and urine. Gordon wrinkled his nose in disgust and pulled his back off the seat, sitting straighter. His body lurched forwards as the car pulled to a stop.

He was hauled out of the sedan and marched up the steps into a small precinct. A simple square nondescript box with a flat roof and concrete covered porch. Water pooled on the worn steps, reflecting the grey seamlessly in the glow of the streetlights. They pushed through two sets of swing doors before rocking up to a reception desk where Gordon was roughly patted down, pockets emptied, and watch removed.

He was asked to give his name. "Gordon Tracy - Quick question? Why am I being arrested without evidence for a crime I didn't commit? I'm not a suspect."

The surly clerk ignored him, skimming over the data he was fastidiously imputing on the computer.

"You see generally you have to provide a warrant based on factual evidence to form a lawful prosecution. You might as well arrest me for arson or money laundering because I've no more done those crimes than kidnap my partner." The lithe younger officer prodded him in the back, causing Gordon to rock forwards towards the counter.

"Date of Birth."

"How about you answer me, and I'll be a good little parrot and rattle that off for you."

"I don't think you understand the seriousness of the situation." The stout older officer replied.

Gordon reeled off his date of birth. "Oh, I assure you I do but I'm just keen to express my innocence and remind you that an assailant likely has my partner, yet you seem content to waste all our time. You should be out there looking for her." He worked hard to keep his voice level.

The clerk indicated he was done with a nod before the two officers marched him off straight into an interview room where he was cuffed to a desk. Bit unnecessary thought Gordon, he didn't think that was typical treatment.

Gordon faced the officers in the dank grey room across the stark metal table. A black two-way window loomed behind them. "Let's cut to the chase then fella's, what do you want to know?" he quizzed.

"Where were you tonight?" The elder of the two officers with the imposing moustache questioned gruffly.

"What time exactly?" Gordon queried.

"Between 6 and 7.45pm."

"I was at Tin-Tin's house till 6.30 and then I went for a run."

"Where did you run?"

"Down through the village to the coast."

Gordon wasn't going to give them any more information than necessary, he wasn't being intentionally awkward, it had been drilled into him. If necessary, only give the information you are specifically asked for and nothing else. Even better don't give them a thing.

"Did anyone see you?"

"Probably, why don't you ask in the village?"

"So, we have no witnesses to your only alibi." The younger officer – officer Che according to his uniform, leant forwards on the desk, the light refracting off his bronze skin below short sleeves. He was in top form Gordon noted but he shouldn't be too much of an issue.

Gordon leaned back in his seat. Yes, and the real question here is why do you believe I'm the suspect?"

The older officer produced a file and slapped down a photo. It was a navy-blue SUV with the driver's door open, parked haphazardly in a ditch off the roadside. The lights were still on, cutting through the haze. Gordon leaned forward once more to survey the picture intently. It was a dirt track, so one of the lesser roads around here with thick vegetation. It surrounded the ditch which separated the fringes of the forest from the road. Gordon thought he could just make out the edge of a sign, flared in the headlights it read Air. Gordon racked his brains for nearby places - Telok Air! Yes! They had passed through there on the way here, it was about a fifteen-minute drive. Progress.

"Do you recognise this vehicle?"

"Well, I should seeing as how I rented it from a depot in Kuala Lumpur. The rental agreements on my phone. Tin-Tin took the SUV to meet her friend."

The officer rifled through the file once more, spreading several photos at once in front of Gordon which made his stomach spasm uncomfortably. He worked quickly to school his features to remain passive. The front windscreen was smashed on the driver's side, the photos of the interior showed burgundy stains on cream upholstery over the driver's seat. There was enough blood to know the person had been seriously wounded. One small, bloodied handprint was smeared across the door handle. He ground his teeth angrily vowing to hunt the person who did this down.

"Your fingerprints were found over the steering wheel and doorframe, the only other fingerprints being Tin-Tin Kyrano's."

"Well yes; as I explained, I rented the truck and I've driven it as has Tin-Tin. So, I'm not surprised you found my prints. Are those tyre tracks of another vehicle?" Gordon Squinted, yes another SUV by the looks of it or a van judging by the size of them.

"Were you driving tonight?" Che quizzed.

"No, I've not driven since the Sunday we arrived here."

"Then who is this seen driving at 7.30pm?" Che pulled up a video and spun the tablet around. The large tablet fitted comfortably within his handspan.

Gordon watched as the hire car pulled into a gas forecourt. He watched with a mixture of amazement and horror as he stepped out of the car and walked around to the charger. A screen grab clearly showed his face, his hand caught mid sweep as he pushed his fringe out of his eyes. The gait, the clothes were all him and yet that wasn't him. Maybe the time stamp and date had been recorded in error? They had filled up the car not that long ago, that or someone was setting him up but how and why?

"This is you, at 7.30pm this evening is it not?" Probed the young officer.

"No that's not me, I told you I was running around the village."

"Facial recognition says it is you." He pressed.

"Machines aren't infallible."

"Witnesses can corroborate it was you." Cut in the older officer, his moustache quivering in frustration.

"Humans can be even less reliable." Gordon stared both officers down, his mind whirring through solutions to his current predicament and coming up empty. All he knew was he had to get to her. If anything happened to her….

"We have grounds to detain you without bail for the next 48 hours while we conclude our initial investigations." Surmised the older officer.

"I want to call my lawyer then."

"You will have the opportunity to do so in the morning."

"What! I have a right. I've come here willingly, answered all your questions and it still sounds like I'll need representation, so let me call her. My father is a billionaire, he can pay a handsome bail fee."

"You are a kidnapper Mr Tracy, a dangerous criminal who doesn't deserve rights."

Gordon stood, kicking the metal chair backwards with a crash. The chains clinking to their full length. "You're after the wrong person. Why would I want to hurt her?" He slammed his hands on the desk, Chains scraping. She's been a family friend for years and I love her. Her father is my father's dearest friend and aide. You don't understand how long I've waited to be with her. What's my motive to kidnap her?" His voice rose an octave at the end in desperation at trying to reason with them.

"You had a previous partner…Olivia Conclaves, yes?"

"Yes, a long time ago." Gordon shifted uneasily, wondering how they knew and where they were going with this line of questioning. It wasn't something he was prepared for. Olivia had been serving in W.A.S.P at the same time as him, it wasn't what he would have called a serious relationship. They were young and posted away from each other far too often for a lasting relationship. She was still serving when he had left service and as far as he was aware, she still was. He lost contact with everyone except for Henry after Glenn died. Losing his best friend, along with his paralysis…...going back to W.A.S.P or even discussing it had been too painful. He'd only recently started to look back on that aspect of his life with fondness again.

"Ms Conclaves was kidnapped just over twelve months ago. She was severely beaten and abused. More pictures fell on the desk. Gordon's jaw hung slack in shock. Her injuries were extensive, if they hadn't said it was Olivia he would never have guessed, but yes there was the wine-coloured birthmark just across the top of her bruised clavicle, it was her. The officer continued "We checked the dates; you arrived in the same state twenty-four hours before she was taken. Again, she was driving alone when ambushed. She says the man was around 5ft 11, slim athletic build, with a lightly freckled complexion. He was American, red haired."

Both officers stared at him in silence. Gordon couldn't help it, he let out a strangled laugh. "Wow, you guys are really scraping the barrel now. This is absurd. There are thousands of people that could match that description."

"Wasn't your brother's Girlfriend kidnapped three years ago? In London. Seems very strange that three women you know have all befallen to this fate."

Gordon rounded on them again. "How dare you! I would never have subjected my sister in-law to the torture she experienced or poor Olvia. You have no solid evidence I've taken Tin-Tin and if you think these shock tactics will change my testimony then you have another thing coming. You should be looking for her, she is in grave danger – do something!"

"Just tell us where she is, and what you have done with her." The older officer barked at him.

Gordon let out a frustrated howl. "If I knew where she was, I wouldn't have come here. I'm asking you to do your damn jobs and find her!"

These guys needed to leave; he was reaching the end of his tether. He was being set up, trapped like a caged animal but he wouldn't be for long. He'd tried the legal route, but it seemed he was left with no choice. He had to find her, if it got him locked up for life so be it. He had a location, a rough time and tracks he could follow.

The two officers rose, one stooping to gather the paperwork into an orderly pile before they both came around to Gordon's side of the desk and unchained him from it, with his hands still cuffed. Gordon stumbled into the desk, his hands scattering the paperwork once more. His fingers and thumb quickly snatched at the paperclip which he tucked up the inside of the cuff. Gordon let them lead him through the door into the main foyer. He'd noticed on the way in it was usually quiet. There only appeared to be three officers in the building, which was strange, but it was a small remote outpost, it could simply be because it was a village station. Gordon made himself relax in their grip as they led him towards the first metal door. As officer Che went to unlock the door with a clank, Gordon struck like a viper.

He rushed the old boy with all his might into the wall with a resounding thud before viciously back handing him across the temple with his cuffed hands, felling the man instantly. He then ran at officer Che, slamming him in between the door jamb and metal gate several times in quick succession with ruthless efficiency. Officer Che's neck caught between the pillars as did his chest. He slid to his knees as Gordon whipped the keys off his belt, kicked him though and slammed the door shut. Che rolled around moaning on the floor whilst the other police officer was completely sprawled halfway up against the wall.

Gordon took a breath bending down to reach for the gun holstered at the officer's side. It could come in handy.

"I wouldn't if I were you."

Gordon lifted his gaze to a barrel pointing at his head. He slowly rose up away from the weapon on the floor, warily eyeing his assailant. It was the clerk from the booking desk.

"Pick up the keys."

Biting the inside of his cheek, Gordon did as he was instructed with the gun still trained on him. the jangle of keys on the large ring rang out in the empty corridor.

"Open the gate."

With a sinking feeling, Gordon opened the gate pulling it open on squeaking hinges. The gun barrel in his back indicated he should move. Stepping over the prone officer on the floor Gordon walked down the plain corridor under the florescent lights.

"Stop, open the cell."

Gordon fumbled awkwardly with the keys, searching for the right one before hoisting them up to the lock with his cuffed hands. The second attempt opened the door, he walked through. He knew what was coming, he turned around chucking the keys to the stranger without ceremony.

The man chuckled in a deep voice, deftly catching the keys before they hit his face. Stepping back outside the cell and slamming the grate home, he spoke.

"I was hoping to wait a little longer before revealing myself but as usual Gordon Tracy; you force my hand."

Gordon felt like he'd been plunged into ice at the sound of that gravely tone. He stared at the man as dread seeped into his bones, his spine tingling. He couldn't see the man's face it was obscured by an officer's cap, casting half the man's face in shadow from mid-nose upwards.

The man lifted a brown leather gloved hand to remove his cap, a shock of auburn hair fell back into his eyes. A strong square jawline and high cheekbones accentuated the golden light brown eyes sparkled in the harsh light. A thin-lipped sneer taunted Gordon.

Gordon looked back at the man wearing his face in horror. It was terrifyingly accurate, even if the man had broader shoulders. "Who the hell are you?" Gordon maintained his stance warily.

"Come, you don't recognise me? tsk." The man grabbed his neck at the point where it met his collar and pulled. The skin morphed and stretched, becoming grotesquely translucent in places under the strain before breaking off in great lumps. The face underneath had fuller lips, a wider jaw and nose. The remaining section of the mask was removed in one piece to reveal a bald head. Gordon cried out, fear choking him. "You! But…how!"

"How indeed." Replied the man, smiling wickedly.