Behind the Facade Read online

  The kiss was blessedly hard and quick and as he released her mouth he called across to the officer, who was now approaching, “My girlfriend here told me she’d called you. She rang you unnecessarily I’m afraid. There’s been no break-in.” He squeezed her arm, a reminder to her she had no doubt of her role and his warning, and then finally took his hands off her.

  Katherine’s head was reeling. She felt assaulted on both a mental and physical level and it took all her strength to resist the overwhelming and instinctive urge to retaliate. Instead she plastered what she hoped was a convincing smile on her face as the policeman approached.

  “Evening Miss,” he said in greeting. He introduced himself as Police Constable Anthony Connor, produced a notebook and asked, “Were you the lady that made the report?”

  She nodded and the officer’s gaze lingered on her a little while, no doubt taking in her dishevelled hair and flushed face. It was then that she fully appreciated how crafty the man had been as Officer Connor would undoubtedly put this down to the kiss he had witnessed.

  “The weather’s quite nasty and you look frozen Miss. I’ll try not to keep you both very long. Can I just verify a few things?” He didn’t wait for a reply and simply continued, “You are Miss Pearson?” Katherine confirmed this was correct with another nod. He looked down at his notes. “I notice here that a Harry Pearson is the landlord. Is that a relation of yours?”

  “Yes, that’s my father.” Kate replied.

  She felt the assessing eyes of her assailant upon her. She glanced towards him but switched her gaze swiftly back to the policeman, shivering not only from the cold but also from the undisguised hostility she had seen in his eyes.

  “I’d normally have to notify him if there’s been a security breach.”

  Kate was about to affirm that this was quite alright when the stranger stepped in and countered, “I don’t think that is necessary, officer. There’s no sign of an intruder or any disturbance. I’ve been inside and I think it was just a system fault. No need to trouble Mr. Pearson. I’ll mention it to Harry tomorrow, myself.”

  The policeman now gave his full attention to her partner, carefully considering the man beside her, who Kate noticed held himself confidently under his scrutiny. “And your name, Sir?” asked the officer.

  Katherine wondered how he would respond. When he gave out Robert’s name without hesitation, her heart sank. Her thoughts turned once more to Robert. What if he was dead already or in need of medical attention? She trembled, torn between the desire to give the policeman some positive sign that there was a problem and knowing that, if she did, she could be putting all of them in immediate and mortal danger. A bomb explosion would certainly ruin any chances for Robert’s survival and might injure them as well.

  The officer continued with, “You have authority to enter the building Sir, I take it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Can I see some credentials?”

  Kate held her breath. Would he be able to produce this? Should she do something? What if her assailant couldn’t comply with this request and now panicked and set off the bomb?

  As if fate had intervened, this crisis point was interrupted by a loud bleep and an electronically distorted voice. Officer Connor excused himself and turned away, lifting a walkie-talkie to his ear. After a few moments, he turned back to them and said, “I’m sorry but I have to go. There’s a more urgent matter I’ve been called to deal with.”

  “Thank you both for your co-operation. I have your details so I’ll send someone to make further checks on Monday morning. Is the building now secured?” he queried.

  Her attacker nodded and said, “Everything’s back online now. False alarm I think. Sorry to ‘ave wasted your time.”

  The police officer seemed satisfied with this and after wishing them good night walked back to his car. Katherine watched him get in the car whip it around and drive speedily away. With him left any last vestige of hope she had harboured.

  As soon as the vehicle was out of sight her captor grabbed her arm. However, Katherine had anticipated this and spun around, letting all her pent up fear and frustration out, as she lunged at him with her free arm. He only just dodged her strike and grabbed her attacking arm, seconds before her nails bit into his cheek.

  He held both her arms in check and said, “Just calm down, will you? I’m not gonna harm you.”

  She didn’t believe him. He’d planted a bomb and she could identify him. Taking in his demeanour and clothing she couldn’t believe she had mistaken him for Robert. She’d seen what she’d wanted and expected to see. It was a blunder she would pay for, she knew that with utter certainty. He was Robert’s height maybe and had dark hair, but there any similarity ended. He was dressed completely in black. Flinty grey eyes glared out at her from under an untidy mop of coarse black hair. He looked a good ten years older than her fiancé and had an angular face with high, narrow cheekbones that gave him a slightly savage, wolfish air.

  He grasped her arms tightly now and shook her, “Why did you ‘ave to show up? You’re coming with me.” Roughly pulling her along with him, he headed towards the back of the building. Kate resisted with all her strength, trying to extricate herself from his grasp and when this failed she raged, “Let me go! Let me go!” He paid no heed, dragging her after him.

  They stumbled onto a cobbled, unlit side street. A black Mazda MX5 was parked there. He swiftly released the locking mechanism and forced her down into the passenger seat, whilst she kicked and screamed. He easily avoided her thrashing limbs and secured the seat-belt across her, slamming the door on her histrionics. She began to grapple wildly with the door handle. It was locked of course.

  As he took his seat the forbidding stranger warned, “I wouldn’t do that.”

  But instead of stopping Kate increased her efforts. She had to find some way out, some way to get back to Robert! She found herself wrenched back around by a powerful pull on her wrist. She shrieked and struggled to no avail. His hand found her throat. He leaned close, putting further pressure on her arm and pinning her to the seat with his weight. She whimpered in pain and protest, trying vainly to turn her face away from his.

  “Shut the hell up!” he spat, emphasising each word, his tone vicious. He jerked away from her.

  She trembled uncontrollably and tears now dripped slowly down her face. Her arm burned where his hand had been and she could feel the spittle he had left on her cheek. Sobs rose in her throat and she tried to smother them, afraid of another backlash.

  He started the car, revved the engine violently, and then sped out of the back street, swerving on to the main carriageway. Watching him drive Kate considered her options. She could grab the wheel but he had already demonstrated his superior strength and this would probably just annoy him further or cause an accident. Either way, the outcome was unlikely to be her freedom.

  Her mind clamped down on the panic and terror that threatened to engulf her. She had to try and stay calm and just keep alert to any opportunity that might help her to get away. She must escape and get help for Robert. If she concentrated on this positive goal maybe she wouldn’t feel so powerless and afraid.

  CHAPTER 2

  Sean’s thoughts were racing as he tried to figure out what to do now his plans had so unexpectedly changed. He’d obtained the data that he wanted, despite being interrupted, but he had anticipated no problems and little risk of discovery. Who could have known that he’d end up taking someone hostage? He glanced across at the girl again. He regretted his outburst but he’d been so vexed and her yelling had needled him beyond bearing. The fates seemed to have it in for him, or did they? Had they landed in his lap the very means of drawing out the man linked to his sister’s death?

  “You’re Katherine Pearson then?” he asked her.

  She didn’t respond.

  “Your father, Harry. He’s very wealthy isn’t he? Do you know how he makes his money?”

  “Is that why you’ve taken me? Are you expecting him to pay a ra
nsom?”

  “No. I’m Irish, love. I’m not afta money. I’m afta justice.”

  Kate looked at his implacable face and felt her heart sink. If this man couldn’t be swayed by money, what chance did she have? Was he planning to blow up the Martin de Pores building as some kind of act of revenge? Why had he taken her? Was it just to make sure no-one interfered with the bomb before it detonated?

  “If you let me go, I promise I won’t tell anyone about the bomb.”

  He just smiled and said, “Really? What kind of fool do you take me for?”

  Sean knew it had been a rash decision to take her with him. After all, her boyfriend would not remain undetected for long. However, her connection to Harry Pearson had seemed too momentous a coincidence to ignore. She was the man’s daughter! If he did not find anything incriminating on the memory stick, she could turn out to be an alternative source of information. On the other hand, if he did discover that her father was implicated in his sister’s murder, she might prove to be a very useful bargaining chip. An insidious voice whispered to him that she might be the means of exacting the revenge he so desperately sought. It was this, as yet unfounded but beguiling thought, that had compelled him to keep her within his power, especially when so much else had happened that he’d been helpless to control. He was a man used to being master of his universe.

  It was now impossible to return to his hotel without too much risk but where could he take this girl until he’d learnt more about her father’s activities and decided what to do? Where was a place he could analyse the files he’d downloaded and lie low without arousing suspicion? Should he take her to Rupert’s? He rejected this idea the moment it entered his head. Rupert was too closely associated with him and had been through enough. He racked his brains and a viable temporary hideaway came to mind. Flicking his keys he was relieved to see he hadn’t discarded the one he needed. It was some way off but he could not think of anywhere else that was remotely suitable.

  He programmed the location into his SatNav and headed out of the city. His passenger had not spoken again. She just stared rigidly through the windscreen, her face white and tense. As he studied her briefly he realised how young she was and how terrified she must be of him. He wasn’t used to being an object of terror. He turned the heater up and switched the radio on. Maybe some music would help to relax them both.

  “Loosen up a bit, darlin’,” he said.

  “I’m not your darling,” she said quietly but distinctly, the firm tone of her words betrayed by a slight but unmistakeable tremor.

  He shrugged and turned his attention back to the road. The radio filled the car with a soft vibrant melody, in direct contrast to the atmosphere within. It was a song Sean knew and liked and he unconsciously started to hum along to it. Becoming aware of her stare, he turned to look at her again.

  She didn’t look away but met his gaze, her chin trembling, “You’re disgusting,” she whispered.

  Sean smiled and responded, “Wow. I didn’t think my singing voice was that bad!”

  His attempt at humour just caused a grimace of further repugnance to cross her face. He shrugged and turned the radio off. They continued the journey in strained silence.

  Sean returned his concentration to the road, focusing on getting them to their destination. He just hoped he had made the right decision and going there would not prove to be a mistake. His attention was suddenly captured by a low grumbling sound coming from the vicinity of his passenger. She noticed him look across and blushed. It was her stomach. This reminded him that they had been travelling for some time, without having had anything to eat or drink. She looked dressed for going out, so dinner had probably been on the agenda before fate had cruelly intervened.

  He debated the matter. Could he afford to stop somewhere for refreshments? Probably not. However, he had not expected to be going on a journey of this length. He checked the petrol gauge. He might just have enough fuel but he daren’t chance breaking down. Could he risk pulling into a petrol station? Going anywhere public meant a greater chance of someone remembering them or noticing something off. She might try and bring attention to herself and he couldn’t gag her without hiding her in the boot. This would certainly cause him less aggro but he balked at the idea of squeezing her in that tiny space, like a piece of luggage. He’d just have to think of something else.

  “You hungry?” he asked her but she didn’t respond, ignoring him and staring fixedly ahead.

  He came off the road they had been travelling on, seeking a more major route and looking for some sign of a petrol station. He finally glimpsed one ahead and deliberately turned off down a quiet side road for a little way, until there was some cover in the form of trees and bushes. He stopped the car. Groping around in the glove box he uttered a grunt of satisfaction when he discovered a length of strong cord. Before she could even cry out he’d imprisoned her hands with it. She began to struggle, but this was too late and too ineffectual, and he secured them tightly, puckering the skin.

  “No!” Kate cried. “Stop! I’ll behave. You don’t have to do this!”

  He looked at her coldly. “I need to get some petrol. I have no choice.”

  The ordeal did not end there and terror reasserted its grip as he pulled off her chiffon wrap and tore a long strip off it. He reached for her legs and she kicked out at him in desperation. He gripped them firmly halting their movement as quickly as a cat pins a darting mouse and tied them deftly together with the material he had scrounged.

  He carefully checked her bonds and instructed, “I won’t be gone long, so don’t try anything daft.” He then left the car locking it behind him, only stopping to collect a petrol container from the boot.

  The moment he left Kate twisted her hands and feet trying to weaken the restraints. She even moved her hands up to her mouth, biting at the knots in the rope but with no success. Accidentally biting her lip she winced, dropping her hands and probing the sore spot with her tongue. Her jaw ached her skin burned and her bonds did not feel even the tiniest bit looser.

  She now frantically scanned the car’s dark interior searching for something, anything, that might assist her to escape or even give her some hope. She wasn’t about to heed his warning. All she could think of was Robert. He could still be inside the building, alive and unable to get help. This monster probably intended to demolish the building when as many people as possible were inside. It was likely Robert only had until Monday morning at best, and this was assuming he was not already fatally injured. His life could depend on her notifying the authorities as soon as possible.

  Kate was about to give up her search when she caught sight of the internal key control on the dash. If only she was able to press it, she thought, wouldn’t that open the car? Even if it did, how could she possibly get away trussed up like she was? Her eye then fell to the car cigarette lighter and an idea came to her. She turned the idea over in her head, then realised she had no time to question it. It might be painful but could just work and this might be the only chance she got. With some difficulty, as her movement was severely limited by her tied hands and feet, she shifted in her seat until with the high heel of her right shoe she managed to catch the cigarette lighter and activate it. She sighed in relief and remembered her earlier lecture to herself for wearing heels. Well it now looked like it had been an astute choice after all!

  Kate took in a deep breath as she prepared herself for the next step. Once the light went off and the lighter pinged out again, she pulled her legs up beneath her, groaning as the cord tying her hands scrapped abrasively against her skin. Finally she managed to get herself into a position where she was just about able to grasp the lighter between her teeth. She pulled but first time her grip was too light and her teeth just slid away from it. She moaned in exasperation. She knew her captor would spend as little time away from her as possible and could be making his way back at any minute. On her second go she managed to grip it and quickly shoved herself backwards and her legs back out from under her,
wrenching it from its slot. She was aching from the unaccustomed awkward movements but could not afford a moment’s rest.

  Kate lifted her tied hands towards her mouth and prayed that the lighter would work. When the cord, which was made of blue hemp, began to kindle and burn she almost dropped the lighter with relief. The smoke was acrid and her eyes began to water from it, but for her it was the sweet smell of success and she welcomed it. However, her skin was getting hot, something she could not avoid. The cord was thick and doubled around her wrists so she had to keep going until it was weakened sufficiently for her to pull her wrists apart. It was agony, as her skin was already chaffed and raw from testing her bonds. As it began to swell and blister she almost couldn’t bear it. All her instincts screamed for her to pull away but she was now so near to succeeding she willed herself to continue, forcing the pain to the back of her mind.

  When her wrists finally came apart she bent hurriedly to her feet and began working on untying herself but the material was too tight and her fingers were awkward, numb from lack of blood and hindered by the throbbing in her wrists. Stopping, she suddenly realised she might free her feet much more easily. She untied the strap and removed one of her shoes. With shaking fingers she hastily rolled down her stocking and with less trouble than she would have anticipated was able to slide one of her naked feet through the gap. Quickly shaking off her other shoe and pressing the internal locking button she prayed, after all her struggles, it would unlock the car. It did, but when she grasped the door handle and pushed the door open she immediately triggered the car alarm.

  Kate almost screamed in surprise at the sudden blaring sound and flashing lights. She briefly hesitated. She should have known it wouldn’t be that easy! Her captor would certainly have been alerted. Was it even worth running? She hadn’t got this far only to give up now. Almost falling onto the tarmac in her haste to get out, she quickly righted herself and, lifting her skirt, she began to run.