He walked back in. ‘Come here, kid.’
I glance down at my scared child and nod. ‘It’s okay.’ I kiss her on the head and she reluctantly leaves my side.
He opens the box and my little girl stands there, open-mouthed. ‘Right, let’s get this boat moving. Cally, back on the seat. If you’re good, you can play with your present later. I can’t trust you yet so I’m going to have to pop this on your wrist.’ He grabs a coil of rope and uses the knife to cut a length. He grips Cally’s wrists and holds them in front of her. ‘Keep them like that.’ He wraps the rope around her skinny wrists several times and then ties it in knots over and over again. ‘Now for your feet.’ He does the same with her feet.
Cally does exactly as she is told. She now fully understands the situation and it breaks my heart that she has to at five years old. She is literally complying for her life, just like me.
‘There, now be good girls. Any problems and this one will go overboard,’ he says as he points at Cally, making a diving action with his hand. ‘Understand?’ We both nod. ‘One more thing, have a drink.’ He holds the cup to Cally’s mouth. She recoils. ‘It’s just juice. Drink.’ She drinks from the cup as he pours it into her mouth then he leaves through the back door, locking it behind him.
‘That drink tasted funny, Mummy.’
I saw him bring the juice with him, already made up.
‘Mummy, I feel a bit funny.’ She yawns.
Every muscle in my body is tense. He’s drugged my child and I hate him. We are now moving up the canal. I start fiddling with the binds around my hands. Cally has barely touched them but I do feel a weakness in the knot. ‘It’s okay, baby girl. Go to sleep. When you wake up, it will all be over.’
Seconds later, the rhythmic chugging begins and the faint smell of fuel enters the galley. We’re moving closer to Omar’s death and potentially our own. I can’t let him hurt Cally and the same goes for Grant. Mrs Abidar has already lost her husband, I won’t let her lose Omar and I won’t lose Cally.
The box begins to move as something is scratching to escape.
She mumbles like she’s drunk. ‘Mummy, Thumper is scared.’ Then her head falls heavy on my shoulder and her breathing deepens. I’ve never felt so terrified and alone.
FIFTY-EIGHT
WEDNESDAY, 6 APRIL
‘With Cally and Annabel’s life in danger, we need this door down now.’ They had knocked and shouted ‘police’ but Evan Bryson had not answered. It was obvious that he wasn’t in.
O’Connor came from around the back, leaving PC Smith watching the garden. ‘No sign of him or of anyone being in.’
‘Right. We’re going in.’
PC Smith moved to the front and held the enforcer before giving all he had to get the door open. On the second slam, the door gave way and bounced against the wall. ‘We’re in, guv.’
Gina twisted her stab vest a little so that it was comfortable and led the way. ‘Police, we have a warrant to search the property.’ There wasn’t a sound. ‘Cally, Annabel?’ Again, no reply. ‘Omar?’ She reached out and turned on the hall light. Nodding back, Wyre, PC Kapoor and O’Connor stepped in. She nodded to O’Connor and Kapoor to head upstairs and they nodded their reply. Gina shifted past the sideboard in the hall but there was hardly any room. The whole area felt cramped. She peered into the living room, which was a mirror of Annabel’s next door. The old leather settee was opposite the fireplace and the TV was tucked on a brick-built stand in the corner. She glanced in every corner. ‘Clear.’
‘Ouch.’ Wyre walked into the sideboard, nudging it slightly.
Gina followed her into the kitchen, turning the light on as she brushed past the switch. A plastic cup sat on the side. Gina put on a pair of latex gloves and opened the top. It smelled like juice and the cup was almost empty. Next to it was a plate containing a sandwich with a missing bite. ‘Looks like someone never finished their food.’
‘Guv?’ O’Connor shouted to her from the landing. ‘Get up here, now.’
‘Keep looking through the kitchen. Open the drawers, open everything.’
‘Yes, guv.’ Wyre began searching as Gina ran up the stairs. ‘What have you found?’
‘His laptop and some paperwork. It’s not password protected. Check out his emails.’
Gina stood in front of O’Connor and began reading the one that was on the screen.
Hiya mate,
I’m loving Amsterdam. The boats here are awesome which is why I’ve rented one to stay in while I work here. You’d love it. Maybe soon we can organise a boys’ break, you, me and Grant. It’s the best place ever. If I wasn’t working so hard, I’d have a chance to enjoy it more but hey, it pays for my bills and boat.
Thanks again for looking after the Raspberry and I’ll pay you for the paint job when I see you next. If you want to take her for a run up the canal, just do it. Stratford is the best, you can head on to the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal. Don’t know why I’m telling you that as you probably did this route with your boat when it was at Bidford. I guess I’m just saying, you can take her for a substantial run. Take your fishing gear and have a good time. I like her to have a run out and I know how much you miss your boat. Grant never appreciated the one he bought off you which is why it’s knackered. So sad to see. I know it needed some work but it could have been restored. Not anymore.
Anyhow, I’ll give you a bell next week. Keep an eye on my gorgeous little niece and if you see her, tell Cally that Uncle Seth will bring her something nice back.
