I reached the corner of his wall seconds later, glancing around me to make sure no one was watching. Once I was sure, I took a run up then jumped, catching the top of the stonework, lifting myself up onto it.
I was only on top for a brief second before dropping down the other side, landing behind the rose bushes in the dead space that had a thin gap leading through the bushes out onto the lawn. Above me to the right was another camera, this one pointing onto the lawn.
Reaching up, I snapped the camera off its mooring, twisting it so it pointed up at the sky. By the time they sent someone out to work out what had happened, I’d be in. I moved to the edge of the lawn and took a quick glance to make sure the coast was clear. I could hear a quiet conversation over by the house.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped out, not running, just walking. Without the camera looking my way, someone would have to be right on top of me to realise I wasn’t just another guard on patrol. I crossed to the house, forcing myself to still walk slowly.
Once I got to the wall of the house, I peered round the corner, seeing two guards in conversation. I pulled out the gun and aimed. With a squeeze of the trigger, the first man went down, the tip of the dart visible in his neck. The second barely had time to make the first squawk of alarm before I took him out, his body falling on top of the first. They wouldn’t wake for at least ten minutes and by then I should be long gone with Isabel.
I got past their sprawled forms and was just about to pull open the kitchen window when I heard an engine starting. Running on, I avoided the next camera by hugging the wall for the few seconds it took to get past it, then I was able to see out onto the driveway.
A convoy of cars was heading out onto the street and I cursed as I saw Isabel’s face peering out from the rearmost car. There were white ribbons across the bonnet, Tony was clearly wasting no time in getting the wedding over with. Then she’d be locked in the basement while he went to work on her until she was willing to be Kingsley’s submissive little wife. It was sickening to think of it.
I shook my head. No time for emotions. Deal with them later. For now, focus on getting her away from him. Everything else can wait.
The garage was still open and his second favourite red sports car was just sitting there, as if it was ready for me. The key was hanging on the hook by the door same as always and it was the work of seconds for me to join the back of the convoy, hoping Tony was too stupid to look behind him out the rear window. If he did, he’d see my blank face staring back at him.
They drove for twenty minutes and all the time, I could see Isabel, still staring out of the side window. I wanted to race in front of his car, force it to a stop and grab her. I kept driving though, knowing there was no way I could handle that many people at once, I’d be dead before I even got to her. Then she’d have no one to protect her from Kingsley.
When the cars pulled up outside a church, I drove on past, pulling up around the next corner before climbing out, looking for a back entrance. I found it a few seconds later, a wooden door in the side of the church that clearly entered a sideroom of some kind. I prayed that it wouldn’t be locked. Not sure exactly what my plan was, I tried the handle and it swung open, allowing me into the church.
THIRTY-ONE
ISABEL
I climbed out of the car and looked up at the church, the spire blocking out the sunlight. The doors were open but I didn’t feel welcomed by the place, I felt as if I was walking along the path to my own demise, a feeling that grew stronger when I saw the gravestones lining the path.
I tried to turn away at the last second but Tony gripped my arm, still smiling but with a vice-like hold of me as we walked inside. People lined the pews, all of them looking perfectly respectable. Did they know I was here against my will? Did they care?
I walked slowly forwards, dragging my feet as a man at the front by the altar turned to look at me. That was Kingsley then, the man I was supposed to marry. He looked more miserable than me.
Behind him was the vicar, looking more like a monk than anything else. He had a cowl covering his head, a long robe that brushed the floor. In his hands was a small black book which he opened as I approached.
“Before we begin,” he said, still looking downwards. Was he feeling guilty about doing this? Was that why he wouldn’t even look at me? “I must speak to the bride and groom to be in my chambers.”
He turned and shuffled off, Kingsley following him. “I’ll be right here,” Tony said, letting go of my arm at last. “Don’t try anything stupid.”
I didn’t reply. There was no need. He knew I wasn’t going to do anything. I walked through the door into the vicar’s private room. “Close the door,” the vicar said, moving behind a low wooden table.