Hooker(77)

‘What’s your plan?’

‘As I said, Jade’s phone is there, but that doesn’t necessarily mean she is.’ He’s right, M would be crazy to leave her in that house where we could easily find her. ‘However, I do happen to know there’s a passageway that leads to a secret room. I stumbled across the floorplans a few years ago. If Jade is in the house, my guess is that’s where M’s keeping her.’

‘She’s there, I know it.’ Although I’m relieved we finally have something to go on, my concern for Jade only deepens. I saw firsthand how that bitch manhandled Jade that day she came to retrieve her, and that was in front of other people. God only knows what she’d do when they’re alone.

‘Don’t get ahead of yourself,’ he says. ‘There’s a good possibility, but I won’t know until I look.’

‘So go and fucking look.’

‘You know as well as I do that I can’t just barge in there. We have to be smart. I’ve been parked out in the street for the past few hours, waiting for everyone to leave and for M to retire for the night. I’m getting ready to go in now. That’s why I’m calling. If I need backup, I’ll let you know. If something happens and I don’t come out, at least you know M is responsible for Jade’s disappearance. I know you won’t rest until you find her.’ His voice cracks slightly as he speaks.

‘Jesus, Rupert.’

‘I’ll call you as soon as I know.’

‘Please do, and for God’s sake, be careful.’

Despite what he says, there was no way I can just sit here and do nothing. I head straight for the car.



Twenty minutes after Rupert called me I’m parked not far from M’s house. There’s still no word from him. I’ll give him ten more minutes, and then I’m going in.

A few minutes pass before my phone rings and I jump. I’m on edge.

‘I found her,’ Rupert says when I answer. I can’t explain the emotions I feel when I hear those words. Thank Christ.

‘How is she? Is she okay?’ I ask, exiting the car and walking towards the front gates of the property. The house is bathed in darkness.

‘She’s not in a good way. I’m going to need you to call an ambulance. I’m getting ready to move her now.’

‘What the fuck? What do you mean she’s not in a good way? What did that bitch do to her?’ Jesus. I’ll fucking kill her.

‘She’ll be okay. Don’t panic. I think she’s been drugged, because she’s barely conscious. I’ve gotta get her out of here before we’re discovered. Can I rely on you to get the paramedics? She really needs to be seen to as soon as possible.’

‘Of course. I’ll do anything for her, you know that.’

My hands are trembling as I dial triple zero. I can’t give them any more information other than what Rupert told me, but they assure me help was on its way. My heart beats furiously against my rib cage as I pace outside the wrought iron gates, waiting for Rupert to emerge with Jade.

Dread fills me when I see a light come on in the upper level of the house, followed by another. M must be awake. Instinctively, I set about climbing the eight-foot-high fence. As I’m sprinting down the long driveway towards the house, I hear the sirens in the distance. Help is on its way.

I hear the distinct sound of a gunshot coming from inside the house as I near the front door.

I freeze.



BROCK

I recover quickly and, after removing my gun from my shoulder holster, I reach for the doorhandle. By some grace of God, it’s unlocked. Thank you, Rupert. My heart is beating out of my chest, but I try to remain focused. This is the kind of thing I’m trained for. Unlike in other situations, though, my whole existence seems to be riding on the outcome of this one.

Please let Jade be okay.

The foyer is bathed in darkness, but I can see light streaming from a room at the back of the house. I head quietly in that direction, stopping briefly when I reach the doorway. I take a deep breath and raise my gun.

With my back to the wall, I peer inside the room. My eyes immediately scan the area. Jade is lying on the floor, unmoving. Her wrists and feet are bound. A combination of fear and fury rises inside me at the sight. Rupert is lying beside her, blood seeping from his shoulder. Rupert’s not moving either, but his moaning tells me he’s still alive. For how long, I can’t say. His injury looks bad and there’s a pool of blood beside him. I’m unsure of the severity of Jade’s injuries. I can’t see any blood from here, but she doesn’t appear to be conscious. Please let her be alive.

M’s standing a few metres away with a gun trained on Rupert. I need to disarm that bitch.