Curse of the Ladderman: A Novella by Angela Archer

Author:Angela Archer [Archer, Angela]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PublishDrive

Chapter 6

Tuesday Afternoon

“I love you, Becky. No matter what happens, remember I love you and I want you and the baby to be happy.”

“Rik!”

“No, I’m serious. If the worst happens, promise me you’ll move on? Find someone decent, someone who doesn’t leave their socks on the landing or the dishes in the sink for days. Promise.”

“Oh, Rik. I’m not going to promise anything. I can’t. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“I wish I could hug you one last time.”

“You will, in the morning. Honestly, stop talking like this. Please.” She sobbed down the phone.

“Time to go, loverboy.” The burly frame of Detective Harry Turnbull loomed over Rik.

Rik inwardly rolled his eyes, but outwardly he flashed his eyebrows in acknowledgement. What a jackass. “I’ve got to go now, babe. Stay safe.”

“I love you.” She sniffed back her tears. Rik hung up but stared at her name on the screen of his mobile, clutching it as though it was her.

The jackass was a few feet away, gesturing towards the fire exit of the hotel.

Outside, three slick Land Rovers waited, their bodywork glistened in the dwindling sunlight. Harry waited at the first one in line.

“Ready?” Detective Golding appeared from behind.

Rik turned to see her kitted out in navy blue, a black stab vest hugging a modest frame.

“Where’s my safety gear? What do I get?” He held out his arms, expecting a bundle of safety gear.

She smiled. “You get us, now get in.”

Rik’s stomach churned. He stood still, frozen. Is this fucking real? How is this happening?

“Are you coming, or are you just going to stand there like a sacrificial lamb?”

“Right.” He shook his head. Too late to back out now. “Right. Okay.” Rik climbed into the Land Rover. Harry, the meathead, climbed into the driver’s seat and the car rocked as it adjusted to the load. Rik followed Golding onto the back seats. The engine roared into life as Harry pumped the accelerator and then sped off, jerking Rik’s head back. Double jackass.

When they reached the main road, Rik managed to speak. “Where are we heading?” His mouth was dry, his voice quiet.

“There’s an empty unit on the industrial estate.”

“Why there? Why couldn’t we stay at the hotel?”

“Too many people, too many rooms, too many exit routes. There’s only one way in and one way out of the industrial estate, and we’ve put eyes everywhere.”

“But—”

“But nothing. Just trust me, okay? We know what we’re doing.”

Rik let all the air out of his lungs and folded back into his seat. All his muscles clenched together, taking up as little room as possible. The car swung hard to the left, pressing his head and shoulder into the window. Rik rolled his eyes. Jerk.

They slowed down at the entrance, and Harry wound the window down to chat to some guy. Another guy was up a ladder fitting a black box to the top of the palisade gates.

Golding nodded towards the guy up the ladder. “See? Wireless CCTV. Eyes everywhere.” Rik managed half a smile and went back to looking out the window.

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