Abigail: Chapter 60

We woke Saturday morning to the sound of rain battering the windows. The crisp dry spell we’d been enjoying was over and it was blowing a gale outside. It was the kind of day that made you wish you could stay tucked up warm and dry inside but we had a drop-off to make and weren’t going to let a little thing like a bit of rain stop us. We spent Saturday morning holed up in one of the cafes in town drinking coffee. All three of us were twitchy with nerves and we spent much of the time just sitting in silence staring out the window at the rain.

“Did he say whereabouts in the woods to wait?” Abigail asked.

“He just said the woods, near where he left me last time.”

“And you remember where that is?”

I nodded. “Stop worrying. I know where we’re going and how we’re going to get there. We won’t be late. There’s nothing that can go wrong.”

I began to regret those words an hour later when we were standing on the side of the road watching Rob change a tyre, rain dripping off the end of his nose. We’d left in plenty of time so I knew we wouldn’t be late but it was hard to shake the thought that this was an omen.

When we eventually pulled up on the side of the road where Ryan had directed me the last time I was here, no-one was speaking. We trudged in silence through the woods, the only sound coming from our breathing as it got more laboured. When we’d walked about a mile I told Rob and Abigail to stop. There was nothing to mark this as the spot, every tree looked just like the one next to it, but somehow I knew in my gut that we were in the right place.

“Now what?” Abigail whispered.

“Now we just wait.” I said.

We stood together facing outwards, our backs touching, the rain dripping down our necks.

“Keep your eyes open. I don’t fancy any nasty surprises.”

Rob’s watch beeped to signal the top of the hour and I felt his body tense up at the sound. The blood thundered through my ears as the minutes passed. None of us spoke. I was about to reach into my pocket to check the time on my phone when I heard a twig snap somewhere off in the distance. All three of us looked up, peering out into the gloomy woods. Thanks to the rain it was impossible to see far. More time passed and I’d just started to relax when I heard the sound of a twig snapping underfoot again, closer this time. I turned and saw Ryan step out from behind a tree.

“Charlie Diamond, what a lovely surprise.” Before I could say anything he’d moved away and was standing in front of Abigail. “And this must be the lovely Mrs Rogers. I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Enough with the theatrics Ryan. Where’s Toby?” I moved in front of Abigail, blocking her from Ryan’s view. Inside I was shaking like a leaf but my voice came out strong.

“Tucked away somewhere nice and safe.” He glanced down at the bag Rob was holding. “This is for me I presume?”

“Not until you show us Toby.”

“Give me my money and I’ll tell you where he is.”

“Bring him out where we can see him or you won’t get your grubby fingers on a single note!” I was in Ryan’s face, challenging him with my eyes. I needed him to know that I meant it.

“You should watch how you speak to me Charlie Diamond. We wouldn’t want precious Toby getting hurt.”

Before I could reply there was a blinding flash and the air filled with putrid smoke. “Police! Freeze!”

Ryan screamed. “What the …” He grabbed the bag and ran into the woods, three policeman in protective clothing and masks hot on his tail.

A pair of hands grabbed me roughly from me behind. “Charlie Diamond, I’m arresting you for obstruction. You do not have to say anything but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned, something you later rely on in court.” A pair of cuffs were banged roughly against my wrists and I shrieked.

“This is absolutely outrageous! What are you arresting me for? He’s the one with the money?” I pointed after Ryan then turned round and found myself face to face with the police officer from my second visit. “You!”

“I warned you. I told you that if you didn’t keep away from Ryan Taylor I’d have you for obstruction.”

“This is ridiculous! I haven’t done anything wrong!”

“That’s what they all say.”

“But …”

“Save it for down the station.”

Rob stepped forward and held up his warrant card. “Officer, I think you’re making a mistake.”

“Do you want to join her in the van?”

Rob shook his head.

“Then I suggest you take yourself and this lady away from here. This is not your jurisdiction officer. Kindly leave the scene.”

Abigail stepped forward. “Officers, how did you find us?”

He lifted his hand and pointed at me. “When you came to see me the other day and alerted me to your professional interest in Mr Taylor, I did a little digging and …”

Abigail turned to me. “You did what?!? Charlie, you promised!”

“Hold on, I can explain …”

“You’ve said enough.” She turned back to the police officer. “Do what you want with her. She deserves everything she gets!”

“It wasn’t like that …”

I couldn’t believe this was happening. I hadn’t said a word about Toby to this man. How he’d tracked us to the woods was a mystery to me but thanks to his blundering efforts, not only had Ryan escaped, but he’d also run off with the cash and taken with it our last shred of hope of seeing Toby alive. And now, to top it all, I was getting the blame? Well if that was the way they wanted to play it, that was fine by me. I was done.

I turned to the officer, who by now couldn’t keep the delight off his face. “Come on then officer, let’s get it over with. Lead me away.”