‘What . . . what do you want? Where’s Jason?’ Sean asked.
‘Ah, no patience, the youth of today.’ The man tut-tutted and entered the room.
Sean felt the ropes and chain loosening. Dragged to his feet, he stumbled, then straightened up. But his knees buckled once more. The man’s arm crested under Sean’s, leading him from the room. Let the bastard think he was weaker than he actually was.
The man halted outside another door and opened it. Sean felt a push in his ribs and staggered inside. The stench of vomit filled the air. Squinting, he tried to see in the darkness. On the concrete floor, Jason was lying in a foetal position, his hands covering his head. His chest and feet were bare and his jeans open at the waist.
‘You wanted to see Jason. There he is,’ the man said, trudging over to the boy on the ground.
Jason didn’t move a muscle and Sean wondered if he were asleep or even dead. What was going on? Should he run? In the time it’d take him to find his way out, Jason could be dead. Instinctively, he knew the bastard was going to kill both of them.
Urging up a well of energy, Sean quickly ran back into the hallway, pulled the door and turned the key in the lock. Maybe he was consigning Jason to his death, but if he had this chance to escape, he was taking it.
He breathed a sigh of relief leaning against the door, then turned to find his way out of the building. And stopped. The man was standing in front of him, a rope in his hands.
‘How . . . how . . .?’ Sean stammered, his feet grounded to the floor.
The man grabbed his arm and twisted the rope in a knot around Sean’s wrist and around his hands. Sean kicked out, catching the man’s knee. He’d aimed for the groin. Missed. Turning, he pulled on the rope, trying to get away, all his energy concentrated on escape.
‘Stop it,’ the man wheezed, catching Sean and doubling the rope around his waist, restraining his movement instantaneously. Now disabled, Sean collapsed against the man.
‘Where did you come from? How did you—?’
‘Did you ever hear of a room with two doors?’
The key turned and the door opened once more. Sean was pushed inside.
‘Have a nice chat,’ the man said. ‘I’ll be back.’
There was no sound from Jason. Arms still bound, Sean crawled over to him.
‘You okay, bud?’
Jason groaned, sounding like an animal caught in a trap. Sean had heard a sound like that once before, the only time his dad had taken him hunting. What would a hunter do, if he were trapped? Thoughts twisted around in his head and he switched his mind to his PlayStation games. Maybe he would find an answer in the virtual world – he always won in that domain. Closing his eyes, he gently laid his bound hands on Jason’s shoulder.
‘We’ll get out. Don’t worry,’ he whispered. But he wasn’t so sure.
Ninety-Five
‘Did our tech guys find anything on Susan’s phone?’ Lottie asked.
‘They’re working on it,’ Kirby said. ‘But I doubt there’s anything different to what we got from the service provider. The only calls were to and from work. She didn’t appear to be into texting. Oh, and Tom Rickard is ringing here every five minutes.’
‘We’ll get Jason’s disappearance on the six o’clock news. You have a photograph?’
‘Got this off the lad’s Facebook page,’ Kirby said, waving a photo at Lottie. ‘Not a bad-looking kid. Ugly tattoo though. Is your Katie going out with him?’
‘I suppose she is,’ Lottie said, tired of small talk. At least Boyd had a knack of lightening a banal situation. She missed him. She took up her phone to ring the hospital.
Corrigan put his head around the door.
‘Cathal Moroney is at the desk asking for you,’ he said, pointing an accusatory finger at Lottie.
‘It’s okay. I want to see him. About Tom Rickard’s son,’ Lottie said, putting away her phone.
Cathal Moroney edged by Corrigan into the office.
‘How did you get up here?’ Lottie stood up.
‘I smiled at the lovely young one at the desk,’ Moroney said.
Corrigan backed out of the office. Kirby gathered a couple of files and shuffled off after him. Moroney sat himself at Boyd’s desk without being asked. Lottie was about to object but decided she needed Moroney on her side.
‘What’s this about another body?’ Moroney switched on his phone recorder. ‘Can I get my camera crew to the scene?’
‘In a minute. First I need your help,’ Lottie said, trying to be polite. ‘And turn that off.’
Moroney made a dramatic display of holding up his phone and putting it in his inside jacket pocket. ‘How can I be of service?’
She showed him the photo of Jason Rickard.
‘Is he dead?’ Moroney asked.
‘I hope not. He’s the son of the developer, Tom Rickard, Rickard Construction. He’s missing and we need help in locating him. Can you run a story on the evening news?’ She passed over the details.
‘Is this connected to the murders?’
‘Not that we’re aware of.’
‘Is it on Facebook and Twitter?’
‘Yes. We’re monitoring social media for any response. I’d appreciate some television coverage.’ It was galling her to be nice to Mr Mega Watt.
She handed him another photograph. ‘We’re also looking for this man.’
‘I recognise him.’ Moroney tapped the picture. ‘Can’t put a name to the face though. Did he used to have a beard?’
‘Derek Harte,’ Lottie said.
‘The bollocks who abused that kid up in Dublin six or seven years ago? Isn’t he behind bars?’
‘Not any more.’
‘A convicted sex abuser and a missing teenager. Come on Inspector, I didn’t come down in the last shower. Enlighten me. Why do you want his mug-shot on the news?’ Moroney leaned over the desk, a spark of interest glinting in his eye.
Lottie had to be careful with her words. Realistically she couldn’t say he was a suspect, she might be sued. Better to keep the reporter in the dark on that issue.
‘We are concerned for Jason Rickard’s safety. We need to locate Derek Harte. Can you help us?’ she smiled, sweetly.
‘Certainly,’ Moroney said. ‘Your face is healing up nicely, Inspector.’
‘Just concern yourself with the faces in those two photographs, Mr Moroney.’
After eventually getting rid of Moroney, Lottie found Chloe and Katie standing outside her office.
Chloe held a pizza box and a two-litre bottle of Coke.
‘We thought you could do with an energy boost. Bet you haven’t eaten all day,’ she said.
‘You’re just like your granny,’ Lottie said, ‘and of course you’re right. I haven’t eaten.’
She led the girls into the office. ‘Where’s Sean?’ she asked.
‘Haven’t seen him,’ Chloe said. ‘Must be at Niall’s.’
Katie sat herself at Boyd’s desk. ‘Mam, where could Jason be?’
‘We’re looking for him. Don’t you be worrying.’
Chloe perched on the edge of Lottie’s desk. ‘He’s probably having a weed party somewhere. You’re just jealous.’