Hunted (24 page)

“Forest,” said Riley. “It’s remote and perfect for hunting.” He looked out of the window. “Full moon, no wind. Perfect conditions.”

“Let’s get up there,” said Rachel, already pulling on her jacket. She rushed into the living room. “We think we know where he is.”

Gill, Rick and Leah all looked at her hopefully. “Have you told the police?”

“They’re checking out the suspect’s houses but we don’t think he’s there, we think he’s in Dartmoor Forest.”

“You’re not going up there?” said Gill. “It’s so dangerous and what if you get lost or injured?”

“I won’t. I’ll have a lot of back-up,” she said, nodding at the others.

Rick put a hand on his wife’s arm when she attempted to protest again. “Go bring him home sweetheart.”

She kissed them all one by one. “I will.”

“Beth, you’re staying here,” said Riley when she followed them all to the door. “Please, for me,” he added when she looked annoyed.

She couldn’t resist his pleading eyes, knew he was only concerned for her safety. He had enough to do without worrying about her. “Okay.”

“Thank you,” he smiled, kissing her before following the others outside.

“They’ll be fine,” said Rick, getting up and putting an arm around her shoulders. They watched from the window as they all jumped into Battler’s four by four and set off with a screech of tyres.

Inside the vehicle Rachel checked her taser was in working order and Jules stroked the knives in their sheaths. Battler drove while Bruiser got on the phone to Mikey and Jez to tell them where to meet them. As they drove past the press gathered at the gates Rachel thought they were fortunate Battler’s vehicle had tinted glass.

Riley checked the night vision goggles. “I had a feeling these would come in handy,” he said solemnly. “Ever used them before?”

Jules nodded. “Jasper liked to use them in bed.” When they all looked at her incredulously she added, “don’t ask.”

“I wasn’t going to,” said Bruiser.

The corner of Jules’s mouth twitched. “I can always get him to talk.”

“Can we please focus?” said Rachel. “Now, what’s the best way of tracking two serial killers and getting Ryan out safely in a forest in the dark?”

“We need to split up,” said Riley.

“Not a good idea. We’re stronger together,” said Battler from the driving seat.

“There’s too much ground to cover and as a group we’d make too much noise,” replied Riley. “Groups of two will move much more stealthily, converging on one location.”

“Like a pincer movement,” said Jules. “Like it.”

“Battler and Bruiser, obviously, Mikey and Jez, me and Jules. Rachel, you might be best waiting in the car.”

“I love you Riley but you can get to fuck,” she said.

“Ryan won’t want us dragging you in there.”

“You’re not dragging me because I’m going to run in willingly. He’s my husband and I’m going to get him out.”

“I don’t think…”

“We’ve never kept Rachel out of anything,” said Battler. “No matter how bad its got she’s been in the thick of it. She can take care of herself.”

“Thank you Battler,” she said.

“Remember what happened last time?” said Riley, gesturing to her neck.

“I was taken by surprise then. I can handle this Riley. Anyone who tries to stop me is going to get a taser up their arse.”

Her eyes were jet black, melding in with the gathering darkness, voice icy cold and steady.

“Okay,” sighed Riley. “In that case you can come with me and Jules.”

“Good,” she said, glowering through the window.

Rachel tuned the rest of them out and focused on keeping herself calm, resisting the urge to tap her foot. She attempted to push all emotion aside, she had to be cool and professional about this because if she charged in there out of control she would be no use to anyone and she’d put Ryan in even more danger.

Please be alive, please be alive,
she prayed over and over. He’d come for her so many times. She would not let him down.

CHAPTER 25

Orion’s frantic pacing and mumbling had trailed off as darkness approached and now he was as still as a statue, rigid and unblinking in a corner of the room, his breathing harsh and heavy. Ryan knew he was psyching himself up for the hunt, revelling in the thought of what was to come.

Actaeon was still on the ground, his condition worse. He was barely breathing now, all his fight to live gone. He stared up at the ceiling with vacant eyes, seeing nothing. Ryan hoped he got the chance to dump him in his own chest freezer.

Ryan crouched in the corner of the room, watching as Orion unlocked the metal cabinet and took out a rifle then started to load it. Real bullets this time, not tranquiliser darts.

“Did you kill the others with that?” he said.

“I killed Daniel Tebbs, George Romer and your close personal friend John Owen. This is Actaeon’s rifle. I’m using it in honour of him, so he can still be part of the hunt. He killed Luke Jones and Peter Everill with it.”

So three two to Orion, thought Ryan. Even though he was the dominant one in their partnership he wasn’t the most proficient killer. Orion was. Shit. Then it occurred to Ryan there was a discrepancy in Orion’s statement. “Just a minute, that’s only five. Eight men went missing.”

“I’m a crack shot,” continued Orion as though he hadn’t heard, stroking the barrel of the rifle like it was a woman. “I only miss if I choose.” He cocked the rifle. “And I won’t miss tonight.” He stood over Ryan, cradling the rifle. “On your feet.”

“And if I refuse?”

“Then I’ll break one of your kneecaps. I wouldn’t rate your chances of running then.”

“I thought I had to be in pristine health, according to your rules.”

“Everything changed after what you did to Actaeon. I don’t mind hunting a lame duck if it’s you.”

Ryan slowly climbed to his feet, hoping some miracle would happen and his friends would burst in armed to the teeth. He looked to the door. Nothing. He was on his own. But he wasn’t down yet. Orion had to uncuff him in order to get him outside.

Keeping a safe distance away Orion pulled the keys for the cuffs from his trouser pocket. They were so close, dangling from his pudgy fingers, glinting in the light. Ryan tried to keep cool, desperately fighting the urge to snatch them from him. There before him hung freedom.

A loud beeping filled the air and to Ryan’s dismay his salvation disappeared back inside Orion’s trouser pocket.

“What’s that?” he said.

Orion ignored him and flicked on what Ryan had assumed was a television but was in fact linked up to some sort of security camera outside because the monitor flickered into life to reveal the woods. Two pairs of legs vanished off screen, although it was impossible to tell who they belonged to.

The colour rose in Orion’s cheeks, his eyes taking on that disturbing maniacal gleam. He rounded on Ryan, teeth bared, flecks of spittle on his lips. “They’re here.”

“Who?”

“Your fucking friends. They’ve tripped the motion sensor. This is your fault.”

He raised the rifle, finger squeezing the trigger and Ryan thought that was it, he was a goner. He stared down the barrel of that rifle feeling no fear, only an overwhelming sadness that he’d never get to see his wife or kids again. It was a harrowing feeling and he was completely helpless to stop it.

A grunt from Actaeon caused Orion to lower the rifle again. “No, I’ve got a much better idea,” he said, chubby face creasing into a smile. “That’s probably your bitch of a wife up there. I’m going to bring you back her head and make you eat her innards.”

“No, wait, come back here,” yelled Ryan, silenced when the butt of the rifle swung into his left cheek. His head snapped sideways and he fell onto all fours, blood dripping from his mouth. By the time his vision had cleared Orion had gone.

Ryan spat blood onto the floor and sat back on his haunches, trying to shake off the fuzziness that had gripped his brain from the hard blow. But Orion’s violence had backfired on him because the punch had agitated Ryan’s already upset stomach and he vomited into a corner of the room, bringing undigested pieces of John Owen back up. He frowned down at the mess on the floor, both revolted and relieved he’d got that out of his system. Things were finally starting to look up. Rachel was here, he knew it and she hadn’t come alone, she was probably accompanied by Battler and Bruiser. Mikey and Jez would have come up from Manchester too. But they were all city born, used to facing enemies in the concrete jungle, not darkened woods. They were out of their depth and they had no idea what was coming at them.

Recalling the keys in Orion’s pocket he wondered if Actaeon had some too. He tried to reach for the man but the cuffs wouldn’t allow his arms to stretch out all the way and he remained so close yet so far. Instead Ryan lay on his back, stretched out his legs, which had more freedom, and managed to hook his right foot under Actaeon’s right leg. He placed his left foot against the right to create a hook and pulled. Actaeon moved a couple of inches before he slipped from his grasp.

“Shit,” said Ryan.

He tried again, only this time Actaeon started to come round and tried to shrug his leg free. Ryan ground his teeth together, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he put all of his lower body strength into pulling a heavy man towards him using only his legs. He felt Actaeon’s knuckles weakly pummelling his leg, digging into his calf muscle, which was uncomfortable but not enough to stop him.

When he was closer Ryan released him, sat up, grabbed one of his arms and pulled him towards him. Actaeon tried to stop him, hands flailing, slapping at him like a little girl. One punch to the face soon made him stop. Ryan hit him again then again not to subdue him, that had already been done, but because it felt so fucking good.

Quickly he searched Actaeon and found a large hunting knife tucked into the back of his trousers, but no key.

“Fuck.”

Ryan stared at the knife, wondering if it had been used to remove parts from their victims to be eaten, the blade was certainly sharp and mean enough. Rage filled him and he punched Actaeon again, just because he could. Then he spied the radio on his belt and inspiration struck.

Rachel crept through the undergrowth, Riley ahead of her, Jules behind. He’d insisted on them following in his footsteps so they wouldn’t do something silly like stand on a twig or fall into any traps. All three of them were wearing night vision goggles to avoid the necessity for torches. The others had separated off from them in accordance with Riley’s directions that would allow them to search the terrain in the most efficient way possible.

Rachel strained for the slightest sound but there was nothing but the noises of the night and the soft rustle of leaves beneath their boots. She was glad Riley was here, if a situation called for an SAS soldier this had to be it.

There was a loud crackle to their left, like static, bursting into the night air. All three of them went still, heads turning, attempting to locate the source of the noise. There was a blur of movement, the snapping of a twig and automatically Rachel started moving in its direction.

“Stop,” whispered Riley.

He grabbed her right arm, his grip so tight it was like a vice and she couldn’t go any further. She was pulled down to the mossy ground, Jules crouching behind her.

“Did you hear that?” he whispered into the radio.

“Yeah,” replied Battler. Jez’s voice gave the affirmative too.

“Follow me.” Riley looked over his shoulder at Rachel and Jules. “You two, stay here.”

“But…”

“Let us know if you hear that noise again. Guide us,” said Riley.

Rachel could see his logic, but she was still annoyed at being left behind. “Fine,” she said.

He patted her hand before moving off in a crouch, covering the ground quickly. Ahead she saw four other shapes join his before they all melded into the darkness together.

Silenced reigned once more. Rachel stared up at the sky. If the situation hadn’t been so dire she might have been able to appreciate how pretty it was, dotted with stars. In fact it was so clear she could make out some constellations, Orion’s belt gleaming brightly. She glanced at Jules, who was leaning back against a tree looking cool and calm. Her new sister-in-law had gone up hugely in her estimation, she’d been there when she’d needed her. No matter the outcome of tonight she determined to try and build a relationship with her.

They both froze and looked at each other when they heard a whisper.

“Did you…,” began Rachel quietly.

Jules nodded.

Rachel crept forward on her hands and knees, being careful of where she put her weight down, like Riley had told her. The whispers grew slightly louder, more frantic, as though someone was in a desperate conversation. The silence of their radios told them it wasn’t coming from the others in their group. It was hard to tell where the sound was coming from so she moved forward again, Jules right behind her. Suddenly the figure broke into a run, still frantically hissing and Rachel was on her feet and chasing after them, thinking of nothing but reaching them. It was the bastard who’d taken Ryan, she knew it, and she was going to fucking have them.

“Orion, can you hear me you bastard?” Ryan said into Actaeon’s radio. “I’ve got hold of your little friend and I’m hurting him. Can you hear?”

Although it was distasteful to him he grabbed Actaeon’s crotch and twisted, making him squeal, despite his injured throat.

“Leave him alone, haven’t you hurt him enough?” came back Orion’s slightly hysterical voice.

“I’m going to gouge one of his eyes out now. I’ll pop it right out of his head and make him eat it, give him an idea of what he’s put me through. Want to hear him really scream Orion?”

Ryan pressed his thumb into the corner of Actaeon’s left eye and applied pressure, making the eyeball bulge over the lid. Actaeon thrashed and screeched, unable to release a full-blown yell because of his injured throat.

“Stop it, stop it,” panted Orion’s voice.

“Oh dear, the left one just popped out,” said Ryan when the eyeball plopped onto Actaeon’s cheek, still attached to the socket by the optic nerve. He yelped in horror before releasing a low moan, body shaking. Ryan hoped he didn’t go into shock and die on him before he’d finished getting his own back. “Get your fat arse back down here right now Orion or I’ll take the right one too.”

“You sick fucker.”

“Takes one to know one. You’d better be quick, you don’t want him to be completely blind, do you,” he said, pressing his thumb to Acateon’s one remaining eye, eliciting more squeals.

“I’m on my way, just leave him alone.”

“Move it fat boy. Let’s hope you don’t have a coronary before you get here.”

Ryan dropped the radio, rolled Actaeon onto his side and drew the hunting knife from his belt. He pulled himself into the corner - being careful not to sit in the puddle of his own vomit - and hauled Actaeon up to a sitting position, his head falling forward, the eye swinging about like a pendulum, his breath coming out in shallow pants. Ryan managed to manoeuvre him in front of himself so he was a human shield then held the knife to his throat, pressing the blade against the carotid artery.

“Make one move and I’ll cut you open like you did to your victims,” said Ryan. Things were starting to swing in his favour. Orion was moving away from Rachel and he had Actaeon at his mercy. He’d get out of this yet.

Orion’s presence was announced loudly. There was the sound of footsteps slapping their way down the stairs then he burst into the room, breathing almost as loudly as Actaeon, sweat running down his face, which was the colour of a tomato, a large ugly one. He screeched to a halt, shocked by the damage that had been done to his friend in such a short space of time.

“No. What have you done to his eye? He has such pretty eyes.”

“What an odd thing to say,” said Ryan from behind Actaeon’s head. “Drop the gun.”

“Not a fucking chance. I’m going to blow your head off you bastard.”

“Ah, ah, ah,” said Ryan, digging the blade into Actaeon’s neck, drawing blood. “Drop it or I will cut his throat. If you want to stop me you’ll have to shoot through him.”

Orion hopped from one foot to the other, looking like a scared little boy again, seeking guidance from his friend. “What do I do?” he said, eyes welling with tears.

“Better make your mind up quickly,” said Ryan, jabbing the knife into him again. Actaeon was absolutely rigid in his arms and Ryan was amazed he was still conscious after everything that had been done to him. He was a strong bugger, he had to give him that.

“Alright, I’ll put it down. Just please stop hurting him. I need him.”

“Then I suggest you hurry before he loses any more blood.”

Slowly Orion placed the rifle on the floor.

“Kick it over here.”

“But…”

When Ryan placed the blade horizontally against Actaeon’s throat, ready to cut, he exclaimed, “I’ll do it, I’ll do it.”

“Wise decision. The last time I did this to someone I almost took their head off. They made me really angry.”

Orion kicked the gun but not hard enough and it settled in the middle of the floor between them.