Weapon of Desire (34 page)

S
itting in silence we wait in our parked cars along the tree lined road. I’m secretly praying for this to be all over and back home once again. Frederick asks Marie a question in German and she looks back in the mirror with a gleeful smirk “When I give the signal put a bullet in her head and get rid of the body. Don’t get blood over my leather seats!”

My jaw drops as I erupt
hurling myself forward. “You promised you’d let me go, you LYING BITCH!”

She turns to face me with a twisted evil smile “I didn’t promise you anything.”

I’m hysterical “Why are you doing this to me? You have what you wanted.”

“Because he deserves to suffer the way my father suffered when Anna shot his parents dead……………An eye for an eye Darcey!” She picks up her mobile phone.

“He doesn’t know you’re related, does he?” I’m disgusted at how far she was prepared to go to retrieve the key. “Anthony trusted you.”

“So what! Do you think I’
m honestly interested in his feelings, marrying him and having his children?” She sniggers reading a text message looking around.

“He wants to be happy with me, why can’t you just let him have his life back?” I screech leaning further forward as Frederick’s firm hand pulls me back.

“You’ve already taken Joanna’s life, Anthony is agreeing to hand you the key. Just let us go.” I’m so close to pleading for her to leave us alone.

“Darcey
he doesn’t want to be with you! Where do you think he was that night after the restaurant; when Frederick attacked you in your car? How about the night when he was so angry because you met with Daniel, yes he was with me!” Her vicious tongue cuts through me as she glares into my eyes.

I’
m gob smacked, I had no idea. Has he been sleeping with her all along? Was he lying when he said he loved me and wanted to spend the rest of his life with me? I look down feeling ashamed and pathetic, how could I have been so stupid to think that he’d be in love with me? He comes from a wealthy family, is deliriously hot and can have his pick of any woman he wants.

“They’re here.” Marie picks up her brief
case. “Let’s go.” She turns to check that Frederick is ready. “Goodbye Darcey, I won’t be seeing you again.”

Without lifting my head
I ignore her farewell, I’m passed caring about the vault, the money, Anthony or anything else. This is about survival and I’m not ready to die, not just yet. The car door slams and Frederick joins her as they walk back towards the concourse.

The driver and his colleague talk briefly in German and I catch
the phrase cigarette as the driver leaves the car joining the others across the road outside their car. Their associate who is left inside the car to babysit me, sits staring backwards watching Marie and Frederick. I run my hand along the edge of my thigh and clasp the knife inside my coat pocket. Slowly I withdraw the blade, holding it tightly on my lap. He still stares through the tinted windows while I peer sideways watching him. I block out mentally what I am about to do, this is my life or his. Swinging my elbow back, I use my full strength to punch the knife into his heart.

He turns gasping for air as I stare into his shocked
, widened eyes. Holding a hand over his mouth I pull out the knife stabbing him again and again in the neck. Blood splats over my coat, down my arms and smothers my hands. He struggles a little trying to breathe and then freezes slumping sideways onto the back seat. I look down at his fixed eyes and still body; this was someone’s son, husband or father. What have I become?

Prioritis
ing my thoughts I snatch the guns from his holsters and wipe the tears away from my eyes. I have to get focused before I get myself killed. Looking down at my blood stained hands I try to form a plan in my head. My decisions are heavily influenced by my anger towards Anthony for not being honest. I’m even more determined to not give him the satisfaction of knowing how much I need him right now.

Swinging around I check that
the key has been left in the ignition; I could take the car and get away. If I reverse backwards to force their other car off the road back down the embankment, it will be unlikely that they’ll be able to follow. I can then drive forwards across the pedestrian concourse to reach the junction in front of the bank.

I now panic knowing the
y’ll try to track the car so I’ll have to dump it at the first underground station and get on a train towards the airport. Damn it! I’m going to need money. Wiping my bloodied hands down my coat I finger through the dead man’s jacket searching for his wallet. I contemplate whether my legs will be able to carry me. Found it! He has about two hundred and fifty euros. What am I thinking? How am I going to get out of the country without a passport? I need to contact Daniel; he knows people here who can help me.

The men are still chatting and smoking
as they lean against their car. Climbing into the front seat I press a button to internally lock the doors and then look back in the mirror to see Anthony and Nick meeting Marie and Frederick on the concourse.

I push the ignition button and the engine revs, the men look up curiously as the driver strides slowly back across the road. They can’t see me through the tinted glass and probably
suspect their colleague. Driving forwards turning the wheel I harshly mount the curb and then take a deep breath before reversing hard, screeching backwards slamming into the approaching driver and then towards their parked car. The two men immediately dive out of the way as I smash with full power into the side of their car. It bangs against the curb and then rolls onto its side. Perfect!

Putting the car in
to drive I pull forwards heading for the concourse. Gun shots pelt the windows but don’t penetrate the bullet proof glass. At speed I weave amongst the pedestrians until I reach Marie, Anthony and Nick. Frederick fires directly at me through the front windscreen with no impact. I can hear Nick yelling “Darcey stop” but my foot is flat down as I spin out onto the junction amid furious horns.

I breath
e deeply to calm my nerves, in my rear mirror I can see men running towards their cars but I’m in amongst the flowing traffic and making a good pace. I follow signs towards the city crossing back over the river and into the shopping district where I find an underground station.

Pulling over into a side road, I turn off the engine and look down at
my blood splattered coat. I wrap it up into a tiny bundle and take a look in the mirror at my bruised and cut face. I quickly tidy my curls and wipe away spots of blood from my cheek. Tucking the wad of money into my skirt pocket I nervously open the car door.

S
winging my boots out to meet the pavement I gradually stand feeling weak but adrenaline pumped ready to move as quickly as I can. Locking the car behind me I throw the key into the drain and discard my coat into a nearby bin. Putting one step forwards I head towards the entrance to the underground station. With each careful pace I feel stronger and more in control as I reach the station kiosk. Casting an eye over the underground map I determine my route to the airport purchasing an all zones ticket and then sluggishly I navigate the turnstiles and the escalator down to the platform.

It seems an eternity as I stand
anxiously waiting for the train to arrive. My legs wobble and my eyes wander up and down the platform looking for the men chasing me. Everyone else waits casually oblivious to my pounding heart and screaming inner voice wishing the train would hurry. The chain of yellow carriages arrives and the welcome air gushes passed my face. Sitting down I scan every face in and out of the train. Another deep breathe and the train pulls softly away.

A young lady dozes beside me with bags of shopping at her feet and a cap resting on the side of her seat. A small
American child enthusiastically plays I spy with her mother and I daydream of those innocent years with no cares in the world. Eventually we reach Berlin Central Train Station; I lean forward stealing the ladie’s cap and quickly exit the carriage through the sliding doors.

The station is heaving and chaotic with announcements every few
seconds. I sit down on a bench feeling quite sick after fighting my way through the crowds and then remember the last time I had something to eat was fifteen hours ago. I delight in the aroma of the close by fresh bakery stall and as though hypnotically drawn I can’t resist buying pastries and coffee and greedily consume within minutes. After my sugar rush I make my way to the payphones. Daniel and Lola’s home number is etched into my brain. She’ll be there as she works from home on Fridays. Hopefully she’ll be able to contact Daniel.

“Hello” Daniel answers the phone.

“Daniel you’re there, thank god.” I feel ecstatically relieved.

“Darcey is that you?” His voice is the most welcome sound right now.

“Yes, Daniel please listen I need your help, I was kidnapped last night and taken to Berlin.” I gulp hard remembering the terror of the past few hours. “I murdered a man.”

“Where are you now?” If he sounded
a little sleepy before he now is fully awake.

“I
escaped; I’m at Berlin Central Station.” I take a look around me from underneath my newly acquired cap. “Using your contacts, can you get me out of the country?”

“Of course but
we need to move you quickly, train stations and airports are the first places they’ll look. We need to get you out of Berlin and on a plane before they get organised.” Daniel eagerly snaps into action.

“Daniel
thank you, this means so much.” I sigh leaning against the payphone stand.

“Darcey
, you know I’d do anything for you.” His soft caring words sooth my frantic mind.

I smile feeling protected and loved by this man, after all his recent faults
he’s been there for me when I needed him. Concern starts to set in as I recall they’ll search for me here. “Daniel I have some money, shall I board the next train leaving for the airport?” 

“No, get a ticket out of the city to Frankfurt.
I’ve an acquaintance there. He’ll meet you at the train station with new documents and arrange a flight to Madrid.” I can hear him tapping on a keyboard. “There’s the ICE train that takes just over four hours, and leaves in 30 minutes, costs about 126 euros. Do you have enough money?”

“Yes, I’
d better head over to the ticketing office, Thank you Daniel.” I search around me trying to check the updating notice board for departing trains.

“
Darcey, I’ll tell Hector to meet you outside the currency exchange. Take care.”

Clutching my ticket I dash to the pla
tform cautious as to whether I’m being followed. The ICE train is waiting ready to depart and I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to see a train before. Settling into my seat I roll my head to release the stress that’s built up in my neck and shoulders. I think to myself what would I’ve done without Daniel?

Most of
the journey I slip in and out of a sleep state, with a visit to the ladies to wash my pale face and bloodied finger nails before having more coffee and meatballs in the restaurant car. I’m absolutely exhausted.

The t
rain arrives just before 6pm as I calmly follow the exiting weary travellers out onto the station concourse. Looking around me I see the currency exchange and cagily move towards the booth. Standing with my back to the kiosk I watch the many faces come and go and then start to doubt whether Daniel has set me up.

“Darcey?
” A man with a Spanish appearance approaches me with a smile.

“Yes”
I gingerly reply.

He holds out a
hand “I’m Hector, nice to meet you.”

“Good to meet you.” I shake his hand not taking my eyes off hi
m.

“Darcey shall we take a walk over to the bar?” He points across the concourse
as I nervously follow his lead. “Would you like a drink? I’m sure you’ve had a harrowing day.”

“
Yes, white wine please.” I stare at his reassuring face.

He orders two glasses and then
chooses seats in a quiet corner to the rear of the bar. Taking an envelope from inside his jacket he slides the package across the table. “Here are your documents, passport and flight ticket. Your name is Jessica Palmer; you now live in Spain and was born in London.”

I nod listening carefully to his instructions.

“Your flight leaves at 9.05pm and you’ll need to check in before 7pm. You land in Madrid at 10.25. Daniel will be there to meet you.” He sits back taking a sip of wine and smiles his brilliant white teeth.

“Thank you”
is all I can manage in between sips of wine.

“Do you need more money
? Daniel recommends that you buy new clothes and throw away what you’re wearing. Get rid of any evidence.” He pulls out his wallet.

“I’
ve a little left.” I watch him count out three hundred euros.

“This should be enough for you; I know how you ladies like to shop.” He takes a large gulp of wine and stands “Jessica I wish you luck with your new life in Spain, Daniel will take care of you so don’t worry.
I’ll call him to confirm you’re on your way.” He extends a hand.