Chapter 1

I sat waiting with both backdoors and the front passenger doors open, engine ticking over. These were the instructions I received for the 2,000 pound fee to drive from this location to a small rural airfield 30 kilometres away.

I knew this had to be a shady deal, one doesn't receive a payout like this for a regular taxi job. In the underground network I am known for this work. I ask no questions, and I don't want to hear who or what the people are.

It was dark at this time of the evening and out of the dim light of the streetlights, three figures came running, carrying bank dispatch bags. All this I saw in my rear-facing mirrors. Two of the men jumped into the back seats and the other came alongside me in the passenger's seat.

"Get going, as fast as you bloody well can," the front seat passenger shouted at me.

Accelerating away slammed the rear doors shut, as the car shot up the main road, heading out of the town. Coming behind was another car with blue lights flashing and siren's blaring.

It looks as if these people had cut it a bit fine and I was going to go down as an accomplice if the police manage to stop us. What I didn't expect was for the police to fire on us on a main thoroughfare, but that was what they were doing right now.

The man sitting alongside me suddenly fell forward, and a quick glance showed two bullet holes in his back which was visible on the overall suit he was wearing. Then I felt four thumps in my back as bullets hit the armour shield I had fitted into the back of my seat. Glancing quickly behind me I saw that both the men in the rear seats were slumped forward and they weren't just taking a rest.

I had had the armour-plate cut from quarter-inch steel and on these special jobs I always slipped it in under the back of the seat cover, just in case. Even if I have never been in this situation before, I was glad that I had taken this precaution.

Now was the time to use my skills and knowledge of the streets of the town and escape the pursuing cars. Cars, for now there was at least three following me and heaven knows how many are waiting in front.

There was a laneway to my right which led to a foot bridge over the river. I knew was wide enough to take a car, and the stanchion fitted at either ends were almost eaten through with rust at their bases. If I could get over to the other side it was a quick way to get into the bye-roads of the rural surrounds. I had to get to the laneway before the following cars caught up.

I hit the accelerator and shot down the main road. In the distance I saw the police had set up a roadblock and on the road I could clearly see two rows of stingers. They were determined to stop this car that was a certainty. I was glad the laneway entrance was between me and them.

I had gained a good 150 yard lead on the following car, but I expect the police following had slowed down because of the roadblock in front. At the laneway I swung right and shot down between the buildings either side of the lane. I was glad there were no refuge bins or anything else in the lane otherwise that could have impeded my escape. After all this was a pedestrian access from a bus drop off point the other side of the river and not a service lane.

Ahead I saw the stanchion and I hoped the council hadn't replaced the old ones with new. If they had I would soon come to a sudden stop and the speed I was travelling it would be disastrous, well for me anyway. I hit the stanchion square on and I just rolled straight over it. The sides of the car were taking a hiding as I rubbed alternately on either side as I tried to keep the car going between the railings.

The bridge was swaying with the weight of the car. Sure it was designed for pedestrians, but designed to easily take the weight of a car. The only drawback it was only about six inches wider than the car. Once over the crest at the middle I increased speed and hit the other stanchion and this one too just bent. I knew there were to be dents in the front of the car but it didn't impede any on the performance.

Once over the bridge and unless the police came over the same bridge I now had a good 25 kilometre start on them. The reason I say this is the next main traffic bridge is just over 12 kilometres away.

I slowed down so as not to attract attention and headed away from the town. I took a side road on the left and headed into a wooded area. After about 20 kilometres I saw a rest area just off the road which was like a big 'U' with trees hiding it from the road. Also in the rest area was another car, which if I parked near to it wouldn't draw any suspicious inquiries, as it didn't look as suspicious when two cars were parked as one does.

Leaving my car and walking around it I saw that it was riddled with holes at the back. What had they been using to cause so many holes, I wondered? I removed the plates, which incidentally were only pushed on using plastic plugs. Then I checked on the health of my passengers, all three were dead. I collected the bags; some even had holes in them to, removed my seatback armour-plate and put them to one side. Two of the men were carrying small Biretta pistols and spare magazines, so I took them also, plus their wallets and these I put in my pockets

I also pulled the passenger in the front seat into the driver's seat. I don't think it would fool the police for long, but then maybe it could. Maybe he could have survived long enough to drive to this spot.

Walking casually over to the next car I peered in, but it was empty. I could see an open rifle case on the rear seat, so I assume the owner was in the woods hunting. The car was an old model about ten years old. It was that old that I was able to push down the window. The owner had left a gap at the top, no doubt to let some air in. Old cars were easy to jump-start and in seconds I had the engine running. The fuel gauge showed half full so I had fuel to go a good distance.

I loaded all the stuff I had taken out of my car and placed it in the other. Then I casually drove back on to the road and continued on my way. After about another 20 kilometres I soon realised that I hadn't made a good choice. The car was overheating and belching out white smoke like a steam engine.

Ahead was a bridge over a river with steep banking either side. I got out of the car, removed all of my gear and using a large stone against the accelerator I sent it plunging down the embankment into the fast-flowing river. I saw it tumbling in the fast current then it just vanished.

Here I was standing at the side of the road, five bank transit bags at my feet, a heavy plate of steel and nowhere to go. I couldn't carry all this stuff so I decided that I would have to hide it somewhere. What could be better than near the bridge, for this was a good marker and would be easy to find the items when I return.

Carrying the five bags, which were heavy into the brush I found an ideal spot to bury it. I returned and brought the steel plate and the numberplates. The ground was soft and I quickly dug out a pit by using the steel plate. The bags were placed in with the numberplates, then the steel plate was placed over these and then soil was placed over the lot. The ground was evened over and the leaves I had scraped back were pushed over the soil. Using a branch broken off from a bush I dusted over the area, if it wasn't for the marker trees it was impossible to see where I had buried the items.

I hadn't even bothered looking in the bags to see what they had been carrying. I had been paid my fee and had that safely tucked in my money belt. Now I had to get somewhere to lie low for a short while and to see if the police were after me. I could see no reason how I could be tied in with the three men. I had never seen them before, or even knew what they had done. The car had been borrowed and would have been put back, the owner none the wiser. Unfortunately he has a car full of holes and three dead bodies in it full of police bullets.

I started walking along the road, it was pleasant as the sun was breaking through and the birds were beginning to make their territorial calls. There was a slight dew forming and a bight in the air which was invigorating. On the right was a driveway into a house which I could see set well back and from what I could see surrounded by a neat lawn. Azaleas were flowering in beds that were against the walls of the house and it seemed to glow in the morning light.

Somehow I was drawn to the house and I entered the driveway to have a closer look. It was a large two story one, but not to large, I would say had about six or seven bedrooms. Then I saw what some people call a summer house off to the right and tucked under the trees at the edge of the lawn.

I doubt if it would be used at this time of the year and I needed somewhere to rest a bit. The summer house seemed the ideal spot and I was almost certain I would find a summer seat inside; it just looked as if it would.

I made my way around the edge trying to avoid being seen from the windows, but I doubt anyone would be up and around at this time of the morning. The summer-house was unlocked and as I guessed, there was the summer rocking seat on a frame, ready to be pulled out on to the small veranda seen through the concertina doors.

The seat was well cushioned and was long enough for me to stretch out. Lying there I could watch the front of the house and see if anyone was going to approach the summer-house. Unfortunately the rear was boarded only the front and a portion of the sides were glazed halfway down.

On placing my head on the pillow I dropped off into a deep sleep, it was the sound of voices that woke me. Without moving I saw two young boys, well youths in their midteens kicking a ball near the house and a mature woman nearby. Their voices came in waves and their words indistinct they were at that distance away.

All afternoon they stayed there. I had intended to be on my way by now, but I was trapped. Hunger pains were now gripping me. I had nothing to eat or drink in the past 24 hours. The nearest food was in that house and I intended to pinch some from there. I waited until dark fell, first I saw the lights on in one room and shadowy figures move around.

Still I waited, the one thing I wasn't was a burglar, I had no idea how to break into houses. Then the light went off in that room and appeared in another downstairs room. I moved out of the summer-house and as I did the lights came on in an upstairs room, casting a beam of light on to the lawn. The figure of one of the youths appeared and drew the heavy curtains and the beam was cut off on the lawn. Now all there was, was the dull yellow glow. This changed to the light of a television, whoever was upstairs was watching TV with the main light out.

There was no use creeping around, I walked over to the house, but avoiding the lit windows on the ground floor to the doors of a garage which was attached to the house. There were double car wide roller doors and a small side door, which surprisingly was open. As I opened it I noticed the mortise was out, so whoever had locked the door hadn't checked to see if the door was properly closed. The key was in the lock, so I opened it, closed the door and locked it properly. Now I had virtually locked myself in the house.

When I had opened the door I noticed I had a clear passageway to another door which had a small window in it. From the window glowed a faint light, so it was towards this door I made my way. Gently easing on the handle I turned it and pushed, the door opened silently. The light was coming from a night-light plugged into a power socket. It was just enough to show me the vague contents of the room, which was the kitchen.

The refrigerator drew me like a magnet and when I opened the door the room was engulfed in light. In front of me was a large container of milk which I took and placed on my parched lips. The taste of the cool milk was a blessing to my protesting stomach. Also on a lower shelf was a plate with sliced roast meat. I just took a hand-full and sank my teeth into it.

"What do you think you are doing and why are you in my house?" This upper-class female voice said behind me.

I hadn't heard her approach I was so preoccupied with filling my empty stomach. I haven't the faintest idea why I did it, but I put my hand in my pocket and drew one of the pistols, turned and put it under her chin. I have never held a gun in my hand before and I was surprised the affect that it had on the woman. She went white as a sheet and staggered back until she could go no more with me following.

"Any more from you and it will be your last."

"Take what you want but please don't hurt me or my grandchildren," she stammered.

So the two lads were her grandchildren, she didn't look old enough to be a grandmother somehow. Seeing her now close up she was a well-built woman, with a pair of breasts on her that any film star would love. She stood up to my shoulders and I was well over 6 feet, from what she was wearing her waist was thin and flared out to as one would say child-bearing hips. Her hair was auburn and she had these pouting full sexy lips, the type that was begging to be kissed.

What was I to do? If I left she would call the police for sure and the chase would be on again. I have had enough of that, so somehow I had to stop this occurring. Hanging behind the door was two coils of rope and a ball of twine slipped over a peg.

"Sit down in the chair, with your hands behind your back," I said in as stern a voice that I could muster. In fact I was scared out of my wits. I had never considered acting like this before.

Like a lamb she sat down on the kitchen chair I pointed to. "Oh please I'll do anything you say, but please don't hurt me," she pleaded.

Firstly using the twine I bound both her thumbs together. Then using one of the lengths of rope, which I think was clothes line rope I bound her arms to the back as well as her legs to the legs of the chair. I could see that she was now immobile.

"Please this is the last evening I have with my grandchildren, they are going abroad to stay, and I won't be seeing them for a long-time."

"Lady, if I released you, you would be on to the police in a flash."

"I promise, I won't just don't hurt me."

"No, I want you to stay put, until I know that everything is all right."

"You mean you will release me."

"Certainly, you don't think I would hurt you. No you have no fear of that."

"Oh, thank you," she said with a sigh.

"You just stay there and if everything is all right I'll be back."

I didn't want to hurt the woman, but I had to make sure the police wouldn't be called. I had to find out if the boys had mobile phones, also the number of phones in the house.

"Do your grandchildren have mobile cell phones?" I asked her.

"Yes they both do. Why?"

I could see fear cross her face after she answered the question.

"How many landline handsets are in the house?"

"There is one in every bedroom, one in the hall and one in the lounge. Oh, why are you asking about the telephones?"

"Never mind! Where is the telephone junction box?"

"Just outside the door in the garage."

I went into the garage and on the far wall I spotted the telephone junction box. I went over and hooking my finger behind the wires leaving the Crone block and pulled all the wires out. Now, the house is dead as far as the landlines are concerned. One set I didn't remove though was the security pair which was clearly marked. If I had disconnected that one the security firm would be round in a flash.

Leaving her sitting in the kitchen I silently went up the stairs. The room where the grandchildren were in was clearly visible by the flickering light showing under the door. I eased the door handle with one hand and the pistol in the other stepped into the room.

Surprise, surprise the two lads were sitting on the end of the bed with their penises in their hands watching a blue movie. Both the heads shot round with eyes popped open wide looking straight at me.

"I can see that you two are really enjoying yourselves and by the hard-ons you both have you are enjoying the movie."

I don't think they saw the gun in my hand as the eldest one spoke. "How dare you burst into our room in such a manner? Who are you anyway?" Then he spotted the gun and his erection went down in a second.

I switched on the main light. Now they saw me a lot better. "I want both your mobile phones. Now!" I said. They nearly jumped out of their skins in their eagerness to hand over their individual phones. I took them both. Put them on the floor and drove my heel into them.

"Get your trousers on. Give me these tapes," I said. Having noticed they had about four of them. "Now downstairs into the kitchen the pair of you."

I prodded them in front of me and the three of us entered the kitchen. They both eyed their grandmother tied to the chair. I made them sit on the floor with their backs against the cupboards.

"What do you think your little angels were doing upstairs?" I asked the grandmother.

"I haven't the slightest idea. Playing games maybe," she said with that highbrow voice.

"Wrong, they were watching blue movies and wanking themselves."

"Never, my boys are not like that, they are decent clean-living boys."

I showed her the tapes, well the boxes anyway.

"That doesn't prove these are blue movies, just some erotic cover art," she insisted.

The two lads were sitting with bowed heads, looking at the floor.

"I think we will let your grandmother see them. What do you say?"

"Please don't, we admit we were watching them. Please don't humiliate her."

"What's your grandmother's first name anyway?"

"Carina, that's what her friends call her," the eldest said. He now was a lot more relaxed.

"Well the pair of you pick up your grandmother and the chair and take her to where the TV is."

The pair got up and between them struggled to carry her through into the ground-floor room which had the light burning. There was a lovely fire burning in the hearth and a huge projection TV screen on the end wall.

"Well lads we are going to have a good view now. I want you to put your grandmother down so she can see the screen. Put the tape you were watching in and rewind it. After you have done that I want you to sit on the floor in front of your grandmother. Now get moving. If you don't, I promise you I will put a bullet into you and your grandmother."

The youngest pushed the tape in and we waited until we heard the thud of the tape reaching the end.

"Now hand me the remote and switch on the TV."

The youngest lad couldn't do it quicker than he did. He switched on the TV and handed me the VHS remote then sat down as ordered.

I switched it on and everyone was silent. I was expecting young women but what were shown were mature middle-aged women and young boys having sex. It looked like the two lads fantasised over older women. I looked at the titles of the other tapes and they were all the same, sex between young men and older women.

Both the lads were now in their fantasy world. They were oblivious to the world around them. I also noticed that Carina wasn't objecting, but was viewing the screen with interest. Sure I liked watching these tapes as much as anyone, but I would rather have the real thing.

"These older women really turn you lads on, don't they? Have you ever been with a woman?"

This broke their concentration and they turned and looked at me and both shook their heads.