bloodied and bruised, pointing firearms steadily towards four men sat on the floor, equally bloodied and bruised.
I tread myself carefully over the splinters of glass until I reach the safety of Kane who shifts his gun into a singular hand before wrapping an arm around me. I hold on tight, squeezing myself around his waist, soothed by the steady sound of his heartbeat against my ear.
As the team hold their detainees at gun point, Brains takes her position as she begins to interrogate the men sat cross legged on the floor.
For several minutes each man refuses to cooperate, each holding their silence. Repeated ly she shouts questions at each one in turn, receiving a muted response.
I release myself from Kane and move towards the men. Kane tugs me back but I shake myself free mouthing that I am okay. I kneel a safe distance away before speaking. I try to steady my voice with a couple of deep breaths.
“I am Sky Sinclair but you already know that.”
As the other men remain staring fixedly at the floor, one raises his head and nods. He coughs, winces a breath inwards, and nods again. “I am Viktor.” He gestures with his head to each man in turn. “This is Yury, Dmitry and Luka.”
“Have you come to harm me, or to scare me, Viktor?” I lean a little forward. I raise my hand to Kane as I hear him inhale sharply.
He shakes his head abruptly. He throws a glare at his captors. “To protect you only, I swear.”
“To protect me? I don’t understand.”
“You are right. The girl in your film was killed. But not by us. I put my hand on my heart. Then bad things happen to you. Alexei know you are in danger and it might be connected to him. He tried to warn you to stay away. Be safe, you understand? We did not scare you. We search for who it is that scare you, to protect you. But then you hide. And your Police say Alexei is to blame”
I smile and nod before looking, shrugging, towards the team. Each one seems as puzzled as me.
“So you didn’t send the letters, dead flowers…..follow me? How can I believe you, Viktor? I want to……but” I urge for answers.
“Call your Policeman. Alexei was attacked last night. Your Policeman will tell you.”
***
DCI Jack Mercer grunts deeply. “I can confirm that an attempt was made on Alexei Bortsov’s life late last night, Sky. He is critically ill in intensive care at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital under guard. I was going to call you early this morning but not at this ungodly hour.”
“Was he poisoned?” I press for details whilst maintaining contact with Viktor. I shoot a quick look to Kane.
“Too soon for the results to be confirmed. But the early indications show that, yes, he has been poisoned. But he is critical and we are not sure if he will make it through the next few hours.”
“Oh my God……who is responsible for this, Jack? What happens now?” I look to Kane as fresh anxiety creeps inside my body and a tremble shakes its way through me. Kane narrows his eyes in concern. He gestures to me to give him the mobile phone.
“Jack, it’s Kane.” He barks down the receiver. “We have Alexei’s men here.”
“Then make peace with them. You might need them soon. Is Sky still in earshot?”
“Yeah.”
“Then send her to make coffee or something. Or fetch the first aid box……I’m guessing Alexei’s guys probably need it.” Jack sniggers, drawing sharply on a cigarette.
Kane holds the phone against his chest as he indicates to Brains to remove me from the room. It does not escape my notice that I am deliberately sent on an ‘errand’. I am learning to do as I am told. This is for my protection.
Kane gestures to Storm and Dalton to stand down and release the men. All the men stand, shaking out their bruised and aching muscles, before strangely shaking hands and seating themselves.
“Ok, what’s the
I tread myself carefully over the splinters of glass until I reach the safety of Kane who shifts his gun into a singular hand before wrapping an arm around me. I hold on tight, squeezing myself around his waist, soothed by the steady sound of his heartbeat against my ear.
As the team hold their detainees at gun point, Brains takes her position as she begins to interrogate the men sat cross legged on the floor.
For several minutes each man refuses to cooperate, each holding their silence. Repeated ly she shouts questions at each one in turn, receiving a muted response.
I release myself from Kane and move towards the men. Kane tugs me back but I shake myself free mouthing that I am okay. I kneel a safe distance away before speaking. I try to steady my voice with a couple of deep breaths.
“I am Sky Sinclair but you already know that.”
As the other men remain staring fixedly at the floor, one raises his head and nods. He coughs, winces a breath inwards, and nods again. “I am Viktor.” He gestures with his head to each man in turn. “This is Yury, Dmitry and Luka.”
“Have you come to harm me, or to scare me, Viktor?” I lean a little forward. I raise my hand to Kane as I hear him inhale sharply.
He shakes his head abruptly. He throws a glare at his captors. “To protect you only, I swear.”
“To protect me? I don’t understand.”
“You are right. The girl in your film was killed. But not by us. I put my hand on my heart. Then bad things happen to you. Alexei know you are in danger and it might be connected to him. He tried to warn you to stay away. Be safe, you understand? We did not scare you. We search for who it is that scare you, to protect you. But then you hide. And your Police say Alexei is to blame”
I smile and nod before looking, shrugging, towards the team. Each one seems as puzzled as me.
“So you didn’t send the letters, dead flowers…..follow me? How can I believe you, Viktor? I want to……but” I urge for answers.
“Call your Policeman. Alexei was attacked last night. Your Policeman will tell you.”
***
DCI Jack Mercer grunts deeply. “I can confirm that an attempt was made on Alexei Bortsov’s life late last night, Sky. He is critically ill in intensive care at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital under guard. I was going to call you early this morning but not at this ungodly hour.”
“Was he poisoned?” I press for details whilst maintaining contact with Viktor. I shoot a quick look to Kane.
“Too soon for the results to be confirmed. But the early indications show that, yes, he has been poisoned. But he is critical and we are not sure if he will make it through the next few hours.”
“Oh my God……who is responsible for this, Jack? What happens now?” I look to Kane as fresh anxiety creeps inside my body and a tremble shakes its way through me. Kane narrows his eyes in concern. He gestures to me to give him the mobile phone.
“Jack, it’s Kane.” He barks down the receiver. “We have Alexei’s men here.”
“Then make peace with them. You might need them soon. Is Sky still in earshot?”
“Yeah.”
“Then send her to make coffee or something. Or fetch the first aid box……I’m guessing Alexei’s guys probably need it.” Jack sniggers, drawing sharply on a cigarette.
Kane holds the phone against his chest as he indicates to Brains to remove me from the room. It does not escape my notice that I am deliberately sent on an ‘errand’. I am learning to do as I am told. This is for my protection.
Kane gestures to Storm and Dalton to stand down and release the men. All the men stand, shaking out their bruised and aching muscles, before strangely shaking hands and seating themselves.
“Ok, what’s the
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