Page 100 of Wounded Soul
If he thought he could get away with it, he would. That was his only link to Cate and her abductors. It’d been too risky before, Ian hadn’t trusted them not to kill Cate anyway if Peter failed to keep in contact, and back then he’d thought she’d had a slim chance of getting out of this alive. Maybe that had been wishful thinking on his part, but this latest web of lies had pretty much sealed her death warrant.
If he could just get that phone, then Peter had no way to contact them, at least not while they were at the VLCD headquarters. Without the threat to Cate’s life hanging over his head, Ian could tell the truth. He could save Jesse and they could try and find Cate somehow.
If anyone would believe him, that was.
He’d changed his story so many times, he wouldn’t blame them if they didn’t.
The door swung open before Ian could make his move, but it wasn’t Raph on the other side. It was Harper. He walked into the room, armed, with four guards trailing in behind him. They lined up, two on either side of Harper.
Guns raised.
Ian took an instinctive step back, hands rising of their own volition.
“What the fuck’s going on?” Peter snapped.
He started to walk forward, but Harper’s barked, “Stay where you are,” stopped him in his tracks.
“Where’s Raph?”
“Mr Miller is still helping us with our enquiries. Some interesting things have come to light. Things that need further investigation, but suffice it to say they cast sufficient doubt on yours and Mr Moreton’s description of events.”
Peter’s hand tightened around his phone, grip so tight Ian heard the case creak. It was the only outward sign that Peter was nervous. “What sort of things? I’m sure it’s just a misunderstanding that we can easily sort out.”
Harper hesitated, as though debating whether to divulge information. “Cate Weston is missing.”
Peter’s back went rigid, and Ian would bet everything that he’d never expected them to discover that. At least not yet anyway.
Please let them find her fast.
And alive.
He wanted to tell them who had her, but not while Peter still had hold of that fucking phone. A quick tap of a few buttons and that would be it.
What makes you think she’s missing?” Peter fished, none too subtly.
“The fact that she’s not at home, isn’t answering her phone, and GPS puts her at Sykes’s place. I’ve just sent my men to investigate.”
Peter’s hands started to shake. It all slotted into place. He’d probably intended to kill her there and somehow blame it on Ian, but if they found her, it was all over for him. Ian wanted to cheer.
“You both need to come with us now.” Harper pulled a pair of cuffs from his pocket.
Peter’s gaze shot to them, and his eyes narrowed. “Are we under arrest?” Ian was surprised at how calmly he asked.
“Not yet. But you are a person of interest. The cuffs are just a precaution until we get you to a cell.”
“A cell?” Peter took a huge step back, and it was the first time Ian had seen him truly unnerved. The whole room crackled with tension, and Ian took a deliberate step away from Peter, arms still raised in supplication. No way did he want to get caught up if anything kicked off. And from the way Peter’s expression darkened, it was about to. “I’m not going to one of your fucking cells; I haven’t committed any crime.”
Harper raised an eyebrow. “Evidence would seem to suggest otherwise.”
“What evidence? You’ve got the killer in custody with the victim right here proclaiming his guilt.” He gestured to Ian, and Ian flinched, couldn’t help it.
“I’m not at liberty to discuss details of the case with you.”
“If I’m not under arrest, why are you trying to lock me up?”
“For everyone’s protection,” Harper offered.
“Certainly not mine.” Peter glanced at Ian, and it was only then Ian caught sight of Peter’s phone, the screen on and showing a call in progress.
