EXTRACT for FIXER

 

Helen rolled and thumped against the side of the van again while simultaneously bouncing uncomfortably on the thin mattress beneath her. She had half expected to be gagged and blindfolded when they tossed her into the van, and she was vaguely disquieted by the fact that they hadn't bothered. She couldn't see out any of the windows from her position on the floor, and she had quickly discovered that counting the turns and simultaneously trying to keep track of the elapsed time was completely beyond her ability, so she had no idea whatsoever where they were headed. The trip seemed interminable, and they could have been half way to Thailand for all she knew. She was relieved that neither man had molested or raped her, even though there was no guarantee that happy circumstance would continue after they arrived at their destination. She had no doubt at all that they were taking her somewhere isolated for an interrogation, but for the life of her she couldn't think of anything that would improve the situation. Even if she told them where to find the gold, she doubted they would just let her go. Then the van came to a halt and the driver turned the engine off, the halt making her head bump against the side of the van again. She jumped when the rear doors of the van suddenly swung open and the vehicle bounced when the driver climbed inside. Two pairs of hands grabbed her and dragged her out into the chill night air. She cried out when a hand squeezed her buttock hard as she was lifted to her feet. Her shoes had fallen off somewhere along the journey and the gravel of the driveway pricked her feet with a spiteful intensity. It was dark with no streetlights, but there was enough light in the sky for her to see that she was in front of what looked like a large brick fronted farmhouse. However, a quick sniff told her that it was not a working farm. The air was fresh and free of the smell of animal waste or compost. There didn't seem to be any neighbours within sight, which meant there was nowhere to run to for help and nobody to hear her screams.

Josh guessed what she was thinking and smiled evilly at her. "Try to run and I'll bash your toes with a hammer."

Helen shuddered and shook her head hard, flinging her hair from side to side. "Please, don't. I'll ... I'll do anything. Just don't ... " The realisation that she had resorted to that cliched offer so quickly made her flush in annoyance at her own weakness. The worst part was that she had meant what she had said. She increasingly had the feeling that they weren't going to let her go. They couldn't be certain she hadn't found the data card, and the information on it was too dangerous for them to just take her word that she would remain silent. But at the same time she refused to give in to despair. She would find a way to escape, and just had to stay alive until she thought of something.

Larry chuckled. "She says she'll do anything."