The Journey by Pat

He lay on the floor and remembered the beating, feeling the aches and pains as he tried to move. Also he wondered what had happened about the paintings, and things he had found. Perhaps no one knew of them or they had given Ricardo a plausible answer. He remembered the shock of seeing the paintings in the window... no, he turned his mind away from what it could mean... trying to calm his thoughts as the familiar feeling of panic began to rise. He didn’t know how long he had been here, only that it was a long time... possibly months rather than weeks. The light was left on all the time and they never allowed him to speak to them, and now they were giving him sandwiches and water infrequently, the gap between them was longer and the food less.

He only knew he was getting weaker and with the beating he knew he could not escape. They had chained his wrists together onto a chain around his waist and then to the wall, so he had to sit on the floor. His ankles were chained so he could just about stagger to the bathroom when they released him from the chain. They had recently kept him gagged after the police had raided the house next door and he had tried to attract their attention, even though he knew it was futile, and that this was his punishment for it.

He heard the door open, he made sure the photo he had of her was hidden in his pocket, they came down the steps. He could not stop the tremor of fear... were they going to kill him now? He knew it would happen soon. His brother had told him it would be soon the last time he had phoned. He knew they always came together when they were going to move him.

The heavily built one spoke quietly but clearly it was a voice that carried command. You knew that any threat made would be carried out. "There’s a phone call for you. You just have to listen. Any trouble and Jake will get angry again and you don’t want that, so let him undo the chains and follow him. I’ll be behind you just to make sure."

He tried to get up but failed, so they dragged him up the stairs into a room laid out with dining table and chairs. It faced onto the back garden, so there was no hope of anyone seeing them. He noticed the phone on the table with a lead attaching it to a recording machine. He was lead to a chair by the phone and the heavily built man, whose name he didn’t know but he nicknamed Tubs, picked up the receiver and spoke into it. He told whoever was listening that they were ready and that he would have to put the call on loudspeaker. He was not going to release Ben’s hands so they could talk privately. Then he pressed the buttons on both machines.

Maria’s voice came over clearly and Ben felt a cold tremor go through him. "Hi Ben darling I hope they are treating you well." Her laughter was light and playful and full of success. "Oops! I forgot you can’t speak.... never mind I just thought I would give you this farewell message clear up a few things. I know Derek has been keeping you up to date with his fun and games. The papers are through without a hitch so I’ll not have to play the merry widow. Now I want you to know my side of things." She stopped as if gathering her thoughts.

They waited... him not really wanting to have his fears confirmed, that she had been with Derek willingly then and now. The others hoping for something they could use in future.

"You know the first time we met, at Annie’s? Well, I knew I could use it as a way out. You were looking for love and a family to belong to, somewhere you could settle down. It was so easy to pretend... to show everyone how in love I was with you, I knew you would continue to be successful, make the money I wanted and then after a while I could have freedom...Have it all to myself."

She paused her voice becoming more serious as though she wanted to get everything in order. "Annie helped having told me all about you, so willing to step aside to let our true love blossom and then without knowing providing the alibis I needed later. You know when you funded the gallery and were so supportive when it failed."

There was a pause, a giggle.... he was waiting, realising she never really loved him, how he had been used. Her voice broke into his thoughts. "I sold all the things and the gallery at a profit, and the money you gave me. It all went into an account for later if things went wrong. You were always so kind and trusting with money, not asking too many hard questions and accepting my answers."

"It was around the time I started calling you English more frequently. I know you didn’t like it but you cared so much for me you would tolerate it. It was so easy to talk to Annie about my times with him and she would think I was talking about you. I knew she would never say anything to anybody as I was her only friend."

"I met him on one of my trips with Annie. You were working a way from home so I knew it wasn’t you, he intrigue me. It was in a bar. Annie had gone to the ladies and I turned and bumped into him. He knew who I was and told me to lose Annie. Well that was easy! She had her eyes on someone across the room, so when she came back I told her to enjoy herself and I would go to my room and see her in the morning. Derek and I got to know each other well that night, I knew I had to have him and I enjoyed the danger of it during all that time." She heard him groan she laughed with enjoyment.

"Well you did have all of me for a while my love, I was wondering how long I should give it. Your fortune was getting larger. When we decided it was time to move, we had it all planned. Those headaches you had,...me with my loving care, I knew what was causing them, the messages he left you added to your confusion, the arguments people heard were between him and me, and of course dear brother Ricardo, ready to be the protective brother already half set against you by my hints.... the scene was set. Then, that night, even the elements played into our hands."

She was really enjoying herself, her voice rising in anticipation and remembering what had happened and how she felt. "We knew that when you saw us in the studio in bed together you would run, and where.... well you thought he had killed himself after your mother’s death and you were partly to blame for his death so you had no reason think he was around. Mind you, if you had come earlier, you would have caught us in the middle of a very pleasurable time."

She paused slightly "On the boat you weren’t paying full attention to me because of the storm, so it was easy to jump when the time was right. I knew you would try and rescue me. In the water I slipped my hand through your fingers, always making sure you were further away from the boat and then, when you could not get back, I left you for the final time."

"The only thing that went wrong that night was that the small boat came and rescued you before you went down for the third time. It was close, I grant you that. He pulled you in and radioed for help. He was right - he did see a small boat in the distance, that was Derek picking me up. Ricardo refused to believe him, the boatman did say he was not sure what he saw, he was busy trying to help you. We went back to the house. I had things packed just in case I had to disappear..... you remember the clear-out I had of my favourite clothes a few days earlier, I took those with me and then Derek cut himself, and we wrecked the studio."

"We stayed out of sight and watched, over the next few days while you hunted for me and came to terms with what you thought I had done. It was very touching, the loyalty, even more when you collapsed on the beach. Did you feel me then because I was there watching you till Bette found you?" She paused as if waiting for an answer but knowing she would not get one. "If you had died then I would have come back as the grieving widow but you survived, sort of living death I suppose. We moved to our second plan and kept watch on you over the years."

She said in a sad gently voice as though she was thinking out loud "You see I can’t have children and then Tess was pregnant, with Derek’s child." In a happier voice "Oh yes we make a great foursome - Me, Tess, Benjy and Derek. So when the account ran out we came back."

She ignored his stifled groan, he could feel a sadness welling up in him, for the child he had loved and thought was his. He felt as if she was in the room with him and no one else existed. "Tess let me adopt Benjy at birth so he is mine and we agreed that she would have another later, we both love him and Derek so it will work out well. He will be well loved and you have provided well for him." She gave a short pause collecting her thoughts.

"You know most of it from then on...... I really did loose my memory after the car accident. I was coming back to see why Derek had not contacted us and to finish to the job we had started. Derek managed to make his way back to Tess after your fight at the cabin. The ledge he landed on crumbled soon after he crawled off it onto another path, so everyone thought he had gone straight down. He was not too badly hurt. I got my memory back at your wedding reception, that was a good touch by Annie and Tim I could not have done better myself, and that started the way back to now." Her tone changed as if she was clarifying things in her mind.

"It was not easy... things got in the way....and you always went back to Meg ... I do know you love her so deeply that if anything did happened to her you would not survive,....... what would they call it..... died of a broken heart? She is your rock isn’t she? She would survive because of her family ties are so strong, but you only have her. So I think this will be the best way." She paused to gather her thoughts

"I realised that I would have to use Benjy, I was missing him anyway. Its just as well you did not check about the trip that night - you would have found it was full, and Tess played her part beautifully. It was all planned, every turn you made away from me and towards Meg was punished, you know those false memories I had, and you were so forgiving, always trying to do the right thing.

You were being were isolated away from your friends till you would go and check things out and when you returned no one would notice the difference, or if they did, just blame it on the decision you had finally made. If needed I would become the merry widow and then move away after a reasonable time."

She gasped in anticipation "But I’m missing the best part... When I finally had you make love to me. Oh!.. I know it was not me you wanted but I did so want you one more time before you were to die." Her voice was full of "passion" almost like a cat licking the cream and enjoying every mouthful.

He wanted to hide, not to hear what was coming, he felt as he was going to break.... He shifted in his seat and Jake pushed him hard to make sure he stayed.

She carried on "Remember the day you went to LA and you took me to the airport to go to visit old haunts to get my memory back.. But I decided to return home, after worrying about Tess and Benjy.

Tess saw Meg in the park watching us leave, and arranged things with Tim so that at the Casita it would look as if you had taken me there for a romantic date. She set Meg up to go there thinking I had been with you. You came back from LA tired and walked in on our scene with Benjy and when Tess turned and defended Meg that confused you.... I think that was a good touch... then me encouraging you to find Meg."

"We knew she would turn to Casey. Earlier Tim had set things up to split Sara and Casey, so we knew he would be hurting, and it worked. I didn’t know then you had seen them kissing under the pier and heard her say that she never wanted to hear your name again. That was the icing on the cake. Tess told me you were at the Deep in a bad way so I came, the dutiful wife.." she laughed... "You were sinking, going in even deeper than when I "died" and I kept on pressing reminding you of our love. Each time you tried to push me away I came back, I thought I pushed a bit too hard when you tried to throw me out but no, I managed to turn that around till you didn’t know what you were doing.... clinging on... Oh I wanted you!! ... then you made love to me that was bliss!!!"

She stopped as she heard his stifled cry. It was really a scream from the heart he thought was breaking from the pain he felt then, the hurt he had caused Meg, the way he had been used, the guilt he had felt from that night and for every thing that had happened to him and his friends.

Meg was dreaming about their thanksgiving holiday. They were dancing in their room totally in love, completely together knowing that they would survive if they kept together, she could feel him in her arms, smell the roses. Suddenly she felt a wave of great sadness and pain come through the dream, she wanted to cry out but she didn’t know why. She just knew that something had been lost. She started to cry but didn’t wake up but went on dreaming about their love and the days the spent there.

Jake yelled "Maria!!!" at the phone to her as Ben had fallen from the chair landing hard on his shoulder and was not listen to her. She waited. He hit Ben sharply across the face to bring him back. Ben could hardly breath from the pain he felt physical, mental, and tears running down his face. Tubs spoke quietly to her "I don’t think he’s going to take much more of this tonight, perhaps leave it for now." She came back sharply. "No its tonight or never, that’s the point - I’ll try and keep it brief." Tubs looked at Ben and told her "Yes he’s back with us"

Maria carried on talking quicker "The kidnapping was Tess’s idea because you still kept turning back to Meg. You were meant to be the victim there, Benjy would have been released, you taken and Derek return but it didn’t work. Casey had to come and help you, but it helped to unsettle you and Meg. Thanks for saving Benjy in that explosion for us my love. Derek was very cross with Jake about that." She giggled and then became soft even loving.

"So we come to today. It’s really just to say goodbye and thank you for everything.... you know I will remember you. I know where they will bury you.... at Dana’s point. I thought it fitting not too far for us to visit you ..... possibly put your favourite white roses ...strange that, the same as Megs ..." Her voice became more matter-of-fact.

"You’ll know all about it. Derek wants you awake at the end. You might even meet his latest victim as you pass over. You’ll be pleased to know that Meg will not be able to turn to Tim for help. He found about the foursome and had to be disposed of. He has a monument all to himself, well its to the Lifeguards really - but I’m sure they don’t mind sharing it. We have told everyone we’ll be on holiday soon, we will just decide not to return and gradually sell everything, after all, Derek will want his name back. So I’ll say farewell my love."

She paused then spoke quickly and sharply "Derek wants a private word with Jake so, if you will put him to sleep." Ben was stunned really beyond thought and he didn’t hear her last remark or see Tubs move, he only felt the blow that thankfully blotted out his chaotic thoughts.

As he lay there unconscious. Derek’s voice came over the speaker. "I hope you didn’t hit him too hard. I want you to get to Dana’s point around two o’clock on Thursday morning, you should miss all the loving couples, the police sometimes drive by and clear the area - so be careful. You have the map I sent you, the spot is marked but make sure you take the third pathway on the left and then pass the danger signs, it is safe at the moment. There has been a landslide and large cracks have opened up so you can use one as his grave. The earth should fall on top of him as he goes down but take a shovel just in case it needs some help."

He laughed clearly enjoying the picture of what he wanted to happen "I always promised him a painful death so make sure he’s alive before he goes. The rest of the money is in the airport luggage compartment. I will send you the keys, after I have visited my poor departed brother on Saturday. Make sure he is dressed for the part and don’t bother to shave him, if he is found at some point he will not be so easily identified. Any questions?"

Jake piped up "If we’re moving tomorrow, do you want him fed? he only had a sandwich and a drink to day."

Derek replied "No, don’t waste the food, drink maybe but nothing else. Oh make sure his hands are chained tight behind his back and he is unable to move in the trunk of the car as he will try to escape if he can. You might just as well blindfold him as well, they do that to calm animals don’t they?"

Tubs with disbelief in his voice "You really think he is strong enough to beat us? He’s been loosing strength rapidly and he could not walk just now."

Derek replied sharply "There is such an thing as fate you know, and with him you don’t know what will happen. Remember I don’t want to hear from you again and don’t think about double cross, I’ve enough on both of you to put you in the chair."

Derek put the phone down and turned to her with a smile "Well my love shall we celebrate our success I’ll tell Tess about it later." She laughed "I’m glad you chose me first. Don’t get caught by Benjy, remember the near miss you had a few days ago." ( Derek had been with Tess, and Benjy had been about to enter Tess’s room but luckily Maria had heard a noise and stopped him just in time.) They kissed and laughing went upstairs into the bedroom.

Sara and Casey came in joking after having a good evening out. They had cleared the air between them and everything had been sorted. Meg stirred at the noise, came out of her dream, sat up and looked around. Sara noticed the tear stains on her cheeks and the large white teddy bear’s face looked a bit soggy. " I’ll grab a cup of tea for everyone if you’ll put the things out back, Casey." Hoping to give Meg a bit of time to recover.

They were back in about five minutes with cups of tea and many questions. Sara wanted to know what was wrong and where the bear had come from. She looked at the crumpled label attached to its paw saying "It you ever need a bear hug, I’m here."

Meg told her that Benjy had meet her on the beach earlier that evening and had told her that now she was no longer with Daddy she should have it back, and thanked her for letting him have it. Ben had given it to her when they took Benjy to find a kitten because he knew he could not always be there for her in person, but that she would know that he was there in thought. But Benjy had assumed it was for him and she let him look after it for her as a way of trying to connect with him.

When she had got home she had only meant to sit down for a while, but had slept and she told them about the feeling of sadness that overwhelmed the dream she had of Ben and her dancing. Sara told her that perhaps the pain and sadness coming over the good times meant she was finally accepting it was over with Ben. Meg was thoughtful as she drank the tea.

Casey knew that she was not over Ben even if she did put on a brave face to everyone else. He remembered her pained expression when Hank had had another go about Ben and how good it was to have him away from Meg, because the blessing of Ben and Maria’s marriage and the acceptance of Benjy into the family tomorrow at the Mission would the end whole matter. They could get on with their lives. Casey knew it didn’t help that Benjy was over the Shock Wave a lot of the time, at least Ben kept clear most of the time, but no doubt he would be there tomorrow and that would mean trouble.

Meg asked them about their evening and shouldn’t Sara get back home before midnight. Sara and Casey laughed and told her that if it was alright with her Sara was back in Gabi’s old room as of tonight. She was so pleased for them. They discussed what their parents reaction would be, knowing that Joan would be alright, and laughed at the thought of Hank on the warpath. Casey was not too sure about that, but the girls assured him it would be alright - after all he was in Hanks good books. Meg felt it was a good time to leave them, so she and teddy went to bed.

Ben lay in the darkness gradually realising that he had been blindfolded and his arms were behind his back so he could not move them. He tried to move his legs, they were secured tightly together. As he did so a hand grabbed his wrist and rolled his sleeve up and he heard Tubs voice "Well Ben its best this way, you will wake up sometime on the drive down but it will be no use trying anything. No one will hear you." With that Ben felt a prick in his arm... he had sudden flash of blind panic... if he was asleep he would have no chance to escape...drowsiness swept over him.

They picked him up and put him on a blanket in the trunk of the car. Air holes had been put in the sides of the trunk, they looked like bullet holes and there were also slots in the back of the car.

As Jake went to get the tapes and things for the journey, Tubs watched over Ben. He put the photo he had found in Ben’s old shirt pocket into the clean one. He thought it was only right that Ben should die with it, he had kept all this time. Tubs had made sure that Jake had not found it this time as he knew he hated Ben for turning the gun on him and would have destroyed it. He wondered about his options, the people he had killed were in fights, this was to be a cold killing, well he would not be there at the end, but he knew there could be no trade off with the law. He had the tape with him and would use it if Derek turned nasty.

He still wondered what had happened to Ben in the quarter of an hour he had missed him in Seattle before he managed to find him again. He had called Derek, then cornered Ben in a quiet alleyway and they approached him together. It was strange the effect Derek had on Ben. As Derek approached Ben seemed to get a pain in the head that got worse the closer Derek got till it made him incapable of doing anything, and eventually collapsing. So the job was easy. When they got him back here Derek gave Ben a drug to get all the information he needed to fool everyone in Sunset Beach. He did not ask anything about what he had done in Seattle.

He also remembered how angry Derek had become at Ben’s answers regarding the password he had to use to get into his accounts. He didn’t managed to get it the first time he had kidnapped Ben. Ben had no choice but to answer, no matter how hard he tried not to, the password was "Derek". Derek went up the wall, he calmed down and asked "why?" Ben told him "That he (Derek) would never think of it and no-one knew Derek existed." That made Derek really mad and in the end it had taken both of them to pull Derek off Ben. It took Ben several days to get over that beating.

No! He did not think it was a good idea to change his mind after all, as then Maria would be after him as well.

Jake came back and got in the car, he closed the lid of the trunk and hoped Ben was having pleasant dreams. In fact Ben was not dreaming at all, he was so deeply asleep he knew nothing at all.

Chapter 3

She woke to a restless feeling, that something was not right. Well, she knew that feeling - it had been with her for along time. No, this was a feeling of something coming closer and the sadness was still there. Perhaps Sara had been right, she was beginning to accept Ben would not be with her. At least he was with his family, that would have to be enough for her.

She made up her mind to make a determined effort to get on with things. She had that difficult buyer to deal with at the shop....nearly made her go back to bed again... sort out the new stock with Sara and ring Tyus about the work he wanted her to do at the Medical Centre Free Hospital wing. It was on the edge of town and used by the poorer people. It had been started about five years ago, funded by donations and people giving their free time.

Benjy was complaining that Daddy never told him the story in which he pretended to be the different characters. Derek was getting fed up with this as Benjy had been on and on about over the last few days. He could not pick up the same story as it was Ben who told it and Ben was always better at that kind of thing. It irritated him that Benjy should do it now, just when he was getting rid of Ben. In the end he got cross and told Benjy he could not remember it so he would just had to accept something different.

Benjy went off in a huff and complained to Maria about it, she wrapped her arms around him and told him to get ready for school and that they would collect him for lunch time Mass. He brightened up at that. They had been doing families at school and he had told his class about today and that he had been allowed the afternoon off.

The phone rang and Derek answered it. He looked thoughtful, a bit cross and then spoke. " I am sorry about that and of course we couldn’t go ahead. Its alright Antonio I understand, we will put if off till tomorrow evening." He put the phone down. He really wanted it done today - everything was signed and Charles was going to deliver all the papers to do with Benjy and Maria and secure his fortune. There was this niggling thought that something always gets in the way. Maria was waiting impatiently.

"Sister Theresa died early this morning, the nuns at the Mission will be saying a special Mass for her and Antonio does not think it right that we should have our celebration today, so I’ll ring everyone and tell them it will be tomorrow tea time."

Benjy piped up "Does that mean I will have to go to school all day?" Maria consoled him, he could have his friends with him tomorrow, and helped him on his way giving him a note for the teacher. He was being picked up by his friend’s mum today. Derek called after him that they would play a ball game after school on the beach.

Derek thought to himself "No doubt I will have to face AJ at that meeting. I was really hoping to get out of it." The last one had been a bit difficult. He was finding that there were a few things his brother had not told him and they had nearly caught him out. He turned to Maria and told her he was going to see AJ after he had called in at the Deep and the Java Webb. At least everything was running smoothly there he thought.

Maria decided she ought to see her mother but she was wary of doing so in case the cards decided to reveal her secrets. So far the cards had been muddled, some hints but nothing clear and after the brush Derek had with Carmen they kept their visits short. It was easy if they had Benjy with them as he seemed to have most of the attention.

Tess was going shopping. Maria noticed that she avoided the monument and seemed a bit quieter since Tim’s death. She hoped that Tess would not prove to be a problem now. She would hate to loose her.

As she looked in the draws in the bedroom she came across the pearls that Ben had given Meg. She knew that Derek had given them back to her and she had sent them back. She grinned wondering if she should go round there again. She wanted Meg unsettled as she had been round about Ben again. She had told Derek to stop seeing her as Meg was getting suspicious. No... better to tell her that she was thinking of opening a gallery and the other end of the walkway. But she needed a reason to be there, not just walk in cold because dear old Sara was getting protective over her sister.

Or a question about Tim? After all they were still looking. No, she was not close enough for that. She had not heard much about it from Ricardo, as he was still sorting things out with Gabi after the argument with Antonio. He had finally accepted that there was nothing between Antonio and her and that it was just a case of things happening in the extreme situation. Gabi was living with Ricardo. Perhaps she would take the pearls with her just in case.

Luckily Carmen was waiting to see a client when Maria called, so she was only giving her half her attention. She had read the cards and they still said that she was with her soul mate but there was a shadow over the reading, it would clear soon but no indication whether it would be good or bad - only that the choices that had been made in the last few days would decide the fates. Maria went on happily reminding her mother about the Mass tomorrow.

Derek had had a argument with AJ and had promised to sort out the confusion that had arisen over two reports he had made. It had been interrupted when AJ had been called away on an urgent matter. Now Derek knew he had to work fast before anybody realised he was not coping with the situation or the fact he had not written the first report that contradicted the second. He managed to right the situation, but his assistant kept pressing him about a man who kept on trying to reach him about a contract he had agreed last year in Santa Barbara. He told her he would deal with it later. She went away quietly saying to herself that he was always saying that these days.

Derek thought to himself about the information he had got from Ben. He never mentioned anything about Santa Barbara, mind you he had not known the right questions to ask to get all the information. He reassured himself that it would be alright. He was starting to feel a bit vulnerable now. He gave himself a shake and thought "soon it will really all be mine".

Meg had managed to deal with the buyer, getting the orders to be delivered on a different day. She then helped Sara sort out the stock, Emily was left in charge while they had a break at the Shock Wave for lunch. That was a mistake, Joan was alright but Hank was still fretting about Tim. Maria came in asking about Tim, told them about the gallery and as she left she handed her the pearls saying that Ben insisted she gave them to her. That of course started Hank off , Sara and Meg left as soon as they could.

The rest of the afternoon went quite well. Casey came in after his shift to walk them back to Surf Central. As they walked along the beach they saw a group of kids and adults playing ball and Meg realised that Ben and Benjy were amongst them. She felt pleased for them and realised that her unease could not be for them, and yet it looked wrong.

As she was trying to place what it was, she heard Tyus greet them and remembered about the meeting they should have fixed. He told her that he would be free at the beginning of his early shift at 6.30 if that was not to early for her. He was pleased that Ben was getting over his unease of crowd games. She was puzzled, then he told her that Ben had been worried that he would pass on his fear of that type of game to Benjy as it was one way that Derek would get at him in school. She shivered at the thought of it, and realised that was why it looked wrong when she saw Ben amongst the others. As Tyus left, Sara teased her about the early morning start and Meg threatened to wake her as well.

At the Inn in Santa Barbara that morning they were discussing the arrangements that Ben had made last year at Thanksgiving. As it seemed impossible to get him on the phone, the owner decided that it would be a good idea to visit Ben at Sunset Beach tomorrow. He wanted to see the other businesses Ben had, and he might even track him down as he considered him a friend.

In Seattle, Mr Peters was getting very cross as he could not find the address of his client. Mind, nothing was easy to find after his accident and then the explosion left everything in a mess. He had only just found the paintings, again. Two small water colours, one of Sunset Beach showing the beach and buildings decked out for carnival in special colours, the other of a country cottage with white roses around the door and a beautiful lady dressed in red. The paintings were signed with initials and a date on the back. He lifted some other boxes and found the papers to go with them. These gave the background history of the pictures, who the artist was, the type of paper and where they were made.

Also the report from the hospital about the birth certificates - that had been difficult but he had tried all the permutations of given names and surnames and eventually come up with a mum, adoptive mum and father. He put this in a separate envelope. Also in the box they came in was a white dress and odd and ends as well as a strip of negatives which he had found caught in the bottom of the box. He had prints taken off the negatives and put them with in another envelope with the rest.

He remembered his client had come in a rush, obviously shaken about something, given him the list of names and dates regarding a child’s birth, paintings and had asked him to sort it out. He said he would contact him later by phone. As he had left a large amount of money, he carried out the work. He had waited for the phone call, none came and days passed he had no address to go back to and only a first name, then he was involved with a violent case and in trying to escape had an accident the complications that had caused delayed sorting the office out after the explosion next door and waiting for repairs to be done so that it was safe to get back.

Looking at the wrapping paper again he found a faintly scrawled message to a detective Ricardo Torres, Sunset Beach, and the words "Find the truth, Ben". His brother in law and family were visiting Sunset Beach for a weeks holiday tomorrow. Perhaps he could get his brother in law to deliver it personally to this Detective and get him to find out who this Ben was, telling him it had been over two months since the visit. He wrote a note of explanation and packed everything together.

Chapter 4

There was a jolt, a noise of metal grinding together, Ben prayed that it was bad enough for the trunk to open or the car to be searched by the police or someone, anything would be better than it had been. His shoulder throbbed from the fall and he had pains all over from cramp and lack of food and water. He listened hoping that he would be found. He knew he could only wait he had no way of attracting attention.

Tubs sat there watching the policeman coming towards him hoping that Jake would calm down. He turn and told Jake to shut up it was not his fault that the fool behind had not stopped quickly enough, and that some other idiot had done the same thing a few cars a head, only had been going faster so the police etc were there.

He got out to look at the damage and gave the policeman his driving licence. The other driver, thankfully looked a quiet type, and he just hoped he would not be told to check the trunk. The policemen took the details of both drivers and checked them over the radio, they both came back clear, looked at the damaged which was not very much and told them exchange details and then to get on.

To Ben’s dismay the car started. As he listened to the muffled sounds of the music they played, his mind drifted back through everything that had happened, with flashes of panic that threatened to overwhelm him. Then gradually he would feel her, even hear her talking to him and remember the many times they shared their love....

Derek was enjoying the thoughts of success, he was going to have it all. Benjy seemed to be on best form. The only question mark was Tess but he knew she would come round and get over Tim - the money he had paid her would help. Charles had given him all the documents now so no-one could take anything away from him.

He remembered how jumpy he felt when AJ had told him he was flying to Seattle that afternoon and would not be back till tomorrow. His first thought was he had been found out, but then it became clear that AJ was seeing some business people who were there for a Conference. At least it would be a quiet day and then the acceptance by everyone that was good. He knew he would have to stop teasing Meg or Maria would get upset again. Some things do have to come to an end, he supposed. Soon they would leave.

The car swayed erratically and came to an abrupt stop. Ben woke with the jolt, his hopes and fears raised, and waited. In the car they were arguing. It had been a long trip, things had not gone as planned - the accident, tension every time they stopped for meals, getting lost and now, just few more miles, and they were stuck sat at the side of the road. At least it was dark but it seemed that everyone was out taking a night drive. The tyre had a puncture and, of course, the spare tyre and equipment were in the bottom of the trunk.

They could not decide who was going to do what and whose fault it all was. Jake had been drinking, so was in a very touchy mood. Tubs knew Jake should be kept away from Ben, but he could not do both jobs. He would just have to hope that he could do the job quickly.

Eventually the break came. They both dashed out opened the trunk and pulled Ben out and got the equipment. Jake took the opportunity to give Ben a quick prod as he dropped him heavily on his side on the ground out of sight of an on-coming car. For a moment they thought it was slowing down but, no, it was safe and it went on by. Ben could not do anything, even without Jake’s rough handling. They managed to change the wheel and after a short wait dragged Ben back into the trunk.

Jake could not resist telling Ben that the next stop would be his last. Ben felt deep despair as the motion of the car told him that his brother and Maria really would win. His thoughts raced through everything again that had happened.....a wave of panic.... he fought against it. He thought of Meg and drifted to the Casita, where they had found their love again. He pictured them holding the love bowl and heard the words he had spoken to her, "Now there is no rain, for one is shelter to the other. Now there is no night for one is light to the other. Now there is no loneliness , now and for ever...". They seemed to echo, wrapping around him - he could feel her beside him as he remembered it. Everything drifted, he no longer felt the movement of the car. It was as if he was actually there, in the hotel room, at Thanksgiving, the sound of the music when they danced together, the perfume of the roses. Feeling her body next to him, their connection was so strong. The happiness they both felt, when they danced and later when they made love.....

Suddenly he was yanked from the trunk, the pain racing through him as he was dragged forward. His mind was racing, he could faintly hear Derek’s voice in the back ground, he knew this was it. He heard Tubs speaking in his ear telling him to say his prays and Jake hitting him hard in the ribs as he was pushed down........ in his mind he called her name with all his heart and soul. He was falling, he hit bottom, pain shot through his body, the earth landing on him then nothing.......

She woke up screaming out Ben’s name. It echoed through Surf Central waking Casey and Sara who came running. Meg was sat up in bed trying to get her bearings. She looked at them as they entered not realising she was crying. She gasped out "I tried to catch him! I tried to catch him!" She looked dazed and tried to get her thoughts together so she could explain what she had said. They sat on the end of the bed Sara handed her a robe to wrap up in as she was shivering.

Meg started slowly "I was there in the hotel room dancing with him......making love to him......our thanksgiving holiday.... I could feel him..... we were so close... then I felt him being pulled away... gone.... I don’t know... can’t explain it ... just the feeling if I could catch him, hold onto him... we would be together... but I could not.... I reached out.... now I feel an empty space, a feeling that he’s gone.... lost." She looked at them knowing that they could not understand, she didn’t fully understand, the tears still falling. Sara could not think of anything to say but got up and went to her and hugged her trying to make her warm, give her comfort, help take the pain away. Casey went quietly out of the room and got them a hot drink.

They then sat in silence, drinking the chocolate, not knowing what to say but not feeling uncomfortable. Eventually Sara and Casey went back to their bedrooms and left her curled up in a ball hugging the white teddy. As she slowly drifted back to sleep, her thoughts went back over her time with Ben. The good times as well as the bad, comparing the change in him.

Derek had been drifting in and out of sleep when he felt the change, it was like a short sharp shiver going through him and he realised that this time it was final - he had really won. He turned to her and woke her with a whisper "I want to celebrate our success my love."

She looked at him puzzled at first then with a smile of satisfaction. "Can you really feel it?" "Only faintly but yes this time I’m sure." Kissing her gently, then together they passionately made love.

Benjy was dreaming about sitting in the room with Daddy listening to the story, the one he used the different voices. He wondered how could Daddy be listening and not reading, they were laughing together. As he watched the two of them together he realised that they were by a toy tape machine, it was the one that had broken when Daddy was away and had been put in a cupboard downstairs. He knew what he had to do, and he really wanted that story.

Tess was restless, she was realising what she had got herself into but she could not make up her mind what was the safest thing to do. Perhaps she could go to her sisters and take Benjy. If she went she would have Maria and Derek after her and she knew she would never be safe. Perhaps it would be wise to stay, she did love them both and providing she was careful Maria was alright.

Chapter 5

The men had been waiting in the bushes most of the night and were cold and wet. About half and hour ago the heavens had opened, rivers of water were everywhere, and now they were quite frankly cheesed off. Then they heard a car coming up the path, "just one" the look-out man said. They had been expecting several cars, for the exchange of drugs and money. They hoped it was not just another loving couple, they wanted some action, any action would do! They waited and watched as the car passed them and stopped just past the danger sign about land subsidence.

John checked that Simon could still see everything. Simon radioed back that there was a clear view through the camera and that John should move everyone up as the two men were getting out of the car, leaving the doors open, possibly for a quick escape. He could just make out, over the noise of the rain, through his sound equipment someone talking and thought that they were getting a message, or possibly just taped message of what to do, as they had just let it carry on as they left the car, so it could be a drug drop. Simon also warned the others that one was drunk and waving what looked like a knife around.

Arguing the two men walked over to a hole in the ground, looked at it, then went back towards the car, as they did so the one with the knife reluctantly put it away, still obviously angry at something. The group of four agents had moved up quietly, quickly and carefully so as not to be seen. The look-out man stayed where he was in case someone else turned up. He was happy, snug and warm hidden in the van, out of sight in the trees, the driver who had been resting was now alert ready for action. As the agents got close they saw the men go round to the trunk, open it and struggle to get something out.

John spoke quietly but sharply into the radio as he realised what was happening. "They are dumping a body. Simon stay were you are and film everything." As he said this one of the two men, who were dragging the victim forward towards the edge of the hole, hit the victim in the ribs. The victim tried to get his breath back, with difficulty as he was gagged. "We cannot have a hostage situation! Just as they let him go, Pete you take the one on the left, Jack the one on the right; take them away from the hole. No shooting. Rick and I will go for the victim."

As John stopped speaking they watched as the victim was pushed violently over the edge. The second he went down, Pete and Jack moved, taking the men out. Although surprised by the noise made by the agents as they gave the verbal warning and tackles, both men fought for their freedom. As they did so the ground next to them gave way, burying the victim and hindering everything. The drop had been several feet and was difficult get to because of the water and mud.

John and Rick tried to watch where the man had been buried, they tried to get some of the soil away from his head. Rick had to stop and help Pete restrain Jake as he had the knife and was not afraid to use it, or anything else, to escape. Jack was having better luck with the other one, but he was still a handful. Realising they needed more help John yelled through the radio to Simon and the look-out man to bring the van around and see if there were shovels in the suspect’s car and help.

Simon fixed the camera for a general view of things, raced to the car and found two shovels. He also took out the tape and put it in a bag in his top pocket for later.

The lookout turned up and grabbed a shovel, the driver parked the van back facing the scene. While helping, the look-out man told John that they were on their own as he had heard over the radio that all the rescue services were at a bad accident on the main road into Sunset Beach. A couple of coaches and a few cars had collided causing general chaos.

John, swearing, continued carefully trying find the victim’s head - a lot soil had fallen on top of him. Although the rain had stopped some water was still running through the soil, he hoped that there would be an air hole as he knew the victim could not help himself. The others were making sure no more soil came down and started to clear away from the lower part where they thought his body would be. The driver secured the two prisoners, now handcuffed, to the inside of the van, found a blanket amongst the junk they kept in the back and made space for the others.

Then John had success, the victim was lying face down and the soil was not compacted around his face and the water was draining away. Carefully, John cleared the mud away while the others carried on clearing the legs and body. Simon handed John the knife that had been taken off the angry drunk prisoner, he carefully cut the gag away and made sure the airways were clear and then removed the blindfold. He could not tell if the victim was breathing. They then lifted the victim up onto the edge of the pathway and tried to see if there were any obvious injuries. They could not free his arms or legs. Rick, who had some medical training, thought he felt a very faint pulse and breathing was very faint, as the victim felt very cold and wet made it was impossible to be sure.

They decided to put the victim in the van and help him breath as they drove him to the hospital. Pete radioed to the hospital for instructions how to get there. Giving them as little detail as possible, he was told they would have to use the Medical Centre as the main one was dealing with the accident victims. They split the team, some would stay, seal the area off, check the car over and tidy up. The driver would return later for them.

While moving, Pete phoned the Centre explaining that they wanted to keep their arrival and patient and whereabouts quiet. She directed them to the back entrance and told them a doctor would be waiting.

They arrived at the back entrance of the hospital without incident. This was a large secure area where the garbage was collected and where vehicles could be kept. The doctor was waiting with a trolley, equipment and a couple of nurses. While Rick still helped the victim to breath. John told the doctor he thought that they had lost the victim on the way as he was very cold and showed no signs of life.

The doctor didn’t wait to get the victim out of the van before checking his heartbeat and putting him on a portable ventilator. The heart beat was there, extremely faint and ragged. John asked if it was alright for Simon to take photos of what was happening and the victims injuries. This was agreed.

They moved him carefully onto a trolley and then into a large room with a bed and all the equipment needed to cope with anything. The door had a big sign Isolation Room Do Not Enter. Unless accompanied by the doctor. Use special clothing provided. The doctor laughed at John’s hesitation "You wanted it kept quiet. This block will not be officially open till next week but we have everything here and can operate without moving him. There are rooms along the passage and some dry clothes in the store room, so take advantage of them while we sort things out. Coffee and sandwiches can be got at the top of the passageway and you can use the office to your left if you want phone or computer. By the way I’m Doctor Richards" He turned to help the nurses. John was quite taken aback by this co-operation, usually they had to show their badges and argue for any help.

They took full advantage of the showers and dry clothes, as they were covered with mud and soaked through. As the others arrived they too changed. John found two small cubicles where the prisoners could be handcuffed to a bed, with toilets just within reach, so he could shut the doors and leave them. The other agents found spare beds and rested knowing they would have a lot to do once the information from the car, and hopefully the prisoners, came through. Everyone knew they would not be able to get anything from the victim. The background noise coming from where the doctor and nurses were working kept on being interrupted by an alarm bell from the monitors.

John rang his base at Seattle with the details of the car and licences they had taken off the men, asking that all leads be followed up. He wanted this case and was not going give it to the local police. When his boss started to disagree he let his anger show for the first time, his boss reluctantly agreed and asked him to find out what happened to the job they were originally on.

John remembered the accident on the main road and rang an inquiry to the local Police Station giving details that they had been waiting for a drug drop. So if they found anything amongst the victims/cars in the accident, he might be able to assist. He gave his mobile as a contact number so it could not be traced to the hospital. A passing nurse reminded him that the mobiles could not be used, or left switched on in the hospital. He went to tell the others and hoped that he would remember to ring the station later for information.

Simon came out of the isolation room with a bag of clothes, handcuffs and his camera. John waited while Simon changed his clothes, then as Simon got a cup of coffee in the office asked "Good or Bad news, there’s only a set of handcuffs, I thought he had his ankles chained?"

Simon replied between gulps of coffee. "They will have to be cut those off later, when he has settled down. List as long as your arm for injuries, not too bad if they were single but altogether could cause problems and, with dehydration and starvation, not to good. They are warming his blood up by machine at present once that is done they will have a better idea of what is going on. But to be honest every minute he is still with us there is more hope. The doctor will give you a better report later. Didn’t know you could have so many tubes stuck in you, yuck! His clothes look expensive and new."

They cleared a space and took the clothes out, trying not to make too much of a mess as they were wet and muddy. They found the labels had been removed and pockets empty until John searched the shirt and found a wet, grubby photo. "We will leave that to dry. It looks as though its possibly a long term kidnapping. The prisoners aren’t saying anything but if we leave them well alone it might just unsettle them", he told Simon.

The phone rang - it was Seattle to say that the records looked correct, but on closer inspection had false addresses and names, also the car had been in an accident earlier that day at a point between Seattle and Sunset Beach. They needed finger prints to identify the men. John asked that all missing persons and kidnappings in the area be checked against the following general description, which he gave. After a sharp retort from the other end that the description was not good and a kidnapping might not have been reported. John told him he knew it was a very long shot but he wanted to know that something was being done, and slammed the phone down. He hated hanging around waiting.

Simon looked at him. "This case has got you." John looked at him grinning "And you?" "Yeah well like you ...I object to seeing people buried alive. Oh! I took a tape from the car, it was playing when they came. Do you want to hear it now or rest a while and come back fresh?"

"Right, listen to tape, then doctor should be free." John called down the passage to Rick "Get finger prints off the prisoners, if there is equipment in the van." Simon laughed because he knew they had nearly everything thrown in the van. It was a case of it had been used once and was portable, chuck it in!

They found a tape machine, played the tape but no sound came so they rewound it for a short while then played it again...a man’s voice was saying "I always promised him a painful death so make sure he is alive before he goes....." John interrupted " Well someone’s going to be unhappy. Lets try it from the beginning. We’ll take notes and then you can transcribe it later" "Thank you very much!" Simon replied sharply, he hated transcribing tapes.

They started the tape ready to take notes, expecting the male voice, and were surprised when a female voice which was light and full of laughter said "Hi Ben darling I hope they are treating you well...Oops! I forgot you can’t speak........"as it played on they looked at each other knowing they were not going to like what was coming.

Later when the Doctor popped his head round the door he stopped and looked at the two men sitting in silence. "I think you need something for shock I’ll get it then give you my verdict." and disappeared. It broke the tension and they gave voice to their thoughts. John said slowly "I think I should have had that rest first." Simon looked at the list of names etc. he had "Can’t believe I made these notes. What do we charge them with, not just with kidnapping and attempted murder surely. She was loving every minute, what was she jealous of? "

The doctor came in with brandy and coffee. Which they took gratefully, as John replied "Having to share her love? I don’t know. I suppose it could be aggravated kidnapping maybe torture, impersonation I don’t know but we have to get them. At present they think they have succeeded. There’s no surnames, dates or places so nothing to go on, just hope our two men will break or he recovers consciousness. How is he?"

Dr Richards had sat down with them. "Still with us. His body temperature is nearly normal so we can take him off one set of machines soon. He needs help with his breathing at present and that could last most of the day if he keeps on going as he is. His heart beat is driving everyone up the wall, including the machine.

Just as you think the heart’s flat lined it beats again, then a couple of beats and flat lines, it is very slightly stronger. I wish it would beat more frequently, we cannot shock it into a better rhythm, it’s too weak. We nearly lost him for good when we had to shock him the first time, we thought we had lost him, so now we leave him alone and watch and hope. His wrists were badly cut by the handcuffs and bad sores higher up, as though he had been in other chains like the ones on his ankles. We’ve cut those chains off and given them to your officer."

He stopped for a second to collect his thoughts then carried on. "Badly bruised all over and various ages, some could be as recent as yesterday, some very deep and could be couple of weeks old. As he has been deprived of some water and food over a period of time, recovery from beatings would take longer. He has very minor internal injuries which do not need treatment just time."

"Cracked ribs, badly strained shoulder, no problems there - just painful. His lungs may get congested as he breathed in some water when he was buried but then again they may remain clear. We are rehydrating him, and to help him regain his strength quicker feeding him through a tube into the stomach." He stopped as the two men pulled faces at the thought of it. "Well it’s less painful than two tubes down your throat, if it makes you feel better. "

John took a deep breath "What do you think of his chances if he also knows that one person he thought he loved didn’t love him and did this to get his money, also that his brother is impersonating him and also hurt the feelings of a person you know you love."

Dr. Richards took a moment to think about it. "Well his chances are good as we have him here and could put him on complete life support if needs. He will either be hopping mad and want to get everything back which will be good. Or just want to stay where he is now in a coma, we know that there is some brain activity but he cannot communicate with us in any way at the moment. So it will be a case of wait and see. If you have got his name in the list the sooner we start using it the better. It may just give us the upper hand. But at present as long as he gets stronger we are happy."

John nodded thoughtfully then said "Right! Simon go through the tape again, make a definite list of names and any relationships mentioned. You can listen to it Doctor if you think it will help. Then rest, which is what I’m going to do now. I’ll send up a fax of that photo and finger prints to Seattle." He left them to it.

Jake was sleeping off the drink. In his room, "Tubs" sat on the edge of the bed brooding, it was silent in the room, he had no idea of the time they had taken his watch and shoes, when he changed out of his wet clothes. Everyone had treated him politely. Then he had been given a drink and had his finger prints taken. Surely they knew who he was by now but no-one had been to ask questions, just this long time of waiting. He didn’t know what was worst, constant questioning or this silent and polite approach. He could not relax, wondering what was going on.

He then realised that Ben must have felt like this except he knew they were going to kill him some when. He shivered. Should he admit to everything and just ask to be put in a jail well away form the others. No.... he knew they would find him.

There was darkness all around, no real feeling, only knowledge that he had lost something and had to keep looking for it... he stopped once and sudden a sharp flash of brightness came... he had not liked that, so he had to carry on looking...... for what he did not know.... only to carry on looking.....

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