Page 61 of Captive Hearts
Twenty-Four
Pete was jumping from channel to channel. All of the news stations were playing the last conversation with the detective, though they were all at a different point, so as he flicked from one channel to the next, Pete was saying, ‘Asian countries,’ to, ‘Funny haircut,’ to ‘Egypt. That’s where I’ll go.’ to, ‘I don’t like sushi.’ Pete was rapt. ‘Bloody hell. I’m mega-famous now,’ Pete said wondrously.
For about a week, Ashley thought.No matter what happens, you’ll soon be forgotten. As you should be.
‘Do you think Kara’s seen it? What am I saying, ofcourseshe has,’ Pete said, shaking his head. ‘But… Do you think… Do you think she thinks I’m like, funny?’
‘Funny?’ Ashley repeated. ‘Were youtryingto be funny?’
Pete frowned. ‘No, but… watching it back, I think it seems like I am now.’
Ashley would have loved to say, ‘If by funny you mean completely stupid, you’re bang on, Pete.’ But of course, what she said was, ‘Yeah. I’m sure she thinks you’re very funny and charming.’
Pete’s face lit up. ‘Yeah? Charming?’
‘Totally.’
Pete turned his smug, happy face back to the screen and kept flicking back and forth, enjoying seeing himself on all the channels.
Nearby, Gina was sat with her camera on her knee. It was switched off, but Gina was running a hand over it, practically caressing it. Ashley wished she had a comforting thing to stroke. Other than Gina in that cupboard.
Ashley admonished herself for the sexy thought before she realised that the events in the cupboard were a good thing to cling to right now. She needed to remember that pleasure. Because Ashley had never been this stressed in her life. She felt like if she fell over, she’d smash. Practically all that was holding her together was the knowledge that Gina was nearby and that if the chips were down, she could be counted on. Whatever they were to each other, whatever they could be – orcouldhave been – Gina would be there if needed. And the reverse was true. Ashley would look out for Gina, protect her however she could.
She checked the clock on the wall. It was half eleven.
‘Hey, have a look at the car park,’ Pete instructed her. ‘See if it’s cleared out.’
Ashley nodded and went to the window, flicking back a blind tentatively to peer out into the night. The police presence had indeed pushed right back, leaving space for this alleged plane. At the edge of the car park, a lot of faces under helmets zeroed in on Ashley, as well as Kara Malone, peeking from her shield. Ashley had the instinct to wave at them all and fought it back.
‘All clear and ready,’ she told Pete, dropping the blind. And then she heard it. A motor. Loud. High.
‘That’s the plane, isn’t it?’ Pete asked, bouncing up like a dog responding to a treat. ‘It’s really here.’
Ashley was still dubious, but she asked. ‘You want me to check?’
‘Yeah.’
She flicked the blind back again and stared up into the sky. She couldn’t see it yet. ‘Erm, it’s not in my range yet. Give it a minute. Oh, hang on.’ She saw it, at last, a plane flying over the restaurant, flying in the opposite direction, away from the restaurant. She didn’t understand initially what it was doing as it got smaller and smaller. But then, when it was just a dot, she saw its path move sideways.
‘What’s it doing now?’ Pete asked.
‘It’s… I think it’s turning around,’ she told him as she watched the plane fly around, its wheels unfolding as it lowered itself down the road, until it dropped out of Ashley’s view. But she could hear the clank of its wheels as it banked. She watched the road carefully until the plane hoved into view, driving up the street like a car, slowing for a left turn into the car park through a wide gap in the cop cars, where it slowed to a halt a few feet in front of Jimmy’s.
The plane was white with a blue stripe, with three wheels, just your average light aircraft. But as far as Ashley was concerned, she might as well have watched a genie pop out of a bottle. The detective had done it. She’d gotten a plane for Pete. It might have been impressive were it not for the fact that this was the choice she’d made rather than simply relying on her own hostage negotiation skills. Or lack thereof.
‘Pete, I believe that’s your ride,’ Ashley announced.
Pete was hopping around on the spot, full of nervous energy. The rest of the room looked a lot less exuberant. Leanne, Tina, Greg, and Sam were bunched up in a tight little wad, watching Pete like he was a grenade with a very loose pin. Gina was nearby, though not a part of the group, not watching Pete either. She was looking at Ashley. But she didn’t seem scared, exactly. It was more as though she were communicating something like, ‘Here we go.’ Ashley gave her a small nod. Funny how little they’d spoken today. And how much they were able to say.
‘Right, I think I need a quick wee before midnight. Won’t be many chances after that, I guess. Unless they’ve got a bucket on board. Maybe I could pee out the window?’ Pete rambled. ‘Anyway, I just need to pop you all in the cupboard while I do it, alright?’
‘Everyone?’ Gina asked.
‘What, you want me to take it on faith someone won’t have the bright idea to go for a stroll while I’m having a slash?’ Pete said with a mirthless laugh. He held up his gun and waved it in the direction of the kitchen. ‘You know the way, lead ‘em in.’
Gina stood, and everyone followed, Ashley right behind her. Even though Ashley had half hoped for one last moment in the cupboard, this wasn’t quite what she’d had in mind. Rather than an intimate moment of sexy comfort, it would be more in the vein of being stuffed into a crowded elevator, hoping no one farted.
Ashley walked into the cupboard and turned to Pete, the group at her back. He was grinning. But there was something dark underneath. Ashley was pretty sure it was abject terror. ‘Right, so I think it’s just a piss, but you never know, so don’t panic if I’m not back in five,’ he said with a wink. He slammed the door.
