Weapon of Desire (38 page)

The receptionist suspiciously eyes the men as
they hand her a photograph and continue to fire questions in Spanish. Swiftly responding I hear my name Jessica Palmer as she hands back the print. In amongst their garbled conversation I catch the words “Darcey Brooks.” The strong German accent saturates my already heightened senses.

T
he receptionist looks on overwhelmed with their news. She was taking a call when I arrived and clearly hadn’t seen me hide in this corner. I capture 3pm being mentioned as they stare down at their watches. Then she points out towards the library café where I assume she is asking them to wait. Relieved I watch her sweetly smile knowing this buys me some time to escape.

The German
shuffles impatiently revealing that terrifying glare I know so well.

“Gracias.” They turn and exit through the main door.

S
taring at my muted phone I realise that I’ve missed a call from Anton. I’ve half an hour to get back, pack some items, call Daniel and get on a train somewhere… anyway! I make my hasty exit scraping my hair back up in my cap and mingling with a small group of students as they leave the library.

Out of breathe I leap the steps up to the apartment and nervously fiddle with the key in the lock which seems to take forever. Closing the door behind me I quickly plug in my phone to charge while I grab Daniel’s sport’s bag and stuff with a few items of clothing and a wash bag.

I rummage to the back of the bedroom drawer to retrieve my
fake passport with an envelope stashed with euros for emergencies. I stare at the clock its 2.45 and then I remember Anton, I must call him back. Swinging the bag over my shoulder I tap out a short text to Daniel recalling the time difference in Los Angeles. It will be just after six in the morning and he may be still sleeping.

They’
ve found me!!!! I’m leaving. Call me when you get this.

Darcey X

Before I can call Anton there’s a knock at the door. My heart is pounding so loudly I can hardly think straight.

Anton’s
voice is stressed “Darcey.” Something is wrong.

Suddenly I hear a male voice with a German accent. “Darcey open up.”

Quietly I open the balcony doors and throw my bag down below. I hear a single gunshot and a thud on the floor, my instincts tell me to jump as I climb over the balcony hanging freely above the courtyard. A loud crash comes from the apartment as I drop to the floor retrieving my bag and dashing through the courtyard towards the gated exit.

I feel
sick; my new life has just collapsed, where do I run to? Why can’t my life be simple, why can’t I be happy for once? I want to speak to Daniel; he’d know what to do. I need to talk to someone. I burst through the gates and onto the street looking in both directions searching for a passing taxi or bus. Running towards the busy city centre I know that the train station isn’t too far.

A
car screeches out onto the road behind me making a good pace. My legs feel like jelly and my brain has gone into meltdown. A familiar man’s voice shouts from the speeding car. “Darcey!”

Without turnin
g around to acknowledge him I begin to sprint faster. The car follows alongside as my phone rings constantly from inside my bag.

“Darcey stop!”
I know him but I don’t want to take any chances.

R
unning as fast as I can I reach the crossroads as the car pulls sharply in front of me. Nick leans out of the car window “Darcey get in.”

I stand staring into his
face; the realisation comes thundering down on me, it’s not all over. I give into the notion that I’m beat; I can’t hide or run anymore. Walking around to the passenger side of his car I open the door to climb inside.

“You’
ve been hard to find; I traced your call to Rosemary yesterday but so did our German friends.” Nick smiles as he swivels in his seat and removes an earpiece. “You’re looking well Darcey or should I say Jessica.”

I manage a smile and then suddenly break down as my emotions
run freely. I’m really pleased to see Nick again and welcome his comforting arm around my shoulders.

“How’s Anthony?” I eventually murmur.

“He’s ok; he’s never given up looking for you.” Nick peers down at me. “Why did you run?”

“I
was frightened…..I couldn’t take anymore.” I wipe my face with the back of my hand.

He leans back in his seat and starts the engine. “We
’d better get out of here; Colonel Garner has a plane waiting at a nearby airfield.”

My mobile ring
s again inside my bag. “I need to speak to Daniel.” I pipe up with conviction. Nick looks confused as I answer Daniel’s call.

“
I’m sorry Daniel.” I look across to Nick who listens with a troubled expression. “Nick is driving me to an airfield, I’m heading back.”

Daniel is silent and I know he must feel useless being so many miles away. I remember Anton
calling me as my words trail off into a distorted mutter “I think they shot Anton.”

“Darcey I’ll get a flight to the UK today,
take care…….I love you.” I end the call putting the phone back inside my bag.

Nick stares as I
’m not forthcoming with conversation. “Darcey police have been watching your apartment since lunchtime; your friend is fine, they shot one of the German accomplices.”

“What a mess!” I look down at my hands
as I think about the chaos I’ve caused.

I can only imagine how angry
Anthony will be after learning that I’ve been with Daniel. Even more worrying is that I’m a key witness at this highly publicised trial and they’re still trying to kill me!

“Darcey this mess can be fixed. There are people back home
that love you, including Anthony and knowing you’re alive has been the best Christmas present ever.” Nick grabs my hand “Don’t worry everything is going to be fine.” 

Arriving at the airfield, Nick takes my bag as I climb the steps o
f the awaiting small freight plane. The engine is running drowning out the voices of fear that scream inside my head and that familiar feeling of terror starting to rise again in my stomach.

“Will I be arrested?” I question as Nick straps me into a seat.

He smiles down at me “They’ll want to question you but you’ve done nothing wrong.  You’re the victim not the villain.”

“But I killed a man.” I stare up into his eyes looking for assurance.

“He was going to kill you! It was self-defence.” Nick sits down beside me. “Stop worrying, Anthony has arranged for a top lawyer to support you.”

The plane takes off and steadily climbs up breaking through the clouds.
How wonderful it would be to stay up here forever. The solace of Madrid and the sinking sunsets seem to be a distant dream as dark grey skies rolls by.

“Darcey you don’t
realise how relieved and happy Anthony is… he wants me to tell you that he loves you and can’t wait to see you.” Nick is brimming over with joy for Anthony’s renewed happiness.

A solitary tear runs down my cheek as I stare at Nick’s puzzled face.

“I’ve missed him too.” I grin unable to speak feeling overwhelmed and drained emotionally.

I was Anthony’s fiancé just over a month ago and
back then I couldn’t imagine life without him. I would do anything for him and he would do the same for me.

I smile remembering how he
made love to me under the stars and carried me fully clothed into a sunken bath. His hot passion still flows through my veins as I close my eyes recalling how good he felt deep inside.

The passion spills over into anger as I remember
Marie’s poisoned words, did she tell me the truth; was he with her on those evenings? Why did he lie to me and can I trust him again? I love him so much and not a day has passed where he hasn’t drifted into my thoughts.

This is so difficult; I
also love Daniel and promised him I would try to make our relationship work. After all he has done for me how can I hurt him now? I need him, he is my rock.

My thoughts turn towards my Mum and how sorry I am for causing her weeks of heartache. “How is my Mum?”

“She’s bearing up………she wants to be at Dorton to meet you from the plane. We promised her that we’d find you.” Nick grins with self-satisfaction.

The short flight ends abruptly as the plane touches down at Dorton Airfield just before 6pm. I can see the many officers waiting at the edge of the runway and my heart gallops hysterically. I can’t breathe
as I panic trying to tear the seatbelt away from lap. Leaning forward I attempt to calm myself, holding my head with my shaky hands, staring down at my feet. Nick immediately kneels in front of me and grasps hold of my wrists.

“Darcey ….breathe slowly…I won’
t leave your side, you’ll be ok I promise.”

I look down into
his eyes and pray he’s right. The side door opens as the cool air gushes in and blows gently against my face. Nick delves inside his pocket and reveals my locket with my lucky coin inside. Reaching over my head he places the heart on my chest and smiles sweetly.

“This belongs to you;
as long as you wear it you’ll be safe.” He holds out a comforting hand “……..are you ready to go?”

I nod nervously
grabbing hold of his fingers as I peek sideways at the many faces that are floodlit across the runway.

Rising
to stand alongside Nick his soothing arm wraps around my back as he winks cheekily with a grin “Let’s face the music …….”