Adrian Wills [Wills - Conspiracy

Conspiracy

A Tom Blake Thriller

First Kindle Edition

Copyright Adrian Wills 2019

A n almost perfectly round, pink bloody smear patterned the inside of the shattered windscreen and below it, the man Blake knew only as River was slumped over the dashboard with a mashed-up face and his breath wheezing in a wet rasp. An innocent victim. Collateral damage. Not that Blake was too concerned. It wasnt as if the guys injuries were life-threatening. Hed be sore for a while, but hed survive.

He was more worried about the teenager to Rivers left and whether shed noticed hed unclipped his seatbelt in the final few seconds before the collision. Probably not. She was staring vacantly into space and gripping the handle above her head with a white-knuckled death grip. Jenni? Are you okay? he asked, rubbing a hand over his neck.

She continued to stare silently through the windscreen, eyes wide and her face pale. At least she wasnt screaming, which he guessed meant she wasnt hurt. That would have taken some explaining.

Crashing the van hadnt been part of the plan, at least not until the opportunity had presented itself. Blake had acted on instinct as his options narrowed, and on reflection, it had worked out pretty well. If nothing else it had bought him some time, although he hadnt counted on the crowds, drawn by the noise of the smash. Londoners had grown fearful of terrorist threats in recent years, and the screeching metal and hollow bang that reverberated off the walls of the tall buildings must have sounded like a bomb going off. No wonder everyone looked so shocked.

The front of the van had crumpled like cardboard and steam rose from the ruptured radiator with an angry hiss. The police patrol car hadnt fared much better, shunted across the road with its rear end mangled. Luckily, neither of the two police officers whod taken up positions at the junction to enforce a road closure outside the Bank of England had been injured. Theyd jumped clear as they heard the over-revving van approach from behind and were both now back on their feet, their semi-automatic carbines cocked and raised.

Muffled groans and the stiff movement of injured bodies came from the back of the vehicle. Blake imagined a tangle of arms, legs and broken bones in the cramped and dusty load bay. And yet he didnt feel the slightest trace of guilt. He had a job to do. He shouldered open his door and stepped out into the street, wincing as a jagged dagger of pain spread across his shoulders and up his neck. A touch of whiplash. Nothing serious.

The two police officers crabbed closer, staring down the sights of their rifles trained on Blakes chest.

Put your hands on your head, one of them screamed. And get down on your knees.

Blake couldnt blame them for being pissed off. The police had been on high alert as anti-capitalist protests spiralled out of control across the city. But he wasnt in the mood to be bullied by two angry cops. He slammed the door of the van shut, keeping his hands in plain view of the officers. No point inviting them to shoot. There was nothing I could do, officer, he said. The brakes on this old thing

I said get down on the ground! the officer yelled before he could finish.

My daughters in the cab. I think shes hurt. Blake figured neither of the cops had it in them to pull the trigger if he kept his movements slow and deliberate, with his hands in full view. I need to check shes okay. Shes only fifteen.

The officer opened his mouth and shut it again, marking Blakes every move with his weapon as he edged towards the passenger door.

He helped Jenni out, guiding her by her arm. Honey, are you okay? he asked with genuine concern.

Jenni squinted at him as if trying to place his face.

I think shes okay, said Blake, feigning relief, but my friend looks in a bad way. I think he needs an ambulance.

As Blake stepped to one side, the second officer caught sight of Rivers bloodied body and immediately leapt into the cab, calling for urgent medical assistance on his radio.

There are some others in the back who might be hurt too, Blake explained to the first cop.

Show me. Slowly.

Four pairs of eyes blinked in the sudden light when Blake wrenched open a sliding door. The young woman, who called herself Pixie, clutched her arm at an odd angle. She was one of those earth mother types with wide hips and a superior sneer etched on her face. You idiot, she hissed at Blake. What have you done?

Blake tried and failed to hide his self-satisfied smile.

Next to Pixie, Woody lay on the floor holding his face with bloodied hands. It looked suspiciously like hed broken his nose. Two others, Ed, with a mouthful of crooked teeth and ash-blond dreadlocks tossed over his shoulder, and Leif, who had the arresting looks of a male model, were sitting quietly with pained expressions.

The officer sucked in his breath when he stepped closer and saw the collection of hammers, crowbars, axe handles and bricks. Then he caught the stench of petrol that had spilled from half a dozen bottles stuffed with rags they intended to use as firebombs. He raised his gun and ordered the four of them out.

Pixie spat in his face. Fuck you.

I said, get out.

Dont touch me, pig!

Blake grabbed Jennis hand and edged away from the van while the officers attention was distracted. They shuffled towards the throng of bystanders gawping for a better look at what all the commotion was about, and in a moment were swallowed up in the crowd.

Blake headed for a dark alley between two buildings, conscious they didnt have much time before the policemen realised they were gone.

Where are we going?

Somewhere safe, said Blake.

What about River? Jenni snatched her hand from Blakes grasp and tried to turn back.

No, you dont. Im taking you home, said Blake, grabbing her arm.

I dont want to go home, she yelled. I want to be with River and the others.

In a police cell for the night? Is that what you really want?

Let me go. Jenni stamped a foot and cried out in frustration. Who do you think you are anyway?

You dont want to know.

Oh right, she said. I suppose you work for my father. Did he put you up to this?

Look, Im only doing my job, and thats to get you to safety.

I was perfectly safe until you crashed the van.

Come on, your parents are worried.

Like they care. Im not going home.

Im not arguing with you.

You cant make me.

For Christs sake, Jenni, grow up, Blake snapped.

Let me go, or Ill scream. And when the police come Ill tell them you threatened to rape me. I know what they do to paedos in prison. Its not very pretty.

I dont have time for this.

Theyll probably cut off your

Enough! If youre arrested, how long do you think it will be before its all over the papers?

Jenni stuck out her bottom lip like a sulky child and lowered her gaze.