Fight For Your Life by Catherine Holland (speld decodable readers TXT) 📖

others nodded in agreement still too shocked to speak. “We’re very sorry for you loss, and we’ll have to wait for identification on the victims.”
Rashel suddenly burst out, “Identification? We know our parents are there, that’s why we had the party here! So that they could meet up and have a few drinks.” She then started crying again and held on to her sister Thea for support. “Party? What party?” Markus asked, “Their fifteenth birthday party.” Jamie replied in a shaky voice.
“Do you know of anyone who would want to hurt your parents?” John asked, “No, I can’t think of anyone, my parents are divorced.” Poppy replied. “Where can we reach your father?” Markus asked, “You can’t, he gave up his parental responsibilities, he doesn’t want a child.” Poppy replied bitterly. “We’re going to have to check the Court proceedings for verification, its standard procedure.” Said John, Poppy simply nodded.
Markus’ cell phone started ringing and he left the room to take the call, when he came back in he said, “John may I have a word with you?” John stood up and followed Markus out of the room; they were gone for a few minutes, when they returned they had grave looks on their faces. “What is it?” Charlie asked, and the Detective hesitated.
“Some new evidence has just come to our attention; whoever killed your parents threw a picture on the lawn. I’m afraid you’re going to have to come down to the station with us.” John said. “What! We haven’t done anything wrong! We’ve been in the hotel all night.” Sean said outraged. “I know that, we’re taking you to the station for your own protection, we’ll explain more when we get there.” Markus said gently.
The six friends went up to their rooms and got dressed, they then returned to reception and handed the keys back. The receptionist gave Thea and Rashel some bags for their presents and helped carry them out to the car. Markus called for another car to come to the hotel, a few minutes later a car pulled up and the teenagers got in and were taken to the police station.
At the station the cars pulled up around back, and the teenagers were then led through the station to a very warm and comfortable office, the six friends sat on the two beige sofas near the radiators against the back wall. John and Markus sat on an oak coffee table in front of them. “OK, Poppy we’ve been sent the manuscript from the divorce proceedings, and you’re right; your father has disbanded all parental responsibilities of you.” John said. “We’re now waiting for dental records to identify the victims in the fire, although you’re sure it’s your parents, we need to be sure.” Markus said.
“How many times do we have to say it before you believe us? That’s my house that burnt down, my friends’ parents all went over to my house for a few drinks.” Poppy snapped. “You said at the hotel that new evidence had been found, I’d like to know what it is, especially since we’ve been brought here for our own protection.” Sean said.
John hesitated so Markus spoke, “A picture of all of you was found smashed on the lawn-.” John’s phone started ringing and he left the room to take the call. “- outside of the house, at this point we’re not sure what it means so we’ve brought you here for safety as a precaution.” John re-entered the room looking graver than before. “I’m sorry to break this to you but the dental records have been matched to the victims in the house, which were your parents.
“An accelerant had also been used after death.” All six teenagers started crying, Poppy had been right all along; they were now orphans and the killer was still at large. “What’ll happen to us?” Asked Thea through her tears, “The safest option for you all is to enter the witness protection program, we don’t as of yet have any leads on who the killer may be or who the intended victim was. I’m so very sorry for your loss.” Markus said, and then continued on.
“We’re dispatching officers to your places of residence, they’ll pick up your clothes and bring them back here, Poppy; your mothers’ lawyer has just arrived and would like to see you, don’t worry either myself of John will accompany you.” “No, I want Sean to come with me.” Poppy replied, she then stood up and was followed by Sean, and a uniformed officer escorted them downstairs to one of the interview rooms, where he waited outside. Poppy and Sean entered the room and saw the lawyer, he had his briefcase open on the table.
“Poppy I’m so sorry to be meeting you under such circumstances, but there are a few things we need to discuss.” He said, Poppy and Sean took a seat after shaking hands with the lawyer, once they were all seated he said, “Your mother’s will states that everything goes to you, the house including the land, which will be paid from the insurance, her bank accounts are to be liquidated and added to your trust fund which currently stands at-.”
Poppy interrupted him, “Wait, trust fund? What trust fund?” The lawyer smiled, “Your mother who was a good friend of mine set up a trust fund for you when she found out that she was pregnant with you, and over the years it has grown tremendously, it currently stands at five million dollars, but with the money from your mothers’ accounts, the house and land, it now stands at six point five million dollars.”
Poppy sat speechless, the lawyer smiled again and took a deep breath, “The law stipulates that you cannot gain access to the trust fund for another three years until you turn eighteen, but under the circumstances I’m going to be appealing to the Courts to have that rule changed on your behalf, so that you’ll gain access to the trust fund when you turn sixteen.”
Poppy took a deep breath, “Thank you, we don’t know what our future holds for us, but if you do successfully over-turn the judge’s ruling and keep the money from my fathers’ grasp it’ll be greatly appreciated.” The lawyer smiled again, “The trust fund your mother set up is in your name, so by law he cannot touch or gain access to it, and as your mother died before the divorce proceedings were finalised, your father won’t get a cent, the house and the land was in your mothers’ name, and as your father has renounced any paternal claim upon you he will only receive half of the money from the joint account they shared.
“The will also states that any and all money in the event of her death should be put into your trust fund.” Poppy nodded and stood up, “Thank you again Mr Golsberg.” They shook hands once again and Poppy and Sean returned upstairs to their friends. Markus and John had had drinks brought in for the traumatised teenagers.
Sean picked up two mugs of hot chocolate and handed one to Poppy. “OK, we have a safe house set up for you, and only John and I know its location.” Markus said. “We’ll be leaving after you’ve drunk your drinks and have had a bathroom break.” John said. Half an hour later the six friends were being loaded into an unmarked van and headed off towards their destination.


Chapter Three

Two Months Later


The killer had been staking out the ‘safe house’ for a little over a month, thanks to the information leaked from one of the Detectives inside, he knew that the teenagers thought themselves to be a little secure in this location, he was about to prove them wrong.
The killer drove to a nearby bar and waited for his contact to arrive, while he waited he took tow pictures out of his jacket pocket, he liked to look at these two pictures as they gave him power over the Detective. Susan and little Lucy Saunders were tied up and gagged; they were in his rented apartment a few miles down the road.
The bar door opened and in walked John Saunders, he walked over to where the killer sat, “You’re late.” The killer said in a flat and empty voice. “I’m sorry! It’s difficult to leave my post.” John stuttered. “do you love your wife Detective?” The killer asked in a cold voice. “Yes I love them, and that’s why I’m helping you, so that I’ll get them back safely.”
John said as tears were beginning to well up in his eyes. “Don’t become emotional here, you wouldn’t want anyone here clued in, poor Susan and Lucy would pay the price.” He sneered. John took a few deep breaths and then sat down. “Do you have what I asked for?” The killer asked, “Yes.” John replied in a shaky voice. “A camping trip has been arranged and will go ahead in two weeks’ time.” John hesitated then continued, “When will I get my family back?” “When I get what I want.” The killer said coldly.
John took a piece of paper out of his pocket, “The place we’re taking them to is called Lake View and it’s quite secluded.” John pushed the paper over to the killer who picked it up. “How many officers will be there?” The killer asked in an amused voice. “Three, they’ll be posing as team leaders and will be taking the teenagers out in groups.” John replied. “How quaint.” The killer said, he put the paper in his pocket and stood up.
“You’re to meet me here the night before you leave for the trip, I will then give you the location of your family.” He said. “Thank you.” John replied, the relief evident in his voice, “But be warned John, if I so much as see one police officer who isn’t meant to be there, I’ll come for you and your family, and I promise you this; you’ll watch them die very slowly and painfully.” The killer said in a cold and empty voice, he then left the bar before John could reply.


Two Weeks Later


The killer was sat in the same place as before, John walked in the bar a little earlier than expected and walked straight over to where the killer sat. “You’re early John.” He said, “Well I thought it better planning to be early rather than late.” John replied.
“When will they leave?” The killer asked, “Markus and the teenagers will leave the safe house at seven thirty tomorrow morning.” John replied. The killer sat in thought for a moment then said, “Are you not going to be joining them tomorrow John?” “No, I’ve booked some time off work and I plan on spending it with my family.” Replied John.
“Ah yes, the predictable heart. I wonder what your colleagues would think of our little arrangement.” He mused, John looked shocked. “You... You wouldn’t tell them... Would you?” He stuttered, “I might do.” The killer said coldly. “Why?” John asked incredulously. “Because I can.” The killer replied harshly, John looked at the killer helplessly.
The killer seemed to enjoy watching John squirm in his chair, “Now, for the matter of your