IMPOSTURE: Hunters become the hunted in this gripping murder mystery Ray Clark (lightest ebook reader TXT) 📖

Gardener figured that it must have been Anthony Palmer. “Well thank you for letting us know. We’ll take it from here.”

Gardener turned and walked toward the unit, giving neither of them a chance to elaborate. As he reached the glass-fronted office he heard more cars pulling into the compound.

The rest of his team had arrived. One parked up near the pool car, and the other two blocked the gate. Everyone alighted and trotted over.

“What do you know?” said Rawson.

“Nothing… yet,” said Reilly.

“We were about to have a look round when those two came to let us know what’s been happening.”

“Has something?” asked Colin Sharp.

“Yes,” said Gardener, “apparently Anthony Palmer is here. Or so we believe.”

“What, here? In this building?” asked Longstaff.

“We think it’s him,” said Reilly.

Rawson glanced around, peering at the upstairs windows.

As Gardener studied the side of the building he noticed the small metal door next to the large roller shutter door was ajar.

“Right,” said Gardener. “I have no idea what’s happening in there, if anything is. We need to split up and cover the building equally, blocking any and all exits. Colin and Dave, I’d like you two round the back, see if you can find a way in.

“Bob and Frank, can you two cover that side door and make sure no one leaves? Paul, Patrick, Sarah and Julie, can you come with us through the front entrance?”

“Have Ant and Dec said anything else about the place?” asked Frank Thornton. “Have they seen anyone else?”

“No. They said they’d seen someone walk in but that’s all,” said Gardener.

“So no one’s seen Roger?” asked Bob Anderson.

“They wouldn’t know Roger,” said Reilly.

“What I’m getting at is this: is Roger armed?”

That silenced everyone. It was something Gardener hadn’t really considered.

“I know he’s military but I don’t think he thinks he needs anything to see this lot off,” said Reilly. “They’re no match for him and he’s proved it.”

“Fair point,” said Sharp, “but we have no idea what kind of finale he’s planning, have we?”

“No,” said Gardener, “and we’re not going to find out standing here. I’m with Sean, I don’t think he’s armed so on my head be it.”

“Might not be your fucking head that comes off,” said Rawson, laughing, nervously.

“If it is we’ll bury it with honours,” said Reilly.

“You’re all heart,” said Gardener, “let’s get moving.”

Each of the men set about their tasks. Gardener and Reilly turned and walked toward the offices with Paul Benson, Patrick Edwards, Julie Longstaff and Sarah Gates.

“What if he’s in there, sir?” said Patrick.

“He’ll definitely be in there, son,” said Reilly, “it’s just a case of where.”

“That’s not what I meant. What if he’s in the offices?”

By the time it had been said, Gardener was pulling open the door, peering inside. He saw an office, a computer, chairs, and CCTV cameras. The only other thing of note was a carrier bag abandoned under one of the chairs, which he figured was alien to the scene.

“All clear,” said Gardener.

Everyone trooped inside. Gardener studied the room, noticed a pair of feet behind the counter. He motioned to Reilly to approach with caution.

Reilly pointed to the others to remain where they were, whilst he crept around the side of the counter.

He bent down, standing back up within seconds. “Too late,” he said.

Gardener walked forward. “Who is it?”

“Zoe Harrison, but she’s not looking her best.”

Gardener reached Reilly and bent down. The Lord only knew what Roger Hunter had done to her but the end would not have been pleasant, especially considering how he’d treated James Henshaw and Michael Foreman.

“What do you think?” he asked Reilly.

“No idea, boss. Something nasty – looking at her.”

Gardener stood up and faced the only door in the room that would take them into the unknown.

“Well, he’s not in here, is he?”

“So he must be in there.” Reilly nodded to the door.

Gardener glanced at the others. “Can you stay here, make sure no one comes through the door and tries to leave.”

“Unless it’s us,” added Reilly with a smile.

Chapter Fifty-nine

Once through the door, Anthony received the first of two shocks. One was the fact that it was pitch black, and his eyes were completely unaccustomed to it. He immediately turned tail, reaching for the door handle. When he found it and tried to turn it, nothing happened. The door wouldn’t open to allow him back into the reception area.

How the fuck had he done that? thought Anthony.

Sheer panic rose within him and he tried again but nothing gave. With a deep sigh and a resignation, he turned to face whatever unknown horrors Roger had in store for him.

Then the lights came on.

He blinked furiously, holding on tightly to the mace and the syringe. They held very little comfort for him anyway but if he lost them he’d probably lose his mind.

As his eyes adjusted he found himself in a corridor, constructed of wooden boards. Around two feet in width, it stretched about ten feet in front of him. He glanced upwards and immediately recognised the roof of the warehouse, with its criss-cross steel beams and large domed lights. Although he considered it, the walls were too smooth and too high to climb so he had no choice but to move forward.

He was grateful that the building beyond the reception was deathly quiet. Yes, it meant he had to be careful about making any noise and telegraphing his approach but Roger Hunter had built the contraption, so he would know exactly the route Anthony was taking. He twisted his head to make sure. With no choice, Anthony moved forward, seething with anger and resentment, mainly for what had happened to Zoe and the others. Roger Hunter might