looks about the room nervously, straightening the covers on my bed, throwing clothes and shoes under it, making it seem as if I’m not on board.
I’m close to tears, gripped by fear and regret. “Richard… I have to speak to Ayden. Please call him … you can use your phone now can’t you? It doesn’t make any difference if it’s them. They’ve found me.”
“I don’t know, Beth. There’s no time.” He bites his lip and draws a trembling hand across his chin.
“Make time. It could be the last chance I have to speak to him. I want him to know that none of this is his fault. If I don’t do that, he’ll blame himself.” I grip his hand. “Please, go get your phone.”
While he sprints out of the room, I try to take stock. I step out of the wardrobe looking for something, but I don’t know what. What can you reach out for when you might have only minutes left to live? I throw open my jewellery box and fish out my mother’s ring; it’s the gift I thought I would never receive, just like our babies.
Oh God! Our babies…
Richard bounds through the bedroom door and hands me his phone. I choke back emotion and wait for Ayden to answer.
AMID THE PANIC, THERE’S the sound of moving vehicles; the black limousine and the security van are leaving the scene and all that’s left is a wrecked villa and two lives in ruins—mine and Beth’s.
Lester has taken charge. Each member of the crew has a specific role and has scattered like black beetles. This whole operation has turned into a minefield of misunderstandings and out-manoeuvring by a group of people dead set on getting to my wife. I pace and breathe, feeling tight chested and nauseous, trying to resist the temptation to punch someone or something. All I can do is pray.
Please don’t let anything happen to Beth and please keep our babies safe. That’s all I ask.
My phone begins vibrating in my pocket. I wait for it to stop. It vibrates again. I take it out and prepare to turn off the device when I see the name of the caller: Richard Forbes, Obstetrician. I blink, disbelieving my eyes.
What the fuck!
“Hello.”
“Ayden?”
It’s Beth.
“Beth!” My head falls into my hand. “Where are you?”
“I’m on the boat with Richard. There’s no time. There’s a launch approaching the boat. Is it the crew?”
“It’s not, baby.” I swallow back my words. “I’m here with them at the villa.”
“You are!”
I hear her voice cracking. “Yes, we’re…”
“Mr. Stone!” From behind me Lester is shouting, beckoning me into a large off-road vehicle. “Come, hurry.”
Dashing over to them I continue talking. “Beth, we’re on our way. I’m sorry this is happening. I don’t know how it happened. I—”
“…That’s why I wanted Richard to call you, to tell you that it’s not your fault. It’s not your fault, Ayden. I did this, all of it. Whatever happens, I want you to know that.”
“That’s not true, Beth. I’m as responsible as you. I should have taken better care of you and our children.” I hold the phone to my heart and run my fingers across my eyes.
“Who are you talking to, Mr. Stone?” Lester asks, resting his hand on my shoulder.
Through tear-stained eyes, I look across to him. “Beth.”
His eyes widen and his mouth opens, but he says nothing for a second or two. “Beth? On the boat?”
I nod. “She says Richard saw a launch approaching the Athena. They were hoping it was the crew.”
He looks over at Christian and back to me. “Please hand the phone over. We need to give him instructions.” He holds out his hand.
Once I’m seated the vehicle skids across the gravel flinging me sideways. It flies through the gates onto the narrow road on a death race to the port where our launch is waiting to take us to the Athena.
I hold the phone to my ear and listen to my wife weeping. “Beth,” I mumble. “I want you to go hide now. Okay. Just find a place. We’re coming. Hold on. I have to give them the phone. They need to speak to Richard.”
“I understand,” she sobs.
“Please don’t cry. Just hide where they can’t find you. Imagine I’m there. I have my arms around you, Beth. I’m coming and I’ll find you.”
“Mr. Stone!” Lester reaches for the phone once more.
As if inhaling poisonous air I take three shallow breaths in succession. “I have to go. I love you, so much. Be bold,