Conspiracy Theory Pt. 03

"Rachel Mitchell," The voice came from behind and above, outside Rachel's field of vision. "I'm arresting you on suspicion of the murder of Amy Hemmings." Rachel heard the ratchet like sound of metal as unseen hands pulled her arms behind her back and the cold steel of handcuffs wrapped around her wrists.

As she was wrenched to her feet Rachel watched the pistol held in the oriental woman's hands never waver from pointing at her face. She shook her head as she became resigned to her fate.

"Get him to a hospital," Simmons said to Yuriko as he nodded towards Dan. "I'll take her in." Yuriko holstered her weapon and helped Dan to his feet as Simmons began to read Rachel her rights. She made sure he was secure under her assistance and they hobbled to a familiar black coloured car.

****

Simmons placed Rachel in the back seat of his car, taking the time to check the handcuffs once more. He was taking no chances with this one! Then he got into the front of the vehicle.

"Listen, I know things," Rachel said as he started the engine. "I'll tell you everything I know – in exchange for some leniency."

"I'm not in a position to make any sort of deal," he answered coldly. "That's why we have the CPS." The car pulled away from the pavement, heading in the opposite direction to the ambulance. "You want to make a deal, confess your sins or just clear your conscience, then you'd better get yourself a bloody good lawyer, 'cause I've got you banged to rights." Simmons added. The car pulled up at a junction.

As the traffic lights turned green, Simmons put the car into first gear and pulled away. A week later from his hospital bed, he would swear that he never saw the white transit van that shot the red light from the opposite direction. It crashed into the side of his Mondeo, spinning it into the air and around 180 degrees. It landed on the road with a bone-shattering thud.

Rachel's vision was restored after a few moments, only tinged with blood from a nasty gash in her forehead. She twisted her arm and found her hand to be free. She stared at her wrist and the metallic restraint of the handcuff – later tests would show that they were old and had minute stress fractures running along the ratchets that locked them together. The shockwave of the explosion had shattered the vital part, releasing her. Must be my lucky day, she thought. She looked at Simmons – his head was resting on the steering wheel. She couldn't tell if he was dead or not, but knew that time was against her if she decided to make sure of his fate. That, and the crowd of people who were now gathering around would make it awkward. Someone pulled her door open and helped her out.

"My brother…he's…" she mumbled, using the pain in her arm from the impact of the collision to provide her with real tears. The concerned bystanders tried to help and in the confusion she slipped away, trying her best to blend in.

North Audley Street, Saturday, 10.14pm

After she had made her escape Rachel decided that she needed to get rid of Crossman. He was certainly the remaining cause of her current predicament. But as she drove she had another thought. Denby was a far bigger threat to her,

She waited over an hour before he appeared. As she had expected he didn't have a protection officer. Century House must be in an uproar. Anything so practical would be on the back burner compared with avoiding responsibility for the situation.

But there had been enough uncertainty about that to make her glad she wore gloves. It wouldn't do to let the gun slip at the crucial moment and the palms of her hands were definitely sweaty.

If he were following his usual routine he would be heading for Selfridges. She slipped from the doorway in which she'd been waiting, holding the gun inconspicuously by her side. She crossed the narrow street and closed on him rapidly. Something made him look round. He turned to face her, surprise on his face.

'Rachel? What on earth are you doing here? Everyone is looking for you.'

'I know,' said Rachel, bringing the pistol up. "All thanks to you!" She fired four times, and would always remember the look on Denby's face. Pain yes. But overwhelmingly utter surprise that something had finally spoiled his scheming.

"How could you? How could you betray me like that?" she screamed as he slid to the pavement, his mouth working and a trickle of blood appearing at the side of his mouth. She fired once more into the top of his head and then turned and walked quickly away, heading for the nearby NCP car park. As she walked she looked back. Nobody had paid any attention to her, but now a Good Samaritan was trying to help Denby sit up, still not realizing what had happened.

She retrieved her getaway car without incident. It would have been nice to make a clean sweep and get the journalist as well, but escape was the priority. She headed out of town and then settled down for a fast run to the coast. They would expect her to go for the fastest option. Instead she was heading for a cross Channel ferry. Using only moderate disguise she could buy a walk on ticket at the docks and be just another foot passenger.

Once in France she had access to an identity she had set up long before. She now realized Lucas was the one who had been paying her. That probably meant she had been killing for him as well. Still over twelve thousand pounds a week tax-free was a tidy little pension, and she could quickly scatter it around a dozen accounts in as many countries. And when it ran short she knew she had a saleable skill. If it did run short!

5. Envoi

Monday, Heathrow Airport

Yuriko walked back from the check in desk, clutching her compact hand luggage tightly in her left hand. She casually glanced at the others waiting in the business class lounge before making her way outside into the main area of the departure lounge. Evading the other passengers flocking to their check in points, she made her way to one of the benches. The plastic seating was uncomfortable, but functional.

"So, you've got it then?" the voice of the person sitting next to her asked. Yuriko nodded.

"Indeed Gideon," She replied as she tapped the bag in her hand. "A complete copy of the database is in here. Togusa will be able to upgrade the Kyushu system and I will be able to cement my position in the corporation." Yuriko found herself looking around out of habit.

"Did you manage to plant the virus on Denby's computer?" Gideon asked. Yuriko nodded.

"It was part of the exchange process – the virus was implanted and should corrupt the system within seven days." Gideon acknowledged her answer.

"Are you sure you can keep it safe?" Yuriko smiled at him.

"Hopefully," she looked up at the departure board. "My flight leaves soon…"

"Yuri, look, erm," Gideon seemed at a loss for words. "Hideo wants me to come over to Todai in a couple of weeks to look at something they've dragged out of some trench in the Pacific. Do you want to have dinner sometime?" Yuriko looked down at the floor for a second.

"I would like that very much." She said before kissing him lightly on the cheek. Without another word Yuriko walked away from Gideon, leaving him with his thoughts in the crowded airport.

3 months later

Borders Bookstore

His hand ached – he'd lost count of the number of books that he'd signed now. However, Dan took solace in one simple fact – the truth was now out there for all to read. The queue had evaporated and he looked across at Mary, the representative from the publishing company.

"I think that's all now Mister Crossman," she said. "You head home and I'll tidy up here."

"Thanks." He said as he limped away. The bullet wound was almost healed, but the limp had become almost part of who he was – a facet of his encounter that he wore with pride. Once he was outside the store and back in the fresh air, he found himself glancing over his shoulder as he made his way to his car.

The key was stiff – which was something he should get fixed because it was starting to annoy him – when he felt a hand on his shoulder and a voice in his ears.

"Mister Crossman," Dan turned – the gentleman standing before him was holding a copy of his book. "I missed you at the store there, I was wondering if you could sign this for me?"

"Sure," Dan said as he pulled a pen from his jacket pocket. He took the book and signed the inside cover.

"Thanks." The man replied, and then extended his hand. Dan shook it. "My name's Pryke and I am a big fan of yours. I've read the book twice, and you know what, sometimes truth is stranger than fiction." He paused for a second as Dan handed the book back to him. "Hey, you ever heard of something called the Bloop signal?"