Read Online Run Girl: Ingrid Skyberg FBI Thrillers Prequel Novella by Eva Hudson - Free Book Online

us.”
    Angelis shrugged. “Not necessary. They’d call me if they found anything.”
    Ingrid was acutely aware time was ticking down. Angelis seemed far too relaxed about everything. They had less than ten hours to locate Rachel Whitticker and pick her up. As far as Ingrid was concerned, they were nowhere near that objective. “But we can travel via helicopter?”
    “If I can swing it with the powers that be. Leave it with me.” Over coffee Angelis made several calls, each conversation more heated than the one before. Despite her better judgment, Ingrid was actually impressed by his powers of persuasion.
    A half hour later they were ducking their heads beneath the downdraft of the rotor blades of the Eurocopter EC120 at a helipad just south of the River Thames in Battersea.
    “You’ve got to admit,” Angelis hollered as they boarded, “I do know how to travel in style.”
    Ingrid buckled up and prepared herself for what the pilot promised would be a bumpy ride.
    The journey was mercifully without incident and the helicopter touched down in a farmer’s field near the village of Bicknacre just twenty-five minutes later. A taxi was waiting with its engine running in the dirt track that ran along one side of the field.
    “Mr Oxley better bloody well be there when we arrive,” Angelis said as the cab bumped along the track.
    “Let’s hope his beautiful new girlfriend is with him.”
    The taxi pulled in toward the curb twenty or so yards from the dinky little cottage. After giving the driver strict instructions to stay exactly where he was if he expected to get paid, Ingrid and Angelis climbed out and made their way down the narrow road.
    The cottage was set apart from the other properties on the street, on its own little patch of land. Even though the day was gloomy, there were no lights on inside.
    “You think the woman from the lawyers office spooked him so much he fled?” Ingrid asked as they pushed through the blue painted wooden gate.
    “One way to find out.” Angelis strode up the brick-paved snaking path and lifted a fist toward the front door.
    Ingrid grabbed his arm before he made contact. “Maybe we shouldn’t announce our arrival.”
    “What are you suggesting? Picking the lock?”
    “Can you?”
    “I have many skills, but I’m afraid that isn’t one of them.”
    Ingrid peered toward the right hand edge of the cottage. “The path probably goes all the way around to the backyard. I’ll find a way in through the rear door.” She started to move off, but Angelis tugged on her jacket.
    “I’ll take the back door. Don’t even think about arguing with me. I absolutely insist. Give me a couple of minutes.”
    Ingrid watched Angelis disappear around the side of the building. A few moments later she heard the crash of breaking glass. A moment or two after that she heard what sounded like the thump of footsteps coming down a flight of stairs. The front door swung wide open. Ingrid was suddenly face to face with a skinny boy dressed in low slung jeans and a hooded sweat top. He looked at her through big round glasses, his floppy dark hair falling over his eyes. He glanced left then right.
    “If you’re thinking of trying to get past me, I suggest you think again.” She took a step forward. “I can’t let that happen.” She lifted a foot over the threshold, forcing the young man further back inside the house.
    “Shit!” Oxley turned quickly and started to run.
    Straight into the open arms of Nick Angelis.

13
    “Careful,” Angelis said, grabbing the youth’s shoulders and pushing him away a few inches to focus more closely on his face. “You might do yourself an injury.” He smiled. “And we wouldn’t want that, would we? At least, not yet.” He forcibly turned Oxley around, slipping a restraining arm across his shoulders, then guided him down the narrow, dark hall to an open door at the other end.
    Ingrid pushed open the only other door on the lower floor. It led into a small, gloomy,