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Authors: keith lawson
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had to draw it to threaten them it would be best done in the solitude of the woods, away from passing motorists prying eyes. I decided to stay exactly where I was.
I didn’t know what form of transport they would use. Maybe they were already in the forest, watching me. The thought caused me nervously to inspect the nearby surroundings more thoroughly but all I could see were the outlines of the dark demonic trees, their black branches thrusting upwards into the mist.
I was wearing a long brown trench coat with deep side pockets. The pistol fitted neatly inside the right hand pocket but it was not easy to get at sitting in the car so I decided to get out. It was already ten minutes past seven and I should not have long to wait. After switching off the engine I opened the driver’s door and stepped outside into the damp cool air.
The money, minus the extra five thousand I had drawn, was in the holdall on the passenger seat. Within the next half hour its fate would be determined. I looked at it through the window and placed my hand in the pocket of the coat and felt the comforting grip of the gun. If necessary I would have to give all the money to the blackmailers but I still clung to the hope that I could somehow scare them off.
I was surprisingly calm but when I heard the sound of an engine approaching along the main road my heartrate started to increase. I heard the vehicle draw closer but it did not seem to be slowing down then I saw it go by the end of the track, just a blur in the fog, and the sound faded as it went on its way. People were starting to go to work, beginning their regular daily routine, unaware of the drama that was about to unfold in a small quiet corner of the Kent countryside.
A sound behind me, like someone treading on a broken twig, made me swing around and peer into the vaporous wood but I saw no one. I watched for any movement and listened for another sound but only the silent damp trees confronted me. It may have been my imagination or an animal moving in the undergrowth. I was getting jumpy. Keep calm I told myself and sucked in several long deep breaths of the cold wet air. Control your breathing, relax. Keep cool.
Before I left home that morning Sandra had thrown her arms around me and held me close. Still unaware of the possible danger from the Romanian travellers she had offered to accompany me but I could see no point in putting us both in peril and I had assured her that I would be fine. The unmistakable lines of worry that were etched on her face gave me ever more reason to hate whoever was doing this to us. They were destroying our lives, our wellbeing and taking most of our life savings and unless I could frighten them off in some way there was little we could do about it.
Sandra had not been happy at me taking the gun and I had to assure her that I never intended to use it other than as a threat. I was going to act the tough guy, try to show these people that I would not be intimidated and use the weapon merely as a bargaining tool. She didn’t think it would work and secretly in my heart neither did I but it was the only plan that had even the remotest chance of success.
I stood by the side of the Ford with my hand resting on the butt of the automatic, at least that gave me some hope, a feeling of security but then just in case someone was watching in the depths of the forest, I removed my hand from the pocket and allowed it to hang by my side. I didn’t want any observer to think that I may have a concealed weapon. That had to come as a last resort.
Another vehicle came along the main road. The noise of the engine increased as it drew nearer but it did not slow down and again it went by in a flash, the sound fading, allowing the forest to return once more to its gloomy silence.
The seconds ticked by and I waited nervously. Somewhere in the distance a dog barked. I looked at my watch. It was nearly twenty minutes past seven. I had expected them to be here by now.
It is
I didn’t know what form of transport they would use. Maybe they were already in the forest, watching me. The thought caused me nervously to inspect the nearby surroundings more thoroughly but all I could see were the outlines of the dark demonic trees, their black branches thrusting upwards into the mist.
I was wearing a long brown trench coat with deep side pockets. The pistol fitted neatly inside the right hand pocket but it was not easy to get at sitting in the car so I decided to get out. It was already ten minutes past seven and I should not have long to wait. After switching off the engine I opened the driver’s door and stepped outside into the damp cool air.
The money, minus the extra five thousand I had drawn, was in the holdall on the passenger seat. Within the next half hour its fate would be determined. I looked at it through the window and placed my hand in the pocket of the coat and felt the comforting grip of the gun. If necessary I would have to give all the money to the blackmailers but I still clung to the hope that I could somehow scare them off.
I was surprisingly calm but when I heard the sound of an engine approaching along the main road my heartrate started to increase. I heard the vehicle draw closer but it did not seem to be slowing down then I saw it go by the end of the track, just a blur in the fog, and the sound faded as it went on its way. People were starting to go to work, beginning their regular daily routine, unaware of the drama that was about to unfold in a small quiet corner of the Kent countryside.
A sound behind me, like someone treading on a broken twig, made me swing around and peer into the vaporous wood but I saw no one. I watched for any movement and listened for another sound but only the silent damp trees confronted me. It may have been my imagination or an animal moving in the undergrowth. I was getting jumpy. Keep calm I told myself and sucked in several long deep breaths of the cold wet air. Control your breathing, relax. Keep cool.
Before I left home that morning Sandra had thrown her arms around me and held me close. Still unaware of the possible danger from the Romanian travellers she had offered to accompany me but I could see no point in putting us both in peril and I had assured her that I would be fine. The unmistakable lines of worry that were etched on her face gave me ever more reason to hate whoever was doing this to us. They were destroying our lives, our wellbeing and taking most of our life savings and unless I could frighten them off in some way there was little we could do about it.
Sandra had not been happy at me taking the gun and I had to assure her that I never intended to use it other than as a threat. I was going to act the tough guy, try to show these people that I would not be intimidated and use the weapon merely as a bargaining tool. She didn’t think it would work and secretly in my heart neither did I but it was the only plan that had even the remotest chance of success.
I stood by the side of the Ford with my hand resting on the butt of the automatic, at least that gave me some hope, a feeling of security but then just in case someone was watching in the depths of the forest, I removed my hand from the pocket and allowed it to hang by my side. I didn’t want any observer to think that I may have a concealed weapon. That had to come as a last resort.
Another vehicle came along the main road. The noise of the engine increased as it drew nearer but it did not slow down and again it went by in a flash, the sound fading, allowing the forest to return once more to its gloomy silence.
The seconds ticked by and I waited nervously. Somewhere in the distance a dog barked. I looked at my watch. It was nearly twenty minutes past seven. I had expected them to be here by now.
It is
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