The man grinned. ‘Oh, you would have liked it. I did, I loved it. The man who asked the questions was very clever. I remember now, it was called Sale of the Century. I like quiz shows. I like questions. I always liked questions.’

Jessie forced herself to smile at him. ‘Really? Can I ask you a question, then?’

He smiled at her, positively beaming with pleasure. ‘Of course you can, silly! Ask me anything you like, anything at all. I bet I can answer it.’

Jessie pulled herself up on to her elbows and, looking the man straight in the eyes, she asked quietly, ‘Why are you doing this to me? What have I ever done to you?’

He turned away from her, but when he turned back to face her, he was laughing again. ‘I told you before, Jessie, this isn’t about you! You are the weapon I need, Jessie, to bring your father to his knees. When I finally deliver you to him, starved, shackled and, of course, dead, he will finally understand the meaning of despair. Complete and utter despair. It’s a pain that is unique. You see, one thing I have learnt, Jessie, is the worst pain of all is not your own suffering, but knowing about the suffering of the people you really care about. That’s a far worse pain, worse than any physical harm you might have to endure yourself.’

He was smiling at her again, as if he had just given her the secret of eternal happiness. Then he said matter-of-factly, ‘Think about your little boy Jake. Imagine if I starved him to death. That would be a far worse pain to you, than what you’re experiencing now, wouldn’t it? Do you see what I mean? Understand what I’m getting at?’

Jessie didn’t answer him; she felt sick at what he had said to her. This was surreal, unbelievable, and yet it was really happening.

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Seven

Chapter One Hundred
and Twenty-Seven

‘There are people searching Kent as well as Essex, Michael. He can’t fucking evade us for ever. I have mobilised everyone that we work with throughout the British Isles, and they are all on the hunt as well. The fifty grand is a big incentive but, also, I think this cunt has really put a lot of backs up.’

Michael didn’t reply. He was so tired, but he just couldn’t sleep. He was still holed up in the offices at Canary Wharf with Declan. It was where everyone knew to contact them.