No Strings

Chapter 27

I had been in many serious situations in my life, some of them life and death situations, but this was the first time I had had a gun pointed at my head. I didn't think the arsehole would actually shoot it but I wasn't going to do anything to antagonise him right now. Instead, I concentrated on breathing and trying to empty my head of any uselessly stressful thoughts.

This was hard to do once Sarah had appeared. Was she going to be able to deal with this? She was sensible and intelligent but she didn't have my experience and training. She might easily make the whole situation worse. And it was unbelievably tough to just sit here, totally under control of this lunatic and not be able to do anything to protect her, or even comfort her. The only thing I could do was make sure she couldn't see any fear in my eyes.

It took her a moment to register what was in front of her. It wasn't every day you saw a gun being waved around in your own kitchen. I was just relieved she hadn't come in here naked. At least she was covered.

"Paul!" she gasped. "What are you doing?"

He moved the gun away from my head and for a moment I thought he was going to point it at her, but instead he held it loosely at his side. I took in a shuddering breath.

"Hello Sarah," he said cheerfully. "Did we wake you?"

"What are you doing?" she said again, her face pale under the bright lighting. "Why were you pointing that at Jake?" Her voice wobbled and I noticed tears in her eyes. I desperately wanted to say something to comfort her but knew I was better staying quiet.

"Jake and I have been having a little chat," he said. "Haven't we Jake?" and he stroked my cheek with the nuzzle of his gun. It took all my self control not to recoil, but I wasn't going to give him the pleasure.

"Paul," Sarah said gently. She was no idiot, this girl, she knew not to be too combative. I could see anger in her eyes but she was doing her best to dampen it down. "Stop messing with him. He's just my neighbour. Let him go."

The asshole made an ugly snorting sound. "Do all your neighbours sleep in your fucking bed?"

"It's nothing Paul," she said. "He comes over sometimes. It's really nothing."

"Do you think that's what I care about." He put the gun down on the table while he took off his coat and carefully placed it on the back of a chair. Sarah's eyes were on the gun and I willed her not to do anything too rash. This man was a big bastard and obviously used to situations such as these, I knew that from the way he had jumped me and tied me to this fucking chair. He was no novice that was for sure. And I wasn't going to underestimate how dangerous he was. It seems that Sarah, too, had an inkling of what he might be capable of, because she stayed where she was.

"He's a fucking cop," he said, taking hold of the gun again.

"No he isn't," Sarah said.

He looked down at me and jabbing me in the ribs with the gun, he said, "Tell her."

"He's right. I'm a detective on the murder squad," I said looking up at Sarah, trying with all my might to convey an apology in my expression.

"You've been fucking a cop you stupid bitch," he said and I tensed.

Sarah had hardly heard him, she was staring at me so intently.

"I told you but you wouldn't believe me," he continued. "You just wanted a bit of this pretty boy didn't you? You couldn't resist." He pulled out a chair and sat down. "And look where it's got us. Sit down will you," he said waving the gun at the one remaining kitchen chair.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she said quietly and I looked up at her. Her eyes were now swimming with tears and it made my chest hurt that I couldn't reply. I just shook my head and stared down at my bare feet.

"Sit down," the asshole said again, and Sarah obeyed him. She looked so sad and vulnerable as she tugged down her big T-shirt to cover her knees.

"Why are you doing this Paul?" she asked.

"Why am I doing this?" he repeated. "Do you know what, my darling, I don't see why I should tell you. Not right now anyway. Right now I'm trying to make up my mind what I'm going to do with this bit of filth here," and he nodded towards me. "And I suggest you behave yourself. If you go anywhere near a fucking phone, I won't hesitate to shoot your boyfriend here." He leaned towards me and said, "It'll be a fucking pleasure." Then pressing his fingers against my temple he said, "Bang!" and laughed.