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“Is everybody on the same wavelength regarding the fact that we want this guy dead but we don’t want to be caught for doing it?” Rachel asked as they sat in Ryan’s van outside the prison the day after their bowling trip.
“That’s how I’d like it to turn out”– Lee replied and the other three were also all in agreement.
“So we need to think of a clever way to kill someone and not get caught”– Rachel thought out loud.
“I was thinking all those Columbos I’ve watched over the years would come in useful. Actually they’d be more useful if I wanted to commit a murder and get caught”– Ryan said.
“True”– Lori said with a half smile and a slight shake of her head.
“I suppose we should really spend some of this waiting time planning how we might go about killing someone”– Shannon said.
“Wow! Am I really talking about killing someone?”
“So bizarre isn’t it?” Rachel said.
“Certainly! I guess you never really know what you are capable of”– Shannon replied whilst looking down at the burnt scars on her right hand.
Just when they were starting to think another day would go by without Bret making an appearance a very expensive looking car was driven into the prison car park.
“Can’t be many people that visit prison in that sort of car”– Rachel said and they all waited anxiously to see who gets out.
“That’s him!” Shannon said with a whole host of mixed emotions, excitement, fear, anger and guilt all included.
“Yeah that’s the guy who chased me”– Lori added with sadness.
“So what do we do now?” Lee asked. “Just wait for him to come out and follow him until he gets somewhere that looks like his home?”
“Sounds like as good a plan as any”– Ryan replied.
Bret was only in the prison for fifteen minutes or so. As soon as he came back out Ryan started up the engine of his van.
“Be careful, don’t get too close or he might get suspicious”– Lee warned.
“Yeah! But don’t forget to stay close enough. Make sure you don’t miss him by making wrong turns or getting behind at traffic lights”– Rachel added.
“No pressure then?” Ryan checked with a little smile.
Headed out of New York City traveling north, after just under an hour of driving they went on a road that was long, winding and very quiet.
“Good job so far, Ryan. Are you pretty sure you’ve not aroused any suspicion”– Lori said.
“I know this road and it’s perfect for following someone. There are no turn offs for miles. So you can stay well back and know you’re not going to lose him.”
“Okay Lori. I’ll bow to your exclusive local knowledge.”
After another two hours of driving Bret turned off onto a road that was little more than a dirt track.
“This is getting seriously remote”– Lee said.
“I’m very glad I thought to fill up the tank this morning”– Ryan said.
“I think I recognize this area now, aren’t we somewhere near Snowy Mountain?” Shannon wondered.
“Yeah I think we are”– Lori replied. “In fact I think that might be it over there”– she pointed.
After fifteen minutes or so on the little road Bret turned off onto his drive.
“Now that’s what I call a house”– Rachel said as Ryan continued driving past the entrance to Bret’s drive.
“Miles from anywhere as well”– Lori said.
Ryan drove along the road for another two or three miles so they could familiarize themselves with the local area. They found a motel, which would be very useful for them to stay at if they wanted to be close to Jensen. All of them decided that for now it would be best for them to drive back to New York and start thinking about how they could kill him.
Ryan drove them all back to his house and they ordered pizza and started to discuss ideas.
“Today I’ve been thinking about it throughout the whole journey home. The end result we want is him dead and us alive and not in prison”– Ryan said.
“That would be useful”– Shannon agreed.
“After all my deliberation”– Ryan continued. “I’ve decided that I’m struggling to come up with a plan.”
“No! Shit”– Lori replied.
“However I do believe I know a couple of people who could help us out.”
“Really?” Rachel got excited. “Who?”
“Well they are a husband and wife, con artist team.”
“You know some con artists?” Shannon asked.
“Yeah, I know it sounds a bit odd but I always thought they might come in useful.”
“A bit odd?” Lori said. “You want us to work with some con-artists?”
“Oh that’s funny, we’re planning to kill someone and you’re worried about the morality of operating with some con-artists”– Ryan pointed out.
“I suppose when you put it like that, I am sounding a little silly”– Lori conceded.
“Besides they are definitely what I call Robin Hood con-artists. They only con people who can afford it.”
“Well we all have to make a living somehow”– Lee said.
“How exactly are con-artists going to help us kill somebody?” Rachel asked.
“I just think they’ll be able to come up with some sort of plan for us to get close to this guy. They’re used to thinking in ways we are not.”
“It can’t hurt to try”– Lee said.
“You sure they’ll want to be involved in something like this?” Shannon asked.
“Yeah, they’re good friends. Once we explain the situation they’ll be happy to help me and therefore us out.”
“How did you meet them?” Shannon asked.
“Well they’re English too. I met them in one of these English bars in town that show the football, sorry, soccer, games from England. They’re ‘Liverpool’ fans and I’m a ‘Manchester United’ fan so we didn’t get off to the best of starts. But after seeing each other a few times we became good friends and we go out from time to time now, or go round to each others houses.”
“When did they mention they were con artists?” Shannon continued her line of questioning.
“Very early on, to be fair. They were very up front about it.”
“Well if you think you can trust them then that’s good enough for me”– Shannon said.
As soon as he knew his idea was backed unanimously, Ryan called his two friends from Liverpool. He didn’t go into any detail over the phone, merely stating that he needed there help with something very important and could do with it as quick as possible. Living nearby and having no particular plans, anyway, meant they were happy to come round to Ryan’s house that night.
Ryan jumped up out of his chair to answer the knock on his front door.
“Hey up Ryan lad”– was the enthusiastic response to Ryan opening the door.
“All right Den! Come in son.” The two of them shook hands meaningfully.
“Hey Caroline, how are you doing?” Ryan greeted Den’s wife and gave her a hug.
“It sounds like we are doing better than you are from what you said on the phone”– Caroline replied. “Or from what you didn’t say.”
“Come to the front room. There are some people you need to meet. Then I’ll explain everything.”
Ryan introduced Den and Caroline to his new friends. Then he began explaining the situation he found himself in. At some point or another during his explanation the other four, on at least one occasion, each chipped in with things that Ryan had forgot to mention.
“Wow.” Caroline said and sat back in the chair she’d been on the edge throughout Ryan’s explanation.
“That’s some deep stuff Ryan lad”– Den said.
“Certainly is”– Ryan replied. “Look none of us would blame you if you wanted nothing to do with any of this.
I just thought that with what you guys are used to doing, your expertise might be able to help us out.”
“Of course we’ll help”– Caroline replied.
“Yeah, I mean we’re not saying we’re going to kill this guy for you. But I’m sure we can help you out.”
“Are you sure?” Ryan checked.
“Definitely”– Caroline said. “We owe you at least one favor.”
“Thank you guys. I’m sure you’ll be a big help”– Ryan replied.
“Yeah big thanks”– Rachel said. “What are you actually going to do?”
“Well I’m thinking some sort of surveillance job, to start with at least”– Den said.
“What do you mean by surveillance?” Rachel inquired.
“We’ll get phone bugs in his house, maybe some cameras. Just things to help you get to know this guy as well as you can. From that maybe some way to kill him will become clear.”
“Okay that sounds cool”– Rachel said.
“How are you going to get that stuff in there?” Shannon asked.
“Well I’m thinking we pose as a security firm and pretend we are fitting his house with a security system”– Den said.
“Are you sure he’ll fall for that?” Lori asked.
“Remember you’re dealing with a psycho killer”– Lee added.
“People we’ll believe pretty much anything if you sell it right”– Caroline told them. “With his house being so out in the open I’m thinking he’ll be perfect for a woman in distress routine.”
“I’m afraid to ask”– Ryan said.
“Nothing too over the top”– Caroline replied with a smile. “Probably just my car breaking down near his house.”
“She pops in to use the phone”– Den continued. “Calls me and whilst I’m on the way round she gets talking to this guy and mentions that we’re a security firm and that a house like that really should be fitted with a full on security system.”
“That works?” Ryan asked with a smile of his own.
“Are you kidding?” Den asked. “Who wouldn’t trust a face like that?” He indicated towards Caroline.
“Trust me Caroline, it wont just be your face that he’s ‘trusting’”– Rachel said.
“Yeah Caroline, seriously, be careful with this guy”– Shannon added.
“Thanks, but trust me I’ll be fine.”
“So when do you think you’ll be able to start this surveillance job?” Ryan asked.
“Well there’s a few things we’d need to get hold of first”– Den said. “So we couldn’t start any earlier than noon tomorrow.”
“Noon tomorrow? That’s plenty soon enough”– Ryan had a little laugh.
“I should have known that searchers could get hold of anything they want in virtually no time!” He added.
“We all have our strengths!” Caroline acknowledged.
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