The Boathouse Read Free Page B

walked over to Archer, and motioned at a stunning portrait on the wall.
    â€œThat’s my wife.”
    Archer looked at the portrait of a woman with blonde hair and green eyes. A classical beauty with prominent cheek bones and full cherry-red lips stretched into a radiant smile.
    â€œHer name is Becky,” Sinclair said, puffing his chest out. The room was so quiet you could hear him sigh quietly.
    All eyes in the room were on Sinclair.
    â€œThey promised to let her go unharmed if we met all their demands,” Sinclair said, his tone became harder. “But they haven’t called back yet and I don’t know what to do next.”
    Sinclair walked away towards the window. Nobody else moved or made a sound.
    â€œDo you think she’s dead, Mr Archer?” Sinclair asked, with his back turned.

CHAPTER FOUR

    Archer watched Sinclair’s head drop and his shoulders sag. He looked back at the large portrait hanging proudly on the living-room wall that somehow managed to capture Becky’s vivaciousness. She was much younger looking than her husband; a cliché trophy wife.
    â€œShe’s probably still alive.”
    â€œShe’s my soul mate,” Sinclair said. “I waited a long time to find the right woman to marry and I want her back.”
    But why did Archer not believe him?
    â€œShe’s your first wife then?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhen did you have the portrait done?”
    â€œAbout two years ago at our house on Sandbanks.”
    The four hard men at the table were turned towards Sinclair, still silently watching his every move like sentinels.
    â€œYou need to promise me something,” Sinclair said.
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    â€œWhether you decide to help me or not, I need your word that you won’t go behind my back and get your police friends involved.”
    Archer nodded. “Okay,” he said, casually.
    â€œI want your word.” A harsher undertone.
    â€œOkay, you have my word, no police.”
    â€œIs that a problem?”
    â€œNo problem.”
    â€œNo friends from the Met or Special Branch, no police contact whatsoever,” Sinclair said. “We’ll handle this situation ourselves. Is that clear?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œIf you break your word and anything happens to Becky because of it, I’ll have you killed. Do you understand?” he said, and looked over at his pack of guard dogs.
    â€œYou have my word.”
    Sinclair’s persistence was untrusting. He was a total control freak.
    â€œAnd you know what I’ll do if you call the police?”
    Archer looked over at the guards. The four men stared back without expression. They were hardened killers whose loyalty had been bought and paid for.
    â€œI already gave you my word,” Archer’s tone sharpened defensively.
    Sinclair screwed his face up as he spoke. “It’s not an idle threat. I could have you taken out any time I like. Always remember that.”
    Archer didn’t blink.
    â€œWhy are you so afraid of the police?”
    â€œI don’t trust them, or the so-called justice system. Not here or anywhere else, so if anything happens to Becky, I’ll organise my own justice. Anyway, you’re probably a better investigator than their burned-out dickheads.”
    â€œI don’t have anything like their level of resources, but it’s your call.”
    Archer glanced over at the phone and then back at Sinclair.
    â€œAnd they asked you for two million in cash?” he asked.
    â€œThat’s right.”
    â€œYou were able to get two million in cash that quick?”
    â€œOf course,” Sinclair scoffed, and gestured casually as if it was nothing.
    â€œHow big is that? I mean, what did you put it in?”
    â€œA Louis Vuitton suitcase full of fifties. It weighed forty-five kilos on the scales.”
    â€œI assume you’re insured for kidnapping?”
    â€œYes, of course, but if I call the