Moment of Truth Read online

  MOMENT OF TRUTH

  CHAPTER 1

  Desmond yawned widely, rubbing at his eyes in a tired fashion as he looked out of the window. The bright sunshine danced off the beige rocks that littered Antony’s and his back garden as Desmond looked out at the gorgeous morning Spanish landscape, the sun peaking over the distant mountains. It really was something else. Desmond couldn’t wait to take Antony to their house in a few months' time. He wanted to show the man the paradise he had grown up with. But for now they had to wait: the house was a surprise for Antony and Desmond’s friends hadn’t managed to get it finished yet.

  Desmond reached out for the man but there was no one beside him. He sighed, all hopes of a morning ‘quickie’ doing just that out the window. He bunched his hand into the sheets beside him but there was no warmth. Antony must have got up ages ago. He was probably out running. Desmond smiled softly, letting the image of his boyfriend’s body fill his mind. The way each muscle worked as he jogged in front of him or even the slight sway of his ass whenever they went for a bike ride. Desmond was sure Antony did it on purpose. He bit his lip as he took hold of himself in his loose underwear. With no Antony here, his memory would have to suffice as he got himself off to a messy climax.

  Hopping in the shower he hoped to find the man downstairs making breakfast or something. Then he could tease him about what he had missed and playfully slap his ass, maybe getting some bonus kitchen sex as an apology. That would be nice. He smiled, the mental images already making him hard again, as he pulled a shirt over his head, grabbing his phone and dropping it in his pocket. The taunts were already on his lips as he took the stairs two at a time.

  But as he moved into the kitchen the smile disappeared.

  It was chaos; the whole place looked like it had been destroyed. Chairs were broken; things litter the floor having being knocked off the side. Glass littered the floor and Desmond left the room to grab some shoes, all the while trying to keep his breathing in check. That’s when he saw the front door, slightly ajar, the lock busted cleanly. Desmond was already shaking his head as he threw it open, dashing into the front garden. There was no sign of anything. The gate was closed, his truck sat ominously on the drive. But Desmond’s breath caught in his throat. He was nearly sick. There, lying innocently on a nearby rock, drying in the hot Spanish sun: blood. And not a little bit of blood. Evidently a struggle had occurred.

  Desmond thought instantly of Antony.

  “Antony?” Desmond called, rushing back into the house. His feet cracked as he moved over the broken crockery and glass littering the kitchen floor. Desmond didn’t care. “Antony!” he demanded. Antony was just in the gym, yeah? It was fine. Desmond darted across the back garden and into the second building on the property. Empty. The pool was incriminatingly still. “Antony!” Desmond collapsed in the doorway, being illuminated by the heat of the morning. He couldn’t breathe. He didn’t have a clue what was happening. He just needed to know Antony was safe and Antony was fine. How on earth had he not realized this sooner? He had had a jerk off and a shower! He should have been searching! How could he be so careless? “Antony!” Desmond sobbed, falling forwards and gasping for breath. He dry retched four times, clutching at his side as he tried to think straight.

  His work mind suddenly kicked into gear.

  He moved back towards the blood-covered rock. No, that wasn’t enough to have killed someone, not nearly enough. But whoever was bleeding was bleeding badly. That would have left a trail. Desmond scanned the area with his eyes, gritting his teeth in annoyance at himself as he noticed the blood that would lead him where he needed to go. He was pissed that he had initially overlooked such a detail, but right now wasn’t the time. Moving forwards, he tracked the blood moving down the hill, deep into the greenery. Perfect, Desmond thought. If there was a struggle through here then there will definitely be a trail. Desmond wasn’t wrong. He followed the clearly carved path through the trees ending up by the fence that marked the edge of Antony and his land. The fence was ruined. Whomever it was had kicked into it until it gave, obviously realizing they weren’t getting back out the way they got in. Desmond stepped out onto the road, watching as a truck whipped passed. This was where his trail ended.

  He swore, loudly. Whoever had done this had done it before. It was clean, almost to perfection, apart from the blood and the path of destruction in their wake. Or maybe that was deliberate. Did the abductors want Desmond to know they had been there? Desmond wasn’t sure. He was sure, however, that they had taken Antony. Reaching into his pocket, he began ringing his boyfriend as if to be proven wrong.

  He was not.

  “Agent Sharp. I’ve been waiting for this call.” A smirking voice said down the line. Desmond gritted his teeth.

  “Where the fuck is he?”

  “Oh no, hostility will not do.” The voice returned. Desmond felt his anger increase. “You are probably curious as to why we’ve done this-”

  “You lay one hand on him and I will kill you all.” Desmond spat. He was met with a chuckle.

  “When you have no idea where we are? No, no, Sharp. I don’t think so.”

  “Fuck sake!”

  “Should really control that anger, Sharp. It’s not so good.”

  “I’m warning you-”

  “I’m sure the agency does not like this emotional attachment. Makes you weak? Vulnerable…”

  “Not really.” Desmond stated coolly. “We’re just friends.”

  “I’m sure this is true.” The speaker said in a tone that showed he was disbelieving. “Would not care if we kill him then?” It was a bluff, a test, and Desmond knew it. Hadn’t he played the same game too many times? Right now Desmond knew how he should play it, but he couldn’t. “Sharp? Hmm, obviously doesn’t care enough…”

  “Don’t.” Desmond bit harshly, tears stinging in his eyes.

  “Friends, of course.”

  “Put him on the phone.” Desmond breathed hotly.

  “No, do not think-”

  “Put him on this phone!” Desmond snarled. There was a moment of silence.

  “Desmond? Hello, are you there?” Antony’s voice was panicked; he was scared.

  “Antony…” Desmond exasperated, relieved. “Alright, buddy, stay calm.”

  “Say they are going to!”

  “I told you not to say anything, Antony.” The speaker’s voice returned. Desmond shook his head.

  “Put him back on!”

  “You do not get to set the rules anymore, Sharp. Now is my game.”

  “And what is it you want? Money?”

  “No, no. I want information.”

  “Of course…” Desmond sighed. Wasn’t that always the way?

  “You’re going to hack into MI6 for me, and you’re going to give me everything on how I hack into them, then you’re going to delete everything they have on me, then you’re going to take them down.”

  “One too many instructions there.” Desmond snapped. He got another chuckle for his troubles.

  “I’m not sure you are going to want to make any more jokes, Sharp.” The voice said. Desmond opened his mouth to respond but instead heard a cry of pain: Antony. “So, are you willing to help or do we just kill him now?”

  “I’m not hacking into MI6. No chance.” Desmond bit, tears in his eyes. There was a sigh.

  “Maybe we start you a little smaller then. Kill Bowse.” Desmond laughed.

  “No one knows where he is.”

  “Kill the plant by taking away the root.”

  “I’m not going to be doing that either.”

  “Shame…” Desmond heard a gunshot down the phone. He froze, his blood running cold. “Was nice taking to you, Sharp-”

  “Put Antony on this phone.” Desmond forced hi
mself to say. He was falling apart but his voice was as cold as stone.

  “May be a little difficult…”

  “Put Antony on this phone!” Desmond screamed down the phone. A deadly silence followed his demand.

  “Desmond?”

  “What did they do to you?” Desmond asked desperately, pressing the phone desperately to his ear. Antony breathed shakily in his ear.

  “Shot… Shot the chair…”

  “Are you hurt?”

  “No… Desmond, please-”

  “Do we have your co-operation then, Sharp.” The voice asked. Desmond closed his eyes.

  “Don’t… Don’t hurt him…”

  “We won’t have to if you work with us.” The voice nodded reassuringly. “You have my word.”

  Desmond swallowed. There had to be a way around this. But right now he needed Antony safe.

  “Alright…”

  “You’ll kill Bowse?”

  “I’ll kill Bowse…”

  CHAPTER 2

  “Can I get anyone any tea?” Jody asked, trying to break the silence that filtered around the room. Henson continued to tap noisily on his keyboard as Desmond glared at the far wall. Stuart sat uncomfortably between Desmond and Henson, opposite Kendrick who was chewing nervously on his lip.

  “I think its best we start, Agent Barnett.” Henson nodded, eyes still glued on the laptop in front of him.

  “Finally.” Desmond muttered as Jody took the seat next to him. Henson spun the laptop around.

  “Right, so we’ve all come out here to Spain because Agent Sharp has reported an abduction from his house.” Henson declared, looking at each of the agents. “At 08:52 it was discovered that Antony Abascal had been taken from his home. How, we are not yet sure and by who, we do not yet know.”

  “We do.” Desmond said darkly, folding his arms tightly. Henson raised an eyebrow at him.

  “We do?”

  “You’ve heard the phone conversation, don’t pretend you haven’t.” Desmond spat. Henson sat, calmly.

  “And we can safely assume that you agreement to kill me was a lie to gain their trust?” Desmond flicked his eyes down from Henson to the laptop in front of his boss. The same unknown location of a dark room surrounded Bowse as he looked out at the four agents surrounding him.

  “Of course, Sir. I can happily swear on Antony’s life. It’s so they think they’ve got me right where they want me.”

  “Good.” Bowse nodded, sitting back.

  “I think the most important thing is that we work out how the hell this happened.” Henson said, getting to his feet. Desmond watched him closely.

  “The test results came back from Agent Sharp’s blood test.” Kendrick said quietly, pulling out the file and sliding it across the table to Henson. Henson nodded, collecting it up and scanning his eyes over it. “It appears he was drugged so he wouldn’t be able to intervene with Antony’s abduction. Injected into the side of his neck as he slept.”

  “That would explain the bruise.” Desmond muttered, rubbing the tender area just below his right ear.

  “This is why you should have allowed us to place CCTV cameras around the house, Desmond. Then we would know who had taken him, where to start.” Jody said. Desmond glared at him.

  “Sure, and then you could watch Antony and me-”

  “That’s enough, gentlemen.” Bowse declared from the screen. Jody closed his mouth, ready to argue with Desmond. “We are all very aware of the sensitivity of this subject. Let’s not breach it.”

  “And we do know who has taken him.” Desmond shot hotly. Jody folded his arms.

  “Then what the fuck do you need us for?”

  “Agent Barnett-”

  “You’re supposed to make sure this doesn’t happen!” Desmond yelled over Henson, getting to his feet.

  “Sit down, Jod-”

  “Me? How can I do that when you won’t let me survey the house!” Jody matched Desmond’s sharp tones, also standing.

  “You’re the one who gave away my identity in the first place!”

  “That’s enough.” Henson smacked the table, making both agents flinch. “I told you Agent Barnett was too sensitive for this case, Sir.” Henson said to Bowse. Jody opened his mouth to argue again.

  “This is the strongest team we’ve got. If anyone is compromised it’s Agent Sharp, he’s too close to this.”

  “If you think for one second I’m not-” Desmond started aggressively.

  “You really think anyone would take you off this case?” Stuart scoffed. Desmond turned his glare to the German. “Seriously? You’re the asset. You’re the one on the inside. No matter how close you are to the case we need you on it.”

  “Agent Carnegie is right.” Henson nodded. Kendrick glanced round the table cautiously.

  “What’s Antony’s blood type, Desmond?” Nathan Everman asked, walking into the meeting, fingers tapping on the tablet in his hands. Desmond frowned at him.

  “What?”

  “Antony’s blood type? We’re analyzing the blood from the rock.”

  “I’m not sure…” Desmond admitted quietly. The other men in the room frowned at him.

  “You don’t know?”

  “Well it’s not really one of the questions you ask, is it? Hi, I’m Desmond – A positive, how about you?” Desmond shot sarcastically. Nathan rolled his eyes.

  “How are you doing with the analysis?” Bowse asked.

  “Well, we’ve concluded thus far that Antony didn’t go easily-”

  “I could have told you that.” Desmond spat. Nathan ignored him.

  “But there are a couple of things that don’t add up.” He finished. Now it was Desmond’s turn to be confused.

  “Like what?” Henson prompted.

  “Well, firstly it’s a clean break to get in but the door is damaged from the outside.”

  “So? Antony could have tried to get back in?” Desmond suggested.

  “But not fought to keep the door closed in the first place?” Nathan suggested. Desmond narrowed his eyes at the German. “And the kitchen, to start, doesn’t make sense.”

  “I don’t understand.” Desmond bit through gritted teeth. Nathan rolled his eyes.

  “Why not struggle all the way down the stairs but suddenly kick up a stink in the kitchen? The kitchen is out of the way to the door, you have to literally cross the house to get to the kitchen.”

  “Maybe they found him in the kitchen?” Desmond shrugged, not sure what Nathan was implying.

  “You told us he was in bed with you.” Stuart pointed out.

  “And what would have been the point in drugging you if he wasn’t?” Jody inputted. Desmond averted his glower back to Nathan.

  “So what’s your point, mate?” Desmond snapped. Nathan remained calm.

  “Something doesn’t add up.”

  “Are you saying Antony just went with them?” Desmond got to his feet.

  “Not at all.”

  “Desmond.” Henson warned. Desmond fell heavily back into his chair. “Let them do their job.”

  “If you can remember Antony’s blood type, let us know.” Nathan nodded before leaving the room again.

  “Right, so plan of-” Henson’s summary was cut off by Desmond’s ringtone sounding heavily through the room, vibrating intensely on the table. Desmond reached for it but Henson’s hand got their first.

  “Headphones please, gentlemen. Everyone remain silent.” Bowse ordered and Henson plugged the transmitter into the device. He slid the phone back over the table towards Desmond, waiting. As per their training, every other agent fell silent, slipping their earpieces into their ears. Desmond took a deep breath, looking down at the phone before he collected it into his hand.

  “Hello?” Desmond asked, trying to keep his voice level.

  “Desmond?”

  “Antony?”

  “Desmond…” Antony’s voice sounded relieved. It unnerved the other man.

  “You’ve not phoned from your number…”


  “No, Sharp, because we know you’re probably already tracing his number.” The voice said from the background. Desmond locked eyes with Henson; that was the abductor.

  “Excellent stuff. How can I help?”

  “Antony here has some questions. I thought it best he heard the answers from you.” Desmond swallowed uncomfortably. This could only be bad.

  “I’m sure you’ve already answered them for him.” Desmond bit. Henson shook his head.

  “No, no we wouldn’t take away that privilege. Five questions, Antony, ask them.”

  “its not-” Antony started in a weak voice.

  “You are to ask those five questions, Antony. We don’t want another mistake, do we?” Jody and Kendrick exchanged a knowing look. Desmond clenched his hand into a fist.

  “What have you done?” Desmond snarled. Henson hung his head but Bowse kept his eyes locked on Desmond, calculating.

  “Ah, no. Antony is asking the questions.” The voice smirked. “Go ahead, Tony. ”

  “Don’t you dare -” Desmond started, but Henson held his hand up to stop him.

  “Don’t what, Sharp?” Henson insistently pressed his finger to his lips, his over hand pressing the earpiece into his ear. Desmond just exasperated. “The five please, Antony.”

  “Do not-” The click of a safety being release from a gun echoed in the evidently spacious room. Stuart’s breath caught as he watched Desmond closely. Desmond’s eyes were closed.

  “Antony?” Desmond started softly. “Hey… Just ask…”

  “What…” Antony’s voice was barely a whisper. “What…”

  “You’ll have to speak louder than that.” The voice sneered. A small whimper escaped Antony’s lips.

  “Desmond…”

  “It’s alright buddy. Just ask me. I’ll answer anything you ask.” Henson was glaring at him but Desmond knew he had to answer Antony’s questions. If he didn’t that gun was going to let out a critical shot.

  “What is… Is Storming?” Antony’s voice was shaking terribly. Desmond closed his eyes so he couldn’t see Henson’s desperation for him to remain silent.

  “Storming is what my department is classed as. We take on the more… Extreme cases…” Henson was glaring at Desmond but Desmond couldn’t see him. Bowse just kept watching, listening.