Honeypot (WAYHAUGHT)

Chapter 16 - Bought

Dolls held Nicole. "We need to get you to a hospital. The ambulance is on its way."

"I have to find Waverly. She trusted me to keep her safe."

"Nicole. The wound on your head needs treating. You're in no state to do anything right now."

"I let her go. Why didn't I stay inside? All my CIA training."

"Nicole. You did nothing wrong. You were ambushed."

Nicole heard the words. She couldn't process them. It was her fault. She knew from experience bad people walked among the good, ready to do anything for money. Absolutely anything. Whoever took Waverly meant to do harm. She couldn't get that out of her head. She let it happen. On her watch. The sick feeling in her stomach made her want to throw up. She couldn't stop shaking. Her new love was in the hands of someone else. Someone bad, given how they took her.

Blue flashing lights announced the arrival of an ambulance. A paramedic jumped out, medical bag in hand. She assessed the wound, concluding it needed stitches. Dolls accompanied Nicole on the journey to hospital. He was on his phone.

"Jeremy, what's the position. Can you see them?"

"Tracking now. I have the car on CCTV. Good job you called when you did, or I would not have been able to locate them. They're heading north. Just a thought. Does the target have a phone on them?"

Dolls looked at Nicole. "Did Waverly have her phone on her?"

"I don't know. She keeps it in her back pocket. I can't remember if she was wearing jeans. I can only see her face."

Dolls resumed his conversation. "Jeremy, I'll get the number from Nicole. It's worth a shot. If you can track her phone, do it. Ring me as soon as you're in."

Dolls ended the call. "Nicole. We'll find her. Trust me. Jeremy is one of the best."

Nicole's life was unravelling once more. She had loved Shae. Given Shae her heart. This was different. What she felt for Waverly, in the short time she knew her, was stronger. Deeper. She recognised that. It was Kismet. They were meant to be together.

Shae had been the prelude. She hadn't realised. Living the experience we seldom do. Only now could Nicole see. Through her journey with Shae, Nicole could recognise what Waverly was to her. It didn't matter how she had entered her life. Good. Bad. She was there. Present. At the core of her being. Never to be removed. Nicole knew she would do everything, everything to make sure she stayed at the centre of her life. Her bright light in a dark world, guiding her home.

If she was still alive. She prayed she was still alive.

The Accident & Emergency department was busy. Nicole was able to walk with Dolls into the department. They were ushered into a private cubicle. A doctor checked the wound. Not too deep. He would stitch it. Nicole needed to stay overnight to assess whether she had concussion. Dolls was on his phone again to Jeremy.

"What do you have?"

"I've got Waverly's phone. Location Primrose Hill, North London. Can't believe these fuckers didn't think to dump her phone. Are they serious, or what!"

"Language Jeremy."

"Sorry, But, seriously. They kidnap someone and don't remove their phone. I mean. Fucking amateurs. Sorry Dolls. I am now rolling my eyes if you want to know. What a teppum."

"A what? Can you please not speak Klingon. This is serious."

"It's not Klingon. Teppum...as in, muppet backwards. Have you not heard that before? Being a completely backward fuckwit. Sorry. Language, I know. Mind you, 'nuq muppet' totally appropriate in this situation."