Location Unknown

By Thomas Anderson

When Alison Jennings goes to work one morning, neither her nor husband Jeff thought she wouldn't return.
By the end of the day, Jeff has to gather a small team of friends and family to help him solve the clues to a sick and stupid game.
Unable to tell anyone else, Jeff and his team send him all over the outskirts of London, hoping each time to be the first to reach the destinations necessary. The prize at the end, His wife's life. With no control over what happens next, Jeff has to do as instructed and just hope he becomes the eventual winner.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Anderson
• Release date: Aug 4, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301663620

Thomas Anderson

Thomas Anderson is a specialist on German armoured fighting vehicles of World War II. He regularly contributes to popular modelling and historical magazines, including Military Modelcraft International (UK), Steel Art (Italy), Historia Militar (Spain) and Batailles & Blindes (France). He lives in Germany.

Book preview

Chapter 1

The alarm started buzzing and a hand reached out to turn it off. With one eye half-open, Alison Jennings stared at the time, hoping by some miracle it had gone off way too early.

Seeing 6:00 am flashing on and off like a mini neon sign, Alison sighed and swung her legs over the bed, tempted to hit the snooze button, but frightened she may keep repeating the action until she ended up late for work.

With Jeff still out cold, she quietly removed her nightgown and headed for the shower.

Jeff kept his eyes closed, pretending to still be fast asleep until he heard the shower door open and the splash of water. Satisfied that Alison was now in the shower, he dived out of bed and grabbed the card out of the small cupboard on his side.

Quietly he wandered into both kids bedrooms and woke them, a finger to his lips as they came round, indicating they shouldn’t make a noise.

Understanding, both Steve and Gemma silently got up and followed Jeff downstairs.

As was Alison’s normal routine, with her shower finished and wrapped in a towel, she dried her long dark hair and applied most of her make-up before heading back to the bedroom to get dressed. Still a pretty woman, smooth skinned and with the faintest of laughter lines starting to appear, Alison hadn’t let herself go even after 20 years of marriage. While not a fitness freak, Alison went to the gym once a week just to enjoy an hour’s physical effort and a change from sitting in an office all day.

It was no surprise that the bed was empty when she got to the bedroom, Alison’s biggest question to herself being, had he just got up and forgotten, or had he got up and remembered. We’ll see she thought, unsure which one outcome she would have preferred.

Finally dressed, she headed downstairs. Walking into the kitchen, she was surprised to find it empty, no coffee on the table, no toast or cereals laid out.

Turning round, she called out Jeff’s name as she headed to the living room.

As she opened the door, three voices in unison sang Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you…

Waiting for the slightly off-key rendition to finish, but with a smile on her face, Alison decided that she was indeed pleased Jeff and the kids had remembered.

On the coffee table, were two full and steaming coffee cups alongside two glasses of orange juice.

Alison guessed a fancy cutter had been used and a plateful of toast had been cut up and set out to spell Happy Birthday Mum xxxx. This in turn covered in honey.

Thank you, thank you so much, all of you, I love it Alison said simply, going around each of them in turn and meaning every word.

Sit down said Jeff There’s a bit more before we finish

Happily, Alison sat on the sofa and waited expectantly.

Placing the tray, minus one coffee cup and both glasses on Alison’s lap, while she had been hugging Jeff, the kids had placed two letters at the side of the food.

With toast in her mouth, Alison opened the first envelope, taking out a birthday card with the words Happy birthday Mum on the front, Alison was pleased that there was no number 40 to go with it. Opening the card and two tickets for Les Miserables fell out. Alison was over the moon, kissing both children before opening the second. This once, they were quite happy to bend towards her rather than see her have to get up.

I don’t’ want to rush you love but we all know you can’t waste time today. Open the second one so you can finish your toast before you leave Jeff advised.

Understanding his haste on her behalf, she quickly opened the second.

Inside the To my loving wife card was a note saying Booked a table at La Rouge for after the show. There’s more but it has to wait until we’re at the restaurant.

Not knowing what the more would be but happy to wait, Alison kissed Jeff and whispered in his ear and there’ll be dessert when we get home.

Jeff smiled at these words Ok eat your toast, we know today’s important so hurry up.

Knowing it was well meant, Alison quickly ate as much as she could. Looking at the time, she passed the tray to Gemma and ran upstairs to clean her teeth and apply the last parts of her make-up. Jeff and the kids said nothing, knowing that Alison had already switched to work mode and would rush downstairs with a quick See you tonight before grabbing her things and heading for the door. Sure enough, ten minutes later, a blur shot through the house and Alison was gone.

Well Dad, happy 40th to Mum Gemma said. Jeff laughed. I know but we’ll celebrate tonight, including if your mum gets the General Managers position.

How do you think she’ll do? Steve asked. From what she’s said, it’s in the bag, but let’s just wait ok Jeff replied.  Ok kids, school, I have to get off too. Jeff continued.

Very quickly the kids grabbed their things and left, Jeff following quickly behind, jumping into his car and heading the opposite way.

Chapter 2

With the day uncharacteristically bright and warm, as she drove, Alison kept running potential questions through her head, followed by the answers she would give if those questions were asked. With only Mark Robbins going up against her, she had cryptically already been told that he lacked her experience and focus. It was therefore only a show interview to satisfy procedure and the job in effect was hers to lose.  Although she had rushed from the house, she was actually about 10 minutes ahead of time compared to where she would normally have been about this point. All set to pat herself on the back, a frown developed on her face as she saw a van up ahead taking up most of the single lane road she was presently on. Pulling up behind it, she only waited 20 seconds before impatience got the better of her and she got out of her car to see who and where the van driver was. So much for living in the countryside she thought.

Jeff arrived at the construction site five minutes late but nobody really cared. Unlike Alison, his work as an engineer gave him far more leeway on what time he arrived or left work. The tunnel had already reached a mile through the earth and was making good progress.  At this rate the next and last mile before it meets the other team in the middle could be as early as the end of next month he thought.

Three years older than Alison, he too had kept himself fit and well. Giving up smoking nearly 10 years ago, Jeff had bought a pushbike and had kept up the practice of cycling about 20 miles a week, normally on the weekends. His short blonde hair contrasting Alison’s long dark locks, they had been blessed with two children who were mirror images of themselves when they were younger, Steve taking after Jeff while Gemma could have been and was often mistaken for, Alison’s much younger sister.

Getting to the portable office that was his present workplace for the duration, he was dismayed to realise he had left his mobile phone at home, this item presently sitting on the sofa back at the house.

Damn it he muttered, more to himself than to anyone in the office.

What’s up Jeff? a man about Jeff’s age sitting across from Jeff’s desk asked.

Left my bloody phone in the house and Alison has that interview today Jeff replied.

Well I wouldn’t worry too much, we have a problem with water leaking into the tunnel. I can’t see us being out of there for the next few hours until we work out what needs to be done. You know you won’t get good reception on any phone while we’re in there the man, Jake Talbot" replied.

Shit Jeff exclaimed, his mind taken away from his phone for the moment, how bad is it?

Getting up and slapping Jeff lightly on the back, Jake replied Nowhere near life threatening or anywhere near dangerous at the moment. But we did know we might encounter this and I’m pretty certain it will just be a case of some extra strengthening. That’s what you’re paid the big bucks to decide on pretty boy, come on Smiling, Jake grabbed both hard hats and luminous vests. Together they headed off to grab an electric buggy and head into the tunnel.

Bye bye Sunshine. Good luck Alison Jeff smiled as he headed into the tunnel, knowing it would be awhile before he would be heading back out.

Chapter 3

It was nearly 3:00 pm before Jeff and Jake re-emerged from the tunnel.  Even with cooling fans and air being driven into the tunnel, both men were glad to get back to daylight, cooler temperatures and close to fresh air. With the decision made to strengthen the tunnel and include extra drainage to remove the excess water while the work was done, Jeff felt he had earned his wage today.

Returning to the makeshift office, he made himself coffee before sitting down at his desk.

Expecting and getting a number of new post-its stuck to his screen, Jeff started to read through them, expecting more than one or two from an irate Alison asking why he wasn’t answering his phone on today of all days.

He was surprised to find none from her but four calls from Alison’s secretary asking him to ring her ASAP.

Finding it strange, Jeff took a few sips of his coffee while starting to boot up his computer, before dialling Alison’s office and asking to be put through to Mel, her secretary.

As a voice said hello at the other end Jeff spoke. Hi Mel, how are things? Where’s Alison? Do you know how it went today?

Instead of speaking back in just as much of a rush as she normally tended to do, Mel waited a few seconds before quietly saying Um, I was going to ask you the same thing, that is, where’s Alison? She never arrived this morning and isn’t answering her phone. There are quite a few irate people here wondering where the hell she is

Jeff’s voice started to go up a notch and his heart started to race as he took in what Mel had just said. What.. what do you mean didn’t turn up? She left this morning, a few minutes earlier than normal as it happens. She was all ready and primed for this interview.

Mel was again quiet for a few seconds before she replied I didn’t think she wouldn’t turn up Jeff and that’s what has got me so worried. We’ve tried everything to contact her without any luck. Faltering, Mel then said aloud her worst fear. Um Jeff, do you think she might have been so focussed she wasn’t concentrating and…. Mel’s voice tailed off.

What? had an accident driving in this morning you mean? Is that what you’re saying? I would know, somebody would have come to let me know, hell, it couldn’t…. It was now Jeff who couldn’t finish the sentence.

I don’t want to worry you over nothing Jeff and I’m sure it’s not the case but what if they can’t find identification yet or.. or I don’t know what if Alison forgot her bag and license, it wouldn’t be the first time. Mel wasn’t convincing anyone including herself. Her voice betrayed that she thought something serious had happened.

Feeling the panic starting to rise within him, Jeff fought to keep it in check and think sensibly.

Mel, stop Jeff ordered. I know you’re trying to keep me calm but it’s not working. Look, it could be something as simple as she became ill on the way in this morning and returned home. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. You keep trying her mobile, the home phone, god even email and I’ll go home now. She may me fast asleep in bed trying to sleep away whatever has made her ill" Jeff sounded as convincing to Mel as she had to him but reasoned it was better to keep focussed on something this simple and stay calm.

All right Jeff but don’t waste time talking to me now. Go home, find her there and put my mind at rest ok

Ok Mel, bye Jeff replaced the receiver. I have to go he told Jake and anyone else who was listening.

Everything OK? Jake asked. I’ll see you tomorrow" Jeff replied not giving any more of an answer as he grabbed his keys and headed out the door towards his car.

Although cool and still light, Jeff took no notice of the weather or anything else. Kicking himself for forgetting his phone that morning and trying not to worry, Jeff jumped into the car and drove off. Exceeding the speed limit only when he thought he could but otherwise managing to drive fairly sensibly, it took nearly an hour to get back. For him it was one of the longest hours of his life made worse due to waiting to hear his mobile phone ring and hearing Alison’s voice, while knowing it was presently sitting on his couch unattended.

Turning into his street, Jeff reached his house and drove straight onto the driveway. Jumping out of the car and making no attempt to lock it, he raced to his front door, his key already in his hand.

Sitting on the porch was a package addressed to him. He picked it up and looked at it but almost immediately dismissed it, more intent on seeing if Alison was indeed home. Opening the door, he started calling her name hoping for a response that would set his mind at rest. There was no reply as he first checked the kitchen and living room.

Throwing the package onto the sofa, he saw his mobile phone. Grabbing it, he tried to simultaneously check for any texts or calls from Alison while he headed upstairs. Starting with their bedroom and eventually going through every room upstairs, there was no sign of her or any immediate sign that she had returned home at all.

There were no text messages, no calls from Alison, though again a few from Mel asking if Jeff knew where she was.

Panicking but having no idea what to do next, Jeff headed back downstairs. Going out into the back garden, in desperation that Alison just might be out there, Jeff stopped and breathed deeply.

There was no sign of her and Jeff realised that obvious though it was, he couldn’t accept she wasn’t home.

Taking a deep breath, he chastised himself. OK calm down and start to think he told himself. What would Alison do in a time of panic? The first thing he realised is that Alison wouldn’t panic, at least until it was obvious that the only thing left was to do so.