The Codex File (2012) Read Online Free Page A

you want I can get you money,” Langley gasped, his voice rising in panic, the rope constricting his windpipe further.
    “Shut the fuck up fat man,” Trevellion said calmly.
    His clenched fist smashed into the man’s right kidney. Through a stifled cry Langley crumpled as his legs gave way beneath him. For a brief moment he was suspended like a limp puppet as he hung from the rope cutting into his throat.
    As Kennedy’s grip loosened the man slumped to the floor. Lying motionless his reddened face gradually began to turn blue.
    “Great, where’s his fucking inhaler?” Trevellion snapped, his neatly polished shoe thudding viciously into the man’s back.
    Bending down, but still with a grip on the rope, Kennedy quickly rummaged through Langley’s suit pockets. His searching stopped as his fingers wrapped around the inhaler.
    Winding the rope tighter for more leverage Kennedy quickly yanked Langley into a sitting position before loosening his grip. The man’s face had turned to a darker blue as he fought for every precious breath. Shoving the inhaler roughly between his quivering lips Trevellion pumped five rapid squirts into Langley’s mouth.
    You’re not allowed to die yet fat man.
    The man spluttered for a few seconds before his colour gradually returned.
    “On your feet,” Trevellion snapped as Kennedy roughly hauled Langley into a standing position.
    “Look, what do you want?” he panted, sweat oozing from every pore.
    “I’ll ask the questions,” Trevellion replied caustically.
    The man was bundled into his study and pushed roughly into the swivel chair. Temporarily he sank into unconsciousness as Trevellion ripped a vicious blow across the side of his face with the outside of his fist.
    Kennedy rapidly wound the strong, silver duct tape around Langley’s ankles, fastening his chubby arms and wrists to the thick wooden armrests. Kneeling beside the right armrest he spread the man’s fleshy fingers, taping each digit tightly to the chair.
    Trevellion stood close by, looking down at the fat, balding middle-aged man before him. His face was bright red, sweat congregating in his furrowed brow. His stomach, which hung over his neatly pressed trousers, rose and fell rapidly.
    “Look who are you? What do you want from me?” he managed to blurt out.
    Trevellion didn’t reply. Instead, he walked nonchalantly to the bookcase, picking up the meat cleaver.
    “I want access to ACE Solution’s records relating to the state network tender and what’s currently in your company’s R&D pipeline.”
    Trevellion approached the chair, passing the meat cleaver to Kennedy.
    “You must be bloody joking. I can’t give you that,” Langley replied incredulously. “I don’t even have access to all that data.”
    As he finished his sentence Trevellion roughly brought his hand over the man’s mouth as Kennedy brought the meat cleaver down. Langley struggled in his chair as his little finger shot two feet in the air, blood gushing from the gaping wound.
    Trevellion pulled his hand away as the man began to whimper.
    Langley began to feel the nausea well up inside him. The smell of his sweat and the metallic odour of his own blood filled his nostrils. His shirt was drenched in perspiration as he writhed in vain against his restraints.
    “Oh Jesus, oh fuck. I’m going to bleed to death. Oh God, no.”
    Winding the thin rope back round Langley’s throat, Kennedy pulled tightly.
    “Don’t fuck with me fat man. It’s only going to get worse if you don’t work with me,” Trevellion snarled.
    He paused, looking down at his polished shoes. The fat man’s wound had dripped blood onto the Italian leather. Disdainfully, he wiped his spattered shoes on Langley’s trousers.
    “Listen very carefully. I know you’re the project manager for the state network tender at ACE Solutions. That means you have access to the project information and the R&D pipeline. Tell me where it’s stored and this will soon be over.”
    “I can