Page 95 of She Saw What He Did

‘I’ve got to go, there’s someone at the door.’

‘I wanted to ask you about …’

Scott realised the phone had gone dead. He looked back to the living room and waited. Maybe Ryan had heard him knocking after all. He waited but no one came to the door. Ryan wasn’t home at all. He’d lied, but why?

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Abby

I’m determined not to give anything away to Sergeant Burden. It’s crucial that she believes everything is fine. I’m terrified that Jared may be right when he said the man could be watching us. He could be watching the house right now. I check the street on the pretence of emptying the bins. The road is quiet. There are no parked cars. He isn’t here. I feel sure of it. The thought calms me. I’m drinking too much coffee and my head is buzzing. I’d made a big effort this morning and washed my dull lanky hair. I don’t want anything to give us away. I’d finally pulled myself out of my grubby pyjamas and put on a summer dress. Ellen Burden is a policewoman and no doubt trained to spot signs of despair. We’d tidied the house and again we look like an ordinary everyday family. I only wish we were. Burden had kept her word and had phoned to let us know she was on her way. We’re now waiting. We always seem to be waiting.

The man hasn’t sent his instructions. My body is achy with the constant tension I have put it through. I know I’m close to breaking point. If he would just let me hear Sam’s voice, just once. Why won’t the bastard allow me that one thing? I curse him at night. I wish him to die in agony. I whimper and curse at the same time. Is he feeding her properly? Does Daphne have enough medication? What if Sam gets a cold? Is it warm enough where she is? I don’t sleep any more. Instead I lie awake and think. I try to think what the man did with Daphne’s car. I try to think of places he could be keeping them. I daydream that I discover where they are and rescue them. I daren’t sleep. The waking is too painful. Sometimes I’ve woken and strolled into Sam’s room to check on her and the realisation hits me all over again. It’s safer not to sleep. Jared is looking weak. He should eat more. I should make him eat more but the effort is too much. I flinch at the sound of the doorbell. She’s here.

*

I turn to Jared.

‘Act normal,’ I order. Although, I can’t remember what it is to be normal any more. I pull my shoulders back and walk to the door. Jared had unlocked it earlier. I didn’t want Burden seeing the locks again.

She stands on the doorstep. Detective Weis is with her. I hadn’t been expecting him too, so I’m taken aback. She smiles warmly at me.

‘Thanks for letting us visit today. I hope you don’t mind. I’ve brought Detective Weis with me.’

‘Not a problem,’ I say casually. ‘My husband is home today too.’

I step back and bump into Jared.

‘Hello,’ he says, extending a hand to Colin Weis.

Do we seem too eager? I don’t want Sergeant Burden getting suspicious. I glance down the street before closing the door. Jared leads them into the living room.

‘Have there been any more burglaries?’ Burden asks.

‘Burglaries?’ I ask, not understanding her question.

She glances at the locks and then I remember.

‘No, I don’t think so.’

Burden smiles.

‘I’ll make tea,’ I say nervously.

‘Lovely,’ says Detective Weis.

I hurry to the kitchen where I attempt to calm my shaking hands.

‘Can I help?’ says Burden from behind me.

I must have jumped for she asks,

‘Is everything alright Mrs Miller?’

‘Yes, of course,’ I say, forcing a smile. I see her glance at Sam’s paintings that are stuck on the fridge.

‘These are very good,’ she says, touching them.

‘Yes,’ I say, dropping teabags into the mugs. I wish my hands would stop shaking. She will surely notice soon. ‘Sam likes to paint pictures.’

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