Page 98 of She Saw What He Did

Abby

I grab my mobile, almost ripping it from its charger.

‘Abby?’ questions a voice.

Please don’t let him know. Don’t let him have seen Burden and Weis.

‘Yes,’ I say.

I hear murmuring in the background. He’s talking to someone.

‘Sam?’ I cry before I can stop myself.

‘Abby, it’s me.’

Oh God. Is it really Daphne?

‘Daphne, oh thank God,’ I sob.

Joe jumps from his seat on the couch and attempts to take the phone from me.

‘Let me speak to her,’ he demands.

‘No Joe, wait,’ I cry, wrestling the phone from him. ‘Daphne, is Sam alright? He hasn’t hurt her, has he?’

‘We’re fine Abby. We’re okay, just do everything he tells you and everything will be okay.’

‘Put Sam on please.’

I hear a grunt and Daphne pleading. My heart aches with the pain of hearing her voice.

‘That’s it,’ says the man.

‘Let me talk to my daughter, that’s all I ask.’

‘You’re never satisfied, are you?’

Anger suddenly overtakes me. I pound my fist against the wall.

‘You evil bastard,’ I snarl.

‘Now that’s not nice. I think you should apologise.’

I clench my fists.

‘I’m sorry,’ I say. ‘I’m just frantic about my daughter. Do you have children?’

Maybe I can appeal to his softer side. Surely he must have one?

‘I didn’t fucking phone to discuss my private life. Stop wasting my time. Now, listen carefully. Your daughter and the old lady will be released soon. Just don’t do anything stupid. You’ll receive a packet. It will come this afternoon by special courier. Inside are instructions on where and when to take the box and who to hand it to. It’s clear. Don’t get scared. You have to deliver it. Your family’s safety depends on it. So don’t fuck it up. Say you understand?’

‘I understand, but …’

‘You deliver the box, and everyone is happy. You deliver the box. Do you understand? Not your husband.’

‘Can I speak to my daughter?’

He groans.

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