Page 125 of She Saw What He Did

‘He can’t speak,’ I say.

Jaime chokes and falls back as Jared releases him.

‘Lester has your daughter,’ the man gasps.

‘How do you know?’ I whisper. ‘Have you seen her?’

The man gets his breath and nods.

‘He has her in a cottage.’

My head spins.

‘A cottage,’ I repeat, feeling myself sway. ‘Is she alright?’

‘How do we know we can believe you?’ asks Jared sceptically. ‘How do you know about this?’

‘I have a recording.’

He pulls a memory stick from his pocket.

‘I want to help,’ he says. ‘I saw the murder on the beach. My drone flew over there. Someone paid me to fly it there. I saw Lester murder that guy. I was scared to go to the police. I thought … I thought I’d follow Lester to see what he was up to and I followed him to the cottage. I couldn’t understand why no one had reported the child missing.’

‘Lester is threatening us,’ I say.

‘I figured as much,’ says Jaime.

‘Take me to where Sam is,’ demands Jared.

Jaime nods.

‘But what if …’ I begin.

I’m desperate to go with Jared but what if Lester has moved them? What if we get to the cottage and Sam isn’t there?

‘How do we know we can trust you?’ asks Jared.

‘You don’t but I’m not callous. There’s a kid involved. Lester is scum for using a kid.’

‘I have to go through with it, Jared,’ I say tearfully.

‘Go through with what?’ asks Jaime.

And so we tell him.

*

Daphne looked to Ellen at the sound of a car pulling up outside. Ellen picked up the small cooking ring and moved stealthily up the steps to the basement door. Daphne’s heart pounded in her chest. She couldn’t take any more of her angina tablets. She was sure she’d taken too many as it was.

Ellen knew she’d need to whack Ryan hard the first time otherwise she didn’t stand a chance. She hated doing it in front of Sam but what choice did they have?

Daphne waited, her eyes locked on the door. Why was it taking so long?

‘Why isn’t he opening the door?’ she whispered.

Ellen shook her head and gestured for Daphne and Sam to stay quiet.

There was a sudden banging on the front door and they all jumped.

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