Page 126 of She Saw What He Did

‘Mum, Sam are you in there?’ yelled Jared.

‘Daddy,’ screamed Sam.

She ran to the top of the basement steps.

‘Daddy, Daddy,’ she yelled.

‘It’s Jared,’ said Daphne, bursting into tears.

‘Yes we are,’ shouted Ellen, putting down the cooking ring.

She hoped he could hear them.

‘We’re in the basement,’ yelled Daphne.

‘I’m going to break the lock,’ called Jared.

Where was Ryan? Ellen wondered. Was the Prime Minister dead? She needed to call the police. What had happed to Abby?

*

Jared sent Abby a text.

‘Sam and Mum are safe.’

He only hoped she got it in time.

He pushed open the door of the basement and reeled back at the stink of urine.

Sam threw herself into his arms.

‘Daddy, Daddy,’ she cried. ‘Where have you been?’

Daphne didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Ellen walked out and took a large gulp of fresh air.

‘Where’s Abby?’ she asked hesitantly.

Jared hugged his daughter and mother close to him with tears rolling down his cheeks.

‘Don’t ask me things I can’t answer,’ he said.

Ellen looked into his face.

‘Jared, you must tell me,’ urged Ellen.

Jared turned from her and kissed his daughter.

‘I need to use your phone,’ said Ellen.

‘I beg you, Sergeant Burden. Please don’t contact the police until I know my wife is safe. Lester is with her and he is armed. Please trust me.’

Ellen sighed. Damn it, she thought.

She couldn’t even use her own phone. God knows what Ryan had done with her bag.

‘Let me drive you back,’ said Jared, taking her arm.

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