Page 69 of She Saw What He Did

‘I think you were right to believe them. The female of the murdered couple was their cleaner. I was a bit scathing about it all on Laslow. I’m sorry about that. I think something did happen on the island. I’m not sure what. It’s also odd that Jared Miller was speeding just a short distance from their cleaner’s house at the time of the murder. They don’t strike me as the kind of people who speed. They’re too responsible.’

Ellen pictured Jared Miller in her head and had to agree.

‘So you think they were being chased?’ she said.

‘I think they were hurrying from Maria Blanca’s house.’

‘They’re not murderers,’ protested Ellen.

‘This was gruesome too,’ said Weis, pulling a face. ‘I saw photos of the crime scene. They knew something, and someone tortured them to get that information, if you want my opinion.’

Ellen felt her stomach tighten.

‘You think it’s connected to the murder on the island?’

He sighed.

‘All I know is that things are a bit odd.’

Ellen nodded and looked down at the papers in front of her.

‘Of course it would mean leaving St Cecilia’s,’ he said, nodding at the papers. ‘Would Peter come with you?’

The truth was that Ellen didn’t think he would.

Chapter Forty-Two

Sparrow was running out of time. All his plans were going wrong. He’d felt sure the kid would have had the box on her. Damn them to hell.

The days were racing by. His plan of kidnapping Sam was one he had hoped he’d never have to use. Now look what they’d made him do. He ran his hand through his hair and struggled to get his tired brain to work. He only had a few days before the box had to be delivered. He had to get that box to Asquith Hall.

He checked his watch.

‘Shit.’

He needed to get back. Questions would be asked otherwise. Maybe he should jump on a plane and go to South America while he could. He sighed heavily. They weren’t stupid. They were probably having him watched. God knows, he didn’t seem to know when they were. After that drone affair who could tell what they were capable of? They’d know if he went to the airport. They’d leak that file so fast he wouldn’t have time to think. There’d be police all over the place. He’d never make it. He had to get that fucking box. The Miller couple were pissing him off.

He climbed into the Fiesta. He’d better get the kid and her grandmother some food. This whole bloody business was costing him a fortune. He’d already laid out for a taxi so he could bring the grandmother’s car back. It had taken him forever to remove the number plates. He’d driven it into some bushes along the country lane that led to the cottage. By the time someone realised it looked suspicious he’d be half way to Brazil. No one ever seemed to be around anyway. The car could sit there for months and no one would see it.

His biggest worry was that the others would get the box before him. It was all getting out of hand. What he wouldn’t do for a decent night’s sleep.

His phone bleeped, and he cursed. He knew who that would be. This fucking nightmare seemed never ending.

*

Daphne looked at Sam’s peaceful face as she slept and then carefully crawled from the makeshift bed and switched on the electric heater. She’d made sure that Sam had all the covers. She couldn’t tell if her own shivering was due to the cold or if it was fear that was chilling her bones. The basement now smelt of leftover pizza. So far Sam still saw the whole drama as a big adventure. She hadn’t sniffed the danger yet and for that Daphne was grateful. She’d seemed to believe Daphne when she’d told her they would be going home very soon. Daphne didn’t know how much longer she could hide her anxiety. The man had so far only been back the once and that was with their pizza. He’d also brought bread and ham. Daphne didn’t think he would come back again tonight. She tiptoed to the basement door and pushed against it. There’s no way she could bash it down. She’d heard him shoot across several bolts from the outside. She’d listened intently for footsteps but so far had heard nothing. There had not even been the sound of a passing car. She wanted to bang on the doors and shout for help, but she didn’t want to alarm Sam. Surely Joe had phoned the police. They must be looking for them. It was only a matter of time before they were rescued. Someone must have seen the abduction. Their car would have been found. Joe would do everything in his power to find them. She knew that.

Chapter Forty-Three

For some reason Ellen had imagined that the Millers lived in a big fancy house. She wasn’t sure why she’d thought that, so she was surprised to see the small cottage in the heart of Fernsea’s countryside.

‘Nice place to live,’ she said.

It was a hot day but there were no windows open.

‘Looks like no one’s home,’ said Weis.

Weis pulled the car into a space opposite the cottage and Ellen got out. The heat from the sun hit her with force. She’d become acclimatised to the cool interior of the car’s air conditioning.

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