Page 80 of She Saw What He Did

But she wouldn’t stop. The woman tried to calm her with the chocolate, but she slapped it out of her hand.

Sparrow felt something snap in his head. He ran up the steps and yanked open the basement door. He fell out into the fresh air slamming the front door behind him. He felt sure he could still hear the kid’s cries.

‘Jesus Christ,’ he muttered, getting into the Fiesta. That’s what you get for being nice, he thought. Bloody spoilt brat, didn’t appreciate anything. He drove a short way and then stopped so he could think. They had money then? He should have known. He’d have to make sure the kid and her grandmother came to no harm. He checked the time and then pulled out the grandmother’s phone. He took a few deep breaths and then called Abby Miller.

*

Abby

The phone call we have been waiting for comes at last. Jared, Joe and I are sitting at the kitchen table. We haven’t eaten properly since Sam went missing. Jared looks weak. He ought to eat but I’m too tired to keep telling him. Joe is more anxious than ever now. We all are.

‘What if he was watching?’ Joe had said, his face a mask of pain and worry. ‘What if he no longer trusts us? What if …’

‘We have to stay positive,’ Jared had interrupted.

I’d wanted to scream. It’s all I’ve wanted to do since the man took my daughter. I’m finding it harder and harder to stay positive. Several times I’ve come close to phoning Ellen Burden. I’d punched in her number but couldn’t press the call button. Jared says our phones may be bugged. I daren’t use a phone box in case he is watching us.

‘But how could he have bugged our phones?’ I’d asked to which Jared had just shrugged.

The house has become a fortress. We have locks everywhere. I’m imprisoned in my own home. I feel sure I will go mad soon. I’m about to make more coffee when the call comes. I stare mesmerised at the withheld number until Jared shakes me.

‘Answer it.’

My mouth is dry.

‘Hello,’ I croak.

‘Listen carefully,’ says the voice.

I strain my ears to hear Sam in the background. Please don’t let her be crying. But all I can hear is a loud rushing sound.

‘You need to get fifteen thousand in cash …’

‘But …’

‘I’ll phone in an hour. Don’t let me down. Do you understand?’

‘Yes but, please …’

‘No police.’

‘Can I please speak to my daughter? Please she’s only four and …’

‘Get the money.’

‘Did you kill Maria?’

‘What?’

‘Please …’

I stop when I realise the line has gone dead.

‘No,’ I cry.

Jared and Joe look expectantly at me.

‘He wants fifteen thousand,’ I say.

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