Page 84 of She Saw What He Did

‘It’s her,’ I groan.

Jared takes the phone. I’m too tired to stop him.

‘Hello,’ he says. ‘Yes fine, thank you.’

His eyes meet mine.

‘We’re expecting a really important call on this number,’ he says calmly. ‘It’s about my Mum. Can we call you back later?’

I clench my hands tightly together.

Jared says thanks and then hands the phone to me.

‘We have to keep our heads Abby. We don’t want her to guess something is going on.’

‘What did she want?’ I ask.

‘I don’t know. We have to call her back.’

I feel disconnected. Suddenly my life feels surreal. My head is permanently fuzzy. I can’t imagine life ever being normal again if Sam isn’t in it. I stare longingly at my phone willing it to ring and finally it does. It’s a withheld number. I take a deep breath and answer it.

‘Hello.’

‘Everything alright?’ asks the voice.

‘I thought you weren’t going to call,’ I say, releasing a sob.

‘Yeah, sorry, my battery died. I hope you haven’t done anything stupid?’

‘No,’ I say quickly. ‘We’ve just been waiting for your call.’

‘Do you have the money?’

‘Yes, in cash.’

There’s a sigh from the end of the phone.

‘Please tell me, is my daughter okay?’

‘She’s fine.’

‘Can I please speak to her?’

‘Why do you have to keep pestering me?’ he says angrily. ‘I told you she’s okay. Do you have the box?’

‘Yes, we do. Are you coming to get it?’

‘What happened to Maria Blanca?’

I take a breath.

‘I don’t know. I thought …’

‘Shit. Don’t let that box out of your sight. Do you understand?’

‘No we won’t, I promise. I just need to speak to …’

‘Shut the fuck up,’ he snarls. ‘You’re driving me insane.’

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