Page 26 of Wistful Whispers

Mincer keeps poking meinto the back with the gun as we walk to the boathouse and in my attempts to get away from him I almost stumble over my own feet.

Jake keys in a code and pulls open the door to the lower floor. The boathouse is a unique feature at Greenview Manor. Unlike most boat houses, it’s not built from wood but from beautiful sand-coloured stone in the same Victorian style as the hotel.There’s a covered pier on the ground floor where the sailing yacht of the hotel is moored, as well as the entrance to the stairs to Jake’s small studio flat on the first floor.

Mincer makes Jake stand back whilst he and I climb on board and then allows Jake to follow. This is the first time I’ve been able to meet his eyes since we left Fellside. His face is a mask of pain and fear and knowing him, he’s not worried about himself. He’s worried about me.

Our only hope now is that the silent alarm Jake set off was received by the police and they’re on their way. But what if they get to us too late? When we’re out on the lake there will be no hope. The thought makes me gag.

“Don’t tell me you’re already seasick,” Mincer croaks before pushing me onto a seat on the left of the boat. “Jackie I want you to tie up your lovely girlfriend. Here.” He throws a roll of duct tape to Jake who automatically catches it.

“Don’t make me do—”

“I gave you an order,” Mincer cuts Jake off and directs the gun towards my head.

Jake’s wide and desperate eyes meet mine. He whispers a strained “I love you” as he kneels in front of me. My heart pounds, fighting against the helplessness that’s settling over me like a weight. His hands are trembling as he takes mine and pulls them behind my back. The duct tape feels cold and sharp as it wraps around my wrists.

“Don’t fuck with me, pull it tight,” Mincer shouts.

I wince when Jake pulls it snug, although I know he could make it much tighter if he wanted to. Every tear and pull of the tape sounds like thunder in the silent boat.

“Legs too,” Mincer says as he watches every move, his voice like steel.

Jake hesitates but reaches down to my ankles, taping them together just as tightly. I can feel him trying to be gentle, his hands soft against my skin. I can’t help the tears that spill over, blurring my vision as he reaches for my face. I pull back instinctively and shake my head but Jake just looks at me with that same apologetic, devastated expression. He tears off a strip of tape and presses it firmly over my mouth. The adhesive stings against my skin, trapping the sob I’ve been fighting back. My muffled voice dies against the tape which leaves nothing but my shallow breaths echoing around us.

Mincer grins, clearly pleased with himself, and shoves me to the floor. I stumble down, hitting the hard deck of the boat, feeling the cold seep through my clothes. He settles next to me and makes himself comfortable, casually resting his boot on my leg like I’m nothing more than furniture. The gun stays steady on his knee, the metal glinting under the dim light.

“Alright Jackie,” he says, his tone dripping with mockery. “Let’s take a little trip, shall we?”

A flash of rage crosses Jake’s face as his eyes flicker between Mincer and me. He looks like he wants to say something, likehe wants to fight, but the gun is right there. He gives a stiff nod and moves to the front of the boat, starting up the engine with a quick turn of the key. The boat jolts as it comes to life, a deep rumble vibrating beneath me as we start gliding forward out into the vast lake.

The shore drifts away behind us, swallowed by the mist rolling in off the water. I can see Jake glancing over his shoulder every so often, his jaw tight, his knuckles white on the wheel. There’s something fierce in his eyes, a look that gives me just a shred of hope like maybe he’s got a plan. But Mincer just leans back, crossing one ankle over his knee, completely at ease.

“Grant isn’t going to protect you,” Jake says in a tight and controlled voice. “You know he’ll throw you under the bus the second he needs a scapegoat. You’ll be the one they come after. He’s using you.”

“Is that right?” Mincer smirks, barely looking at Jake. “See, here’s the thing,Jackie. I don’t need protecting. Grant pays and I do my job. That’s all that matters.”

Jake’s silent for a moment, his grip tightening on the wheel as he steers us further into the open water. The boat rocks slightly in the low waves but we are steadily moving away from the safety of the pier.

“Grant’s not coming through for you,” Jake says again, his voice sharper this time, his eyes hard as he looks back at Mincer. “When this all goes south he’ll cut ties. You’ll take the fall.”

Mincer just laughs, the sound dark and hollow. “You don’t know a thing about Grant. But don’t worry,” he says, glancing down at me with a twisted grin, “soon enough none of it will matter.” He gives my leg a shove with his boot, like I’m just a piece of cargo he’s discarding.

A shiver runs down my spine, not just from the cold but from the look in his eyes—empty, detached, like he’s already planned how this will end. I force myself to look at Jake, hoping he’ll see the fear I can’t put into words. Hoping that somehow he’ll know what to do.

The shore is getting smaller and smaller and I wonder how far we’re going. There’s a twinge in my belly and another tear rolls over my cheek.

I’m sorry, baby girl. I am so sorry. If this all ends badly I’m sorry that I couldn’t give you life. I am so sorry that this all has to end for you before you even had a chance to take your first breath.

I lie still and cry. Tears for my little girl that I’ll never hold in my hands. Tears for not being able to spend more time with Jake. Tears for not seeing my family again. I’ve never known fear and sadness like I feel in this moment. All the things I had secretly allowed myself to hope for that won’t happen.

I close my eyes and try to recall all the happy moments I’ve had over the last few months. My first kiss with Jake. When he told me he loved me. When I realised I loved him, my best friend, my soulmate.

I never believed in soulmates but there’s no better word to describe him.

My heart breaks for him too. He saw his brother and his mum die. And now he will have to watch me die. I’m sure this is Mincer’s plan. Make Jake suffer before he kills him as well.

My heart is breaking and the tears won’t stop. There’s another little nudge in my tummy and it makes me cry even more.Sorry, baby girl.

In all my self-pity I don’t notice the argument that’s broken out between Jake and Mincer. I’m suddenly and roughly pulled to my feet and Mincer makes me stand in front of him.

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