Page 38 of When You're Safe

Finn instinctively took the lead.He knew Winters wouldn’t like that, but he worried about what Alan Ross mightdo if they found him in there. Finn would rather take on a knife-wieldingkiller than risk Amelia getting hurt. Even though she was totally capable oftaking care of herself.

As they madetheir way deeper into the house, the atmosphere grew colder. The once pleasantscent of family meals cooked in the kitchen and clean laundry was replaced by astagnant air that left a heavy taste on the tongue.

The gasping noisesbecame more audible as they walked further. It had transformed into a low,rhythmic sobbing. It echoed through the silence, creating an eerie dissonance.

“Left,”Winters whispered.

Finn noddedand turned toward the narrow hallway that led to the back of the house. Theymoved as quietly as possible, ears pricked, eyes alert, prepared for anything.As they neared the end of the hallway, the sobbing grew louder, more desperate.The sound was unmistakably that of a woman.

Finn motionedfor Winters to stay back. He approached the door at the end of the hallway slowly,putting his ear against it. The sobbing was definitely coming from the otherside. Taking a deep breath, he gently pushed the door open.

The sight thatmet him was unexpected.

A woman, presumablyin her mid-forties, was huddled in a corner of the room. She was surrounded bypictures of a happy family—presumably hers. There were crumpled tissuesscattered around her. Mascara streaked her face from her tears.

Wintersstepped into the room, her initial caution replaced by concern. “Are you okay?”

The womanlooked up, her blue eyes filled with pain and confusion. “Wh-who are you?”

“We’re fromthe Hertfordshire Constabulary,” Winters replied gently. “We’re looking forAlan Ross. Are you…?”

“His wife,” shechoked out. “His estranged wife. I just… I found out. Everything. The debts,the threats. He said he would fix everything, but I didn’t know how.”

Winters kneltbeside her. “It’s okay, we’re here now. Can you tell us where Alan is?”

She shook herhead. “I haven’t seen him. He called earlier, sounded strange, said he wassorry, and then he hung up.”

A sense ofurgency washed over Finn. If Ross was under this much pressure, desperate andpotentially dangerous, he could do anything. “Mrs. Ross, we need to find himbefore anything else happens. Can you think of any places he might go?”

She thoughtfor a moment. “I don’t know… He could be anywhere. I don’t even know who he isanymore.”

Winters nodded.“Do you have a phone number for him?”

Among thepapers and discarded photographs, Mrs. Ross pulled out an old business card. “It’son there.”

“Thank you,”Finn said. “We’ll have a constable come and talk to you shortly. Please staysafe and call us if you hear anything.”

Winters handedthe woman her card.

“What are yougoing to do if you find him?” the woman sobbed.

“We’ll keephim safe from himself,” Winters replied gently. “Let’s go, Finn.”

As theyhurried back outside, Finn felt a rush of adrenaline. “We need to find himbefore he hurts anyone else.”

“I know!”Winters replied. “We need to ask the chief for someone to ping Alan Ross’sphone to get a location.”

“Can we get ittracked?” Finn asked, uncertain of what the British police protocols were.

“Wait amoment,” Winters said, pulling out her mobile phone. “I’m going to see if the constabularycan help us with this.” She dialed a number, waiting briefly as she exchanged afew words, her voice low and urgent. “I need a ping on Alan Ross’s mobile. Yes,immediately.”

Finn leanedagainst the wall by the front door, watching Winters’s face for any sign ofnews. The silence felt stretched out, palpable. Every second mattered.

Finally,Winters snapped her phone shut, her face serious. “They’ve tracked the number.”

“And?”

“It’sBlackfriar’s Bridge.”

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