Page 76 of Her Hidden Shadow

‘Right, are we going to see Tiffany then?’ Wyre asked as she hurried over.

Gina nodded. ‘I had a message from Jacob. He’s not leaving us.’

Wyre smiled. ‘That’s the best news.’

They reached the ward that Tiffany was recovering on, and Gina pressed the buzzer. The nurse recognised her from a previous visit and released the door. ‘Have you come to see Tiffany Crawford?’

‘We have,’ Gina replied.

‘Last room on the left. She’s tired but good to talk.’ The nurse smiled and sat behind the desk at the nurses’ station.

She knocked on the open door and Tiffany opened her eyes and glanced over at her and Wyre. ‘Are there any updates?’

Gina nodded. The only way to deliver the news about Kieron Crawford was straight. ‘We’ve arrested your husband for the murders of Sienna Moorcroft and Robbie Shields. We’ve also arrested him for attempting to murder you, controlling and coercive behaviour, and administering a noxious substance.’

She pushed her body up in the bed. ‘What? Because he was drugging me?’

Gina sat beside her bed. ‘Your husband was the man who strangled you.’ Gina gave it a few moments for the news to sink in. She had so much more to tell Tiffany, but some things could wait. She’d have to explain about Hazel at some point and also about Kieron’s past and current relationship with Lauren.

‘I… err…’ She paused. ‘It’s over.’

Gina nodded. ‘There is more you need to know.’

‘Okay.’ Tiffany blinked hard and rubbed her tired eyes.

‘We’ve also arrested Lauren Cross for your attempted murder.’

‘But she came to see me earlier.’

‘We have reason to believe she drugged you and she left the wine for you to drink and the note.’

Tiffany shook her head and wiped her damp eyes. ‘I trusted her. I let her into my home and… Was it Kieron? Did he put her up to it? Were they…?’

Gina nodded. ‘I’m sorry.’

She paused and began to massage her temples. ‘Don’t be. Finally, things make sense. Am I even ill?’

Gina shrugged.

‘All these years, wasted. How do I get past this? How?’ Huge sobs filled the room as Tiffany let it all out. Gina remained beside her for the next half an hour until the nurse thought it best that she and Wyre left. ‘Tiffany, you’re safe now. I know it’s not easy, but it will get easier, I promise.’ Gina headed towards the door. ‘I’ll come back tomorrow after you’ve had some more rest. Okay?’

Tiffany nodded and Gina left with Wyre. The case was presentable to the CPS, but it was far from over. There would be months of waiting while it went to court. Tiffany would be called as a witness and Gina knew she’d be there to support her through it. She wasn’t Sullivan. She did have a heart and she always would have. Better to feel and be hurt in life than to exist as a stone. She wondered what Sullivan would see as she crashed into the window that was about to end her career. The super’s life was now shattered, and Gina had been forced through a wringer, but she had her team back.

Epilogue

Friday, 3 February

Gina drove down the country lane to the Drunken Duck, and she pulled into the car park. What a week it had been. A rock dabbed in dried-up blood and two neatly preserved strips of blonde hair had been found in the door panel of Kieron’s car which had provided more evidence towards his conviction.

She was still tense from explaining everything again to Hazel Blackford but it was over. The woman finally knew who had tried to strangle her and she was more than happy about being a witness in court. On leaving, Gina had watched through their games room window as Hazel hugged her partner and tiny baby. She too could now get back to living.

As for Tiffany, Gina had managed to find her mother who was ready and willing to rush down from Nottingham to be with her daughter. It appeared that Kieron had pulled her away from her family and all this time they’d been waiting and hoping that one day, Tiffany would come back to them. The reunion had caused Gina to rush to her car and sob her heart out. She missed her own mother terribly and maybe over the weekend, she’d go and take some flowers to her grave. She closed her eyes and leaned back in the driver’s seat, in darkness as she fought the tears away. What an emotional week it had been? It was one she never wished to repeat.

A thud on her car window made her jolt up and gasp. Briggs opened the car door. ‘We’re all waiting for you before we order. What are you doing out here?’

She went to speak but tears flooded down her face.

‘Come here.’ He bent over and held her as best he could through the open window.

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