Page 134 of No Safe Place
‘What is this?’ Andy shook his head, eyes going back to the photo of Ruby. ‘No—’
It was surreal, how similar they looked. Sam said so too,after the funeral. There was only ten months between them. Basically twins, Paige said in a group session once.
Riley had a hand on the door, poised to dash out.
Andy put his hand out for the photo and stared down into the face.
‘Is that who you think did this?’ he asked. ‘Paige’s sister?’
Chapter 96
Sunday | Evening
Field
Wilson was on the phone to Control. Riley was calling Callum, putting the phone down when it went to voicemail and hitting redial.
‘TSG and Firearms are at least forty minutes away,’ Wilson said, slamming the phone down. ‘Major incident ongoing in Orpington.’
Wilson and Riley stood next to each other, waiting to be told what to do.
‘I need one of you to stay here, co-ordinate the support,’ Field said. ‘I’m going to Callum Mulligan’s – in case they’re there.’
Riley and Wilson exchanged glances.
‘Take Riley,’ Wilson said. ‘He’s stronger than me – and he’s a better driver than either of us.’
‘Are you sure?’ Riley asked. ‘I don’t mind—’
Teamwork – better late than never. But Wilson was right, Riley drove faster than either of them.
‘Okay, fine. Riley – we’ll blue-light it to Plumstead,’ Field snapped.
He reached for his suit jacket, on the back of his desk chair.
‘Leave that,’ Field said. Riley froze, one arm in the jacket. ‘You’ll need a stab vest.’
Chapter 97
Sunday | Evening
Callum
‘Tell me why you’re doing this.’
The girl ignored him, pacing back and forwards in front of the door to the dining room. She held the knife in her left hand, but he noticed she winced whenever she lifted her arm above elbow height.
He couldn’t remember her name. It was there, on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn’t remember it. Paige had spoken about her sister a lot. “Basically twins” – ten months apart. Callum couldn’t believe he hadn’t spotted it from the start.
Her eyes – she had the same big dark eyes as Paige.
Lily whispered something behind him, but he missed it. He turned his head slightly towards her, indicating he needed her to say it again.
‘Ruby,’ she hissed, and the girl turned around.
‘Remembered my fucking name then?’
Ruby.
