Page 64 of The Truth Will Out
“No! Don’t tell me her death is linked to the investigation?”
“It is. Furthermore, during the day, it’s come to our attention that she was also connected to Pendle House. We believe she uncovered something important which ultimately led to her death. We’ve since found an email from the killer, requesting that she meet them at the harbour on the night she died.”
“And she didn’t tell you? I’m sensing a pattern here.”
Sam sighed. “Yes. God, it has been eating away at me all day, the fact that both Claire and Rhys have deceived me over the years.”
Doreen wagged her finger. “You mustn’t think that, Sam. There must be a reason they both kept the information from you. I’m not saying it was intentional, but there must be some reason why they didn’t tell you.”
“I’ve got a lot of thinking to do this evening. First, I’m going to drink my coffee, and then I’m going to take Tilly for a walk. I’m sure it’ll help clear my head.”
“I agree. Walking, especially on a lovely evening like tonight, will be good for your mental health.”
Sam smiled and finished her coffee. “I’m going to love you and leave you. Thanks for letting me bend your ear. Sorry if you found the revelation about Rhys upsetting.”
“It’s life, sweetheart. Think about Rhys and the time you’ve shared together so far. Don’t let his past, and the horrors it holds, define your future. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that he’s returned to us safely.”
Sam hugged her friend. “Thank you for being you. You truly brighten my life.”
“That’s the sweetest thing to say. You know I regard you as family, Sam. I’m always here for you. Please, please remember that.”
“I will. I’m forever in your debt, kind lady.”
After her walkand feeding Tilly, Sam turned her attention to cobbling together an evening meal for herself from the limited food she found in the fridge. “Looks like omelette for tea this evening, girl. Cheese and tomato, with a few chunks of pepper and bacon thrown into the mix.”
As she watched the egg mixture cook, her thoughts wandered back to Rhys and what must be happening to him, if she was right and he had been abducted by the killer. A burning smell brought her back to the here and now. “Shit! I can’t even make my own dinner properly. What’s the frigging chance of rescuing my bloody fiancé?” She flipped the omelette in the pan and sighed. “Burnt offerings on the menu for this evening, Tilly. Even your dinner seems more appetising than what I’m about to eat.”
Her mobile tinkled. A message had arrived. She closed her eyes and uttered a silent prayer that it was from Rhys.
When you findout the ones closest to you lie, who do you become?
Sam staredat the message and reread it three times, her stomach twisting and her heart racing. Caller ID not recognised. No signature—as if there would be. Nothing.
He was taunting her, letting her know that he had Rhys. She considered calling Bob but feared what the repercussions would be if she did. The killer was watching her, striking the litmus paper and daring her to crumble.
Again, the same doubts she had experienced during the day resurfaced. Who could she trust?
Did she have it in her to remain focused? A ripple of fear reverberated through her body.
Do I have it in me to counter yet another serial killer who appearsintent on coming after me and the people closest to me? I have to warn my family, just in case.
Fortunately, her father and Margaret were overseas in the Channel Islands, so she didn’t feel it necessary to worry them. She rang Crystal, her sister, and spilled the truth.
“What? No, you can’t be serious. Why do these feckers keep going after Rhys?” Crystal asked.
“Pass. Ask me another. The problem is, I don’t know who this bastard is going to come after next. I need you and Vernon to stay somewhere else for a few days. Out of danger. Just until we’ve caught the fucker.”
“Where can we go?”
“I don’t know. Rent a cottage. I’ll pay if necessary.”
“This is insane, Sam. Who would come after you and your family like this?”
Sam explained what she and her team had been tackling since the first murder had landed on her desk and the connection between the victims. “You see what we’re up against here? The killer has already taken out one of my team and abducted my fiancé. I wouldn’t ask you to leave your home if I didn’t feel it was important, sis.”
“All right. I’ll see what we can come up with between us and let you know what we decide later. Silly question coming up: how are you holding up?”
Sam smiled. “Apart from burning my omelette, fair to middling.”
