Page 166 of One Eye Open (The BlackWater)

Maddie groaned as her phone went off. She’d just gotten out of the clinic having snuck off again for her second set of injections, her head was hurting and she just wanted a few minutes of silence. She’d had to bribe Tony with more than just a coffee this time and he’d already devoured half his muffin before they even got out of the place.

“Cooper.” She said as she picked it up.

“Is that Maddie? Maddie Cooper?” The girl said hesitatively.

“Yeah, who’s this?”

“Dani. Dani Cox.” She said quickly. “You gave me your number ages ago…”

“I remember.” Maddie said pausing. “What do you want?”

“You said you could help us right?”

“I can Dani.” Maddie stated.

“There’s some girls. They’re coming in on a truck. They’re getting picked up this evening from by the docks.”

“This evening?” Maddie said.

“Yeah, they’re Polish I think. Eastern European at least. There’s fifteen of them in total.”

“Why are you telling me this now? Why today?” Maddie asked. It’d been months since she’d seen her, months she’d been down to Kent too. That whole side of the case had gone dormant.

She heard a muffled noise and waited.

“Look maybe I grew a conscience, maybe I’m just sick of this shit but you said you could help, so will you?” Dani snapped.

“Yeah I will. Send me the address. We’ll be there.” Maddie said before hanging up and immediately dialling Brandon.

“Mads.” Brandon said as he picked up.

“I just got a call from Dani Cox, you remember, Marcus’s girl.”

“What did she want?” Brandon asked.

“Apparently there are fifteen girls coming in on a lorry tonight. She’s sending the address as we speak.” Maddie stated.

“She just called you up to give you that information?” Brandon said.

“Apparently so.” Maddie muttered.

“Why?”

She shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine but I think she wants out. She didn’t sound too good.”

“I doubt she would if she’s snitching on Marcus.” He stated.

“True.”

“So what Mads, you want me to authorise a team to go down there?” He asked.

“I want to take a team down there.” Maddie corrected him.

“Your leg is still busted Maddie. There’s no way you can lead.” He stated.

“I agree but I’m also not gonna sit this out.”

She heard Brandon sigh. “Jesus you’re a pain in my arse.” He muttered.

---