‘You said it,’ she says. ‘Animals. Sorry, asshole, but giants don’t exist in real life. Nor does Santa Claus, in case you were wondering. Now that you’ve brought the police to my doorstep—’

Thistle’s here. I try not to look relieved. ‘Police?’

‘Drop the act. Here’s what’s going to happen. You’ll walk out of here. I’ll stay in the house, but I’ll be watching you through my scope. You’re going to convince your cop friends to leave. I don’t care how you do it. But if they’re not gone in five minutes, I’m going to start shooting. You first, then them. I reckon I can get all of them before one gets me.’

I need to stall her. Give the police some time to case the house. Give Thistle a chance to figure out how to save me.

‘Is that how you killed all these “animals”?’ I ask.

Sindy holds my gaze. ‘They died humanely.’

‘What kind of animals were they?’

‘Dangerous ones. They were hunting me as much as I was hunting them.’

‘I doubt that,’ I say, thinking of Ruthven. ‘I think they were just lonely.’

She jerks the gun upwards. ‘Come with me,’ she says, and backs slowly away up the stairs.

I don’t follow her.

‘Just so you know,’ she says, ‘I don’t think the people outside are even sure anyone’s home. My plan B is to lock you in the cellar and shoot the first person who approaches the front door. Then all the others. Once they’re dead, I can come back down and kill you.’ She looks me up and down. ‘You have lovely skin, by the way.’

I don’t, but it’s an effective threat. Two days ago I was a virgin. By next week I might be part of a sex doll.

I slowly climb the stairs.

When we get to the front door, Sindy stands behind it. I can see a van parked outside in the dark.

‘Remember,’ she says. ‘Five minutes. I’ll be watching.’

The cabin has two windows. I wonder which one she’s planning to shoot from.

‘Give me ten,’ I say. ‘I don’t know what I’m going to say.’

‘You’ll think of something,’ she says, and opens the door.

I walk out of the house slowly, my hands up. The door creaks closed behind me, but doesn’t click. She’s keeping it ajar.

At that moment, four people get out of the van—and I realise that they’re not my salvation.

Charlie Warner hops down from the passenger seat. Sariklis and Tane—the guy who accosted me at the courthouse steps—clamber out of the back of the van, both holding guns.

Maurice Vasquez gets out of the driver’s seat.

CHAPTER 46

CHAPTER 46

What gets bigger the more you take away?