‘No, you can’t. But if you hand over the money, there’s no incentive to keep your kids, because then you would call the cops, and no kidnapper wants that. Too much hassle, plus there’s always the chance the cops will find them. The alternative’s much simpler: return the kids and walk away with the cash. Keeping hold of three kids is way too risky. So I’d say you should pay.’

‘And if we say no?’ Annabelle muttered.

‘There may be one more opportunity to pay,’ Rob said. ‘Or not. And your kids will be at huge risk. With no cash on the horizon there’s no incentive to hang around, or keep the kids alive.’

‘Thank you,’ Annabelle said. ‘This has been very helpful.’

‘I’m sorry,’ Rob said. ‘But if you do this right you can get your kids back. Call me if you need more advice. Maybe when you get the instructions. There might be something I can help with. And good luck. This is a tough situation.’

‘We will,’ Matt said. ‘And thanks.’

He cut the call.

‘Well,’ Annabelle said. Her lips were quivering and her voice was on the edge of breaking. ‘That was quite clear. We have to pay the price.’

Matt put his arm around her and held her tight. ‘No,’ he said. ‘There’s no way we can do that.’

‘Matt,’ she said. ‘If we don’t and I never see the kids again, I’ll never forgive myself. If it’s a choice between me and them suffering, I’d take me every time.’

He closed his eyes. She was right, he knew she was. But that didn’t make this any easier.

‘If we do,’ he said. ‘I’ll never see you again.’

‘You’ll have the kids. And they’ll be safe.’

‘But I love you, Annabelle.’

‘I know. And I love you too. But they’re our children, Matt.’

‘No,’ he said. ‘I’m not ready to accept this. Not yet. We’ll come up with something.’

‘OK,’ she said. ‘But if we don’t, we’re going to pay the ransom. It’s the only option.’

Annabelle

Annabelle walked out of the back door and into the garden. It was dark and cold but she needed fresh air, and some space to think. Now she had made up her mind she felt oddly calm. The panic and the fear were still there, but at least she had clarity. There were no more decisions to agonize over; she had resigned herself to what was going to happen. Someone wanted her – who, she could not imagine – and they were going to get her. There was nothing she could do to stop it. Matt was hoping to come up with something to stop this, but that was unlikely. It was obvious whoever it was had planned this for a long time, and they were going to make sure it worked.

Well, let them.