‘He had help,’ Sarah replied, her heartbeat returning to a normal rhythm. ‘He roped Christian in too.’ She thought about Maggie’s visits. She must have broken the news of Sarah’s return to Slayton with David over a year ago. Of her new job, her colleagues, and even the investigation. Everything Sarah had told her must have filtered down. Then using Christian’s keys, he’d gained access to her home. No wonder he knew so much about her life.

Richie updated control with his call sign on his police airwaves radio. Blood dripped from his arm onto the wooden floor. ‘I’m going code three two with Lewis Carter for the attempted murder of Detective Constable Sarah Noble. Can you get an ambulance over here, the suspect appears concussed.’ The rifle had been disarmed and placed next to the door. Sarah’s attention was drawn to the vibration of her own phone and she bent gingerly to pick it up from the floor. It must have picked up some signal. It was Maggie. She’d sent a text, after several missed calls.

Everything OK? Elliott had a bad dream and said you were in trouble. He’s fine, back in bed. Text me when you get this x

Relief flooded over her. Elliott was OK. ‘Jahmelia?’ she said, turning to Richie.

‘We got an anonymous tip-off. She’s been found in the boot of Christian’s car. Still alive, but critical.’

‘That’s a relief.’ Sarah turned to Lewis. ‘Is he going to be OK?’

‘I took his legs out from under him with my baton,’ Richie said. ‘That’s when the gun went off. He hit his head against the floor when he fell.’

Still dazed, she helped drag Lewis into a sitting position against the wall. A low groan escaped his lips. He was going to be OK. ‘Jeez, what is this thing?’ Richie shuddered at the sight of the insects crawling in Lewis’s cloak. Sarah smiled. Bugs had been the least of her worries. Blank and bleary-eyed, Lewis’s eyes fluttered open. He stared past them in silence as Richie relayed the police caution. The darkness that seemed to invade him had retreated into the shadows, dormant for now.

‘Put some pressure against that wound,’ Sarah said, pressing a tissue to Richie’s arm. ‘How did you know I was here?’

Richie guided her towards the window, his voice low. ‘Yvonne made me stay behind to man the phones while everyone went to the quarry. Your friend Maggie rang the office. She didn’t make a lot of sense at first, but I gathered that she was worried about you. She told me where you lived so I drove by and saw your car was gone. I knew where you had to be … I came straight here.’ He cast an eye over Lewis. ‘I saw the candles in the window. He was taking aim when I got here.’