Anger flaring, she watched his chest rise and fall. Each breath was taken as if it was his last. ‘I can barely remember him,’ Sarah continued, as thoughts of Robin returned. ‘All I have are blurry old photos. I can see his face, but I can’t remember his essence, because I’ve buried the memory so far down.’ She was shaking now, a volcano of emotions. She swiped at the tears blurring her vision. ‘You took that from me. You killed an innocent child for money then let my father take the blame.’ Her lips a thin white line, she stared at the man before her. ‘You didn’t just kill Robin, or Mum and Dad. Whole family lines were wiped out because of you.’ She exhaled a shuddering breath. ‘I’ll dance on your grave, do you hear me? But not before I make sure everyone knows what you are.’ The steady rise and fall of John’s chest came to a halt as he exhaled a long, lingering breath. Sarah leaned closer. Was he dead?

Then a sudden, clawing breath as John’s chest jutted upwards, his mouth gaping open. Her legs giving way, she plopped back into the chair. ‘Oh my God. I thought you were dead!’ she tittered, emitting a tearful high-pitched laugh. She tried to imagine what it would feel like, cutting off his air supply. Since finding out about his involvement, she had fantasised about it. Retribution was a drug.

The cold chill of fear brought her to ground as Richie entered the room. ‘I shouldn’t be here,’ she said, reading the concern on his face. ‘I’m scared of what I might do.’

‘I’ll drop you home.’ Richie took her by the hand. John’s breath rattled. He wasn’t long for this world.

‘Why do you care?’ Sarah said. ‘You know what they say about me; I’m bad news.’

‘Believe it or not, I like you, although you’ve dragged me through so much shit I’m questioning my own sanity, never mind yours.’ He levelled her with a hard stare. ‘Let him die alone. It’s all he deserves.’

‘But I want everyone to know what he did.’ The injustice of the situation made her sick to her stomach, but Richie was guiding her towards the door.

‘They will. But now I’m getting you out of here. I don’t want you blamed when he croaks.’

Sarah allowed herself to be led away. The nurse met them in the corridor. ‘Are you OK?’

‘It all got a bit much,’ Richie said sombrely. ‘I doubt he’ll see out the night.’

She delivered a slow nod, most likely wondering why they were leaving. ‘Is there anyone I should call?’

‘No,’ Sarah said flatly. ‘They’re all dead.’ The nurse would find out soon enough. But for today, Richie was right. It was time to move on, and she knew where to start.