they’re doing, how it damages them. Don’t you see? Victor showed them a better way, a shaft of light, of reason. A design for living that didn’t involve instant gratification, didn’t involve taking pleasure from the misery of others. Where was that for the Inghams? Where were the tears?’
Nicole stood now, unable to look at him. She checked her watch again. A noise from the other room focused her attention. ‘In here,’ she shouted over her shoulder. She raised her gun to Brook. ‘Your phone please, Inspector.’
Brook stood up. ‘I’ve told you. You won’t kill me. Sorenson would spin in his grave.’
Nicole aimed the gun lower. ‘How would he react to a kneecap, do you think?’
Brook held her gaze for a few seconds, then pulled out his phone. He took a huge pull on the last of his cigarette and threw the phone wide of her left hand. As she turned instinctively, he leapt for her gun hand and managed to knock the revolver up, then jammed the lit cigarette butt into her hand. She screamed and released the gun into Brook’s hand. She glared at him, nursing her hand.
‘Drop it, Damen!’
Brook and Nicole Bailey turned to the doorway together.
Brook’s heart sank. Mike Drexler stood, face set, eyes like pebbles, looking at him down the barrel of a gun.
‘Real careful.’
After a pause, Brook bent slowly to place the revolver on the floor. For some reason, Nicole didn’t bolt over and pick it up. He looked over at her. She hadn’t moved. Her eyes were glued onto Drexler, waiting while she massaged her burned hand.
‘Good. Now kick it under the sofa.’
Brook backheeled the weapon under the sofa. ‘Mike…’
‘Shut up.’
‘Agent Drexler. It’s been a while. Let’s see…’
‘Fifteen years, Nicole — 1995. Think I’d forget?’
Nicole held his gaze, nodding in awe at the passing of time. ‘As long as that?’
‘Mike,’ said Brook, looking from one to the other, unsure of what else he would say.
‘Don’t talk, Damen,’ said Drexler insistently, a look of distaste on his face. ‘Get on the bed, Nicole. No, not on your ass, on your knees. You can keep your clothes on this time.’ Nicole slowly walked round the bed, then clambered onto the mattress.
‘Mike,’ tried Brook again. ‘You’ve got to…’
Drexler trained the gun between Brook’s eyes to halt him. ‘Sorry to interrupt but I can’t listen to you. I actually believed you, you’re that good, Reaper man. Sorenson drilled you real well — and I ought to know.’ He adopted a sneering, British accent. ‘“I was young and in a bad place.” That was a good line. So imagine my surprise the next morning, looking out my window and seeing you with Nicole Bailey. All cosy — going for a walk and all. Now how careless is that, after all these years?’ He speared a glance at Nicole. ‘Did you think I wouldn’t recognise you after all this time, kid? Think I wouldn’t see past the hair colour and the cosmetic surgery?’
Nicole shrugged, adopting a pose. ‘What do you think?’
Drexler broke into a smile. ‘I think you look pretty damn good. For a dead girl.’
Nicole nodded. ‘Better than my sister?’ Drexler squirmed and rearranged the gun in his hand. ‘Can you still see Sally’s face, Mike? I carry it with me every day.’
‘So do I,’ he replied, through gritted teeth.
‘Thank you for that, Mike. I appreciate it. I’m just glad you can’t hear her screams like I do.’
Drexler lowered his gun and turned to Nicole, a haunted look in his eye. ‘Cut it out.’
‘Do you ever dream, Mike?’
‘I said, cut it out.’ Drexler aimed the gun at Nicole. ‘Listen, kid, I dream about the things I’ve seen, sure, the things people do to other human beings. And I was on that estate after you took down that family.’ Brook tried to speak but was halted by a wave of the gun. ‘And no, they won’t be missed. And yes, people are even glad they’re gone. But Jesus, kid. A nine-year-old child?’ Drexler took a deep breath and his tone became more measured. ‘Look, I understand the impulse. And I’m not going to preach. You do whatever Sorenson wants; it’s none of my business.’ He lowered the gun. ‘Killing a rapist is one thing but I couldn’t shoot you any more than I could hang an unarmed kid. That’s not why I’ve been all round the country looking for you.’
‘Victor Sorenson is dead, Mike,’ said Nicole with lowered head.
‘So it’s true.’ Drexler looked at Brook.
‘Mike. You have to know something,’ began Brook.
‘Damen, give it up,’ said Nicole. ‘We had a good run. But Mike’s got us cold.’
‘But, Mike, wait…’
‘You heard. Give it up, Damen. I’ve been following you since I saw you together. See, you were my one link to Sorenson and The Reaper.’
‘That’s why you moved to Hartington.’
‘And right next door too. How lucky was that? And boy, you were good. I was almost convinced but then you slipped up. And here I am in your secret lair. Your Aladdin’s cave,’ he chuckled, looking around the room. ‘Sorenson was always so well organised. But like I said, I’m not trying to step on any toes. I’m here for one thing — to see my friend.’ There was silence for a moment. ‘Where is she?’
‘Right behind you, Mike.’
A moment later Drexler’s grip relaxed and the gun lowered. ‘I can’t.’
‘Kill him,’ screamed Nicole, tearing towards Drexler.
McQuarry stepped across her path and grabbed her flailing fists. She picked up the slight girl and threw her onto the bed where she stayed, sobbing into a pillow.
‘Easy, honey.’ She moved back to Drexler and patted him on the back. ‘What’s this?’ She picked up an envelope from a side table. It had Drexler’s name on it. She handed it to him.
Drexler took it from her and tore it open.
‘What is it, Mike?’
‘It’s from Sorenson.’ Drexler read the three lines of type quickly then let his hand fall and turned to stare at Jacob Ashwell moaning on the ground. He looked over at the girl, a bitter smile on his face. McQuarry took the note from him and read.
‘Go on, Ed. Finish the sentence.’
McQuarry smiled at her partner. ‘Remember Sally Bailey’s face.’ She dropped the letter on the floor and walked over to the portable CD player and turned on the music. ‘This is nice.’ When she turned back to Drexler his weapon was raised again. ‘Good, let’s get this done, Mike.’
‘You didn’t speak to the nurse, did you, Ed?’
‘This is a shock, Mike, I know…’
‘Sorenson found the girl at Caleb’s cabin — still alive.’
‘Barely alive, Mike. The crash nearly killed her.’
‘I wish it had,’ squeaked the girl, tears still rolling down her face.
‘All this time, trying to connect Sorenson to the Ashwells, and the girl was hidden away in his house. And the nurse … did you actually speak to her, Ed?’
McQuarry shook her head. ‘No. But it stopped you talking to her.’
‘And all that … stuff Sorenson knew about my father and Kerry. You?’ McQuarry nodded. ‘And Hunseth?’ She nodded again. ‘How could you?’
‘I did what I had to do, Mike. Same as you will.’
Drexler nodded faintly. ‘You think I’m going to shoot Ashwell for you and Sorenson?’
‘Don’t do it for either of us. Do it for her.’ McQuarry nodded at Nicole Bailey. ‘Do it for Sally.’ Nicole covered her face with her hands, sobbing harder. ‘You’ve no idea what she went through, Mike.’
‘That doesn’t justify…’
