A pang of sadness ran through her then at this thought. The fact was that with his fears and her necessity to work with Tyler, it would be much easier if Malick did leave. The idea sent a surge of guilt through Sarah’s body. It felt like a betrayal of all those years they had worked together.
The simple fact, however, was that things change, and not always for the best.
Chapter 20
THE TYRES OF THE STATION wagon bobbled and shook as the car left the main road and started across what Megan Stanver could only assume was a dirt track. She was blindfolded and tucked up in the boot of the car for the journey. Spalding had made her as comfortable as possible, however, and she’d just woken up from the injection she’d been given so that she would sleep for most of the ride.
As ever she had no real idea where she was going, but Megan didn’t feel as frightened this time about the move. Each time before now she’d had visions of being brought to a remote forest and being handed a shovel and told to start digging her own grave. This time was different though. They had spoken now, and Megan felt she was part of something—she still didn’t know what exactly, nor did she think her ultimate end had changed from death—bigger. She had some time on her side now.
Megan had eaten dinner with her captor two nights previous and they’d spoken at length about many things. He was evasive about some things but on other counts Spalding seemed to be telling the truth. Of course, she couldn't be sure, but she felt he was being honest. As they spoke, she wondered if he was trying to rope her in, drive her into some subtle Stockholm Syndrome scenario and she did her best to be wary of him at all times.
Megan had asked about her father and had cried profusely when Spalding confirmed he had in fact killed the woman in an attempt to save his daughter's life. She didn’t know if she would have preferred to die herself than see this happening, but she tried to put herself in her father’s shoes and wondered would she have done the same thing if she had a child in the same situation? She supposed she would never know.
The car came to a halt and there was silence in the air for a moment. Then the sound of some bird call came on the wind just as the door of the car opened. Megan felt the car tilt as the huge Spalding got out and then it righted itself as she heard his heavy footsteps coming to the back of the car.
The boot sprang open and bright sunlight poured in and blinded her a moment. She pulled her handcuffed hands to her eyes as a defence. Spalding leaned in and undid the shackles of her legs and then lifted her out and put her down on her feet, a hand still on her shoulder in case her legs were dead or she hadn't fully woken up yet.
“Welcome to the new home,” he said.
Megan turned her back to the sun and looked to see an old white three story farmhouse in front of her. It was once white but the paint had dulled and flecked off the wooden walls over the years. The grass around was unkempt and the building didn’t look like it had been occupied for a long time.
“Where are we?” she asked, though it was more an automatic thing than a real question; she knew he wasn’t going to tell her.
“We’re in southern Pennsylvania,” he replied. Megan looked at him with surprise; this was the first time in many months when she actually knew what State she was in.
“I hope it’s better inside that it looks from out here,” she said.
“It is,” he assured her and gently nudged her back to start her walking towards the house.
The front door was open, and Megan couldn’t help but notice it didn't seem to have any special locks on it. In fact, it looked like even she would be able to get through the door panels with a swift kick. Dust covered every surface, though the floor had trails that made it clear someone had been here recently. Cobwebs hung from the corners and there was a damp smell, the wood rotting through, she felt, in the air.
In the open hallway, Spalding passed her and went through what was once a dining room—the table and chairs still there but long covered in grime—and into the kitchen at the rear of the house. Megan stood still for a moment, looked to the unlocked door with the possibility of freedom behind it and then dismissed the idea of trying to run as ridiculous. She walked to the kitchen to the waiting killer.
“What are we doing here?” she asked looking around and out through the dirty window to the lands beyond. She couldn't make out much but saw there were no other buildings in sight.
“I think this place will be more comfortable for you,” he replied.
“You want me to live here?” she asked. He nodded. “Am I supposed to clean up the place?” Megan went on, not relishing the idea. At this Spalding laughed and shook his head,
“No, no,” he said. “You’ll have all you need here.”
“This place is a dump, what are you talking about?” Megan shot back hotly, her temper getting the better of her.
“There still have to be some surprises!” he said with a mischievous grin on his face. Megan didn’t know what he meant by this as
