sunk. There was no baby. She pressed a number, any number on her phone and it made a connection. As she turned to defend herself from the person whose face was half-covered by the black hood, something struck her hard.
The last thing she heard was Briggs’s voice. ‘Hello… Gina. Are you there?’ Then her fuzzy vision lost the last bit of light, the stars in the sky were gone. She felt a prick in her neck. Sinking… she was sinking into uselessness. She tried to force her eyelids open but the sheer pain of the blow to her head and… the drug? Woozy, this was more than a blow to the head.
Chapter Fifty
DI Harte, this should help you remember. I need you to remember how it felt…
I hit the clapper-less bell with my gloved knuckle; it’s ready for its intended. The dull clunk brings a tear to my eye. Every bone in my body aches. I press on my arm: yes, yes the bruises are still there. Even though they come of their own accord, it’s still hard steering a wobbly body into a coffin. They still fight me with the little bit they have left to fight with. The exhaustion I feel is unreal. My face is flushed even though a frost has formed over the past couple of hours. I’ve never worked so hard but the work has only just begun for phase three.
One more to go then my work is done. The aggressor and the bystander have gone. The only one left is the instigator. You were more than just the instigator but that is what I remember you for. I thought you were my friend. Hurrying back to my car, I easily drive it out of the ditch. It was never as bad as it looked from the road but DI Harte, the hero, had to stop and check. She’d never forgive herself if she’d driven by without checking that everyone in the car was okay. I stare at the matchbox and three matches that sit on the passenger seat. This is it. After this one, I’m out, gone. I won’t be here to bear the consequences of everything I’ve done. My departure is all planned and I won’t be coming back. I’m going to fly and be free to not have to relive another nightmare.
DI Harte, she only wanted to save the baby and I tricked her. It was so easy, knowing her the way I do, and I didn’t have to wait around too long, thankfully. She wants to help, always helping people. Always catching the bad ones. She’s a hero but I know her pain and now she knows mine – every last bit of it. Then again, she already knew, a little reminder was all she needed, and I sure gave her that tonight. I am you, Gina, and you are me. We are one and the same, I just need you to see that.
Fight, DI Harte. You didn’t that last time, when Terry locked you away. You gave up like a little mouse. Now that mouse must become a lion.
I imagine her tear-soaked face. DI Harte, do you still choose to be a victim? I decided to no longer be a victim and you must do the same. I’ve prepared you for this moment. You’re ready, Harte. Time to fight. A tear rolls down my cheek. In another life we could have been a lot closer.
I pack the clapper and matches in my bag and carefully place them next to the syringe. I’m all prepared and ready to go. Final phase, here I come.
I’ve done all my watching.
I’m more than done with waiting.
Instigator – I am coming for you.
Chapter Fifty-One
Briggs stared at his phone. He’d tried to call Gina back but her phone was ringing out. He toiled over their last few words. He shouldn’t have walked away, he should have given her his time and put his anger aside. She was scared, he should have seen that, scared and paranoid, knowing that some killer was making things personal.
His anger was nothing more than love disguised. He knew that and he wondered if she really knew that. He shook his head. He didn’t even really know if she trusted him at the moment. He tried again. No answer.
‘Sir.’ Jacob stood in front of his open office door.
‘Everything okay?’
‘I don’t know. Guv was meant to call me back but she hasn’t. She was heading home and it’s not like her not to