There was no street lighting on the lane. A beam of light activated as she walked past the driveway to the Porters’ house.
If Symes was as determined as she thought he was, she wouldn’t be alone for very long.
She tried to keep her body relaxed as she heard the hum of a car engine behind.
Her heart started hammering in her chest, the blood was rushing to her ears, but she maintained her speed and composure.
She took a deep breath as the car stopped.
She tensed her back as she heard the footsteps nearing behind her.
She didn’t turn around and she didn’t cry out when the searing pain in her head turned the world black around her.
SEVENTY-FOUR
‘Bloody hell, how long was I out?’ Leanne asked, sitting upright.
‘First or second time?’
‘What?’
She had no recollection of coming round at all after that searing pain had rendered her unconscious.
‘You were out for a total of seven minutes. How’s the pain?’
She tried to move it.
‘It’s a ten,’ she groaned as stars floated across her eyes.
She looked around the paramedic, surprised that Stone wasn’t gloating from the doorway.
She looked to the other paramedic as the first readied an injection.
‘Can you grab that mean-looking, short-haired police officer and tell her I’m almost good to go?’
The first paramedic frowned as he held the needle close to her arm.
‘The one in the leather jacket?’
‘That’s the one,’ she said as the needle sank into her skin.
‘She took off ages ago,’ he said, nodding towards the gate.
Leanne reached for her phone and dialled Kim’s number. She’d had gangsters that were easier to handle than this police officer. The number rang out until voicemail.
‘I’ll bloody find you,’ she muttered, realising Stone must have gone to the hospital with Bryant. She wouldn’t want to miss any of the action.
She swallowed her anger as she called Bryant’s number. Stone knew she was under strict instructions to stay with Leanne at all times. Her next call was going to be to DCI Woodward. That was a fact.
‘Hello,’ Bryant said breathlessly.
‘Put her on,’ Leanne barked without pleasantries.
Silence. ‘Put who on?’
‘Your bloody hoppo. Don’t mess with me, Bryant. I know she left with you the minute I passed out.’
‘She’s not with me.’