“The 999 call came in five minutes ago,” said Ramouter as Henley turned on the blues and twos. They were only ten minutes from Serena Annan’s home, but they could have been an hour away as the traffic ground to a halt on the A2.
“For fuck’s sake. Move!” Henley shouted as she banged on the horn. “Bloody roadworks. What exactly did they say?”
“That a neighbor called after hearing shouting when she was putting out the rubbish. She then heard banging and more screaming,” said Ramouter, grabbing the door handle as Henley swerved the car.
“I don’t understand any of this.” Henley rode the pavement and broke every road traffic rule as she pulled onto the heath and overtook the black cab in front of her. “Why didn’t Dalisay just leave? The manipulative cow completely set up Serena, but I don’t understand why.”
“But Serena didn’t help herself,” said Ramouter. “She was obstructive every inch of the way, and once we had the evidence...”
“Evidence that Dalisay clearly planted,” said Henley as she focused on maneuvering through the traffic without actually killing anyone. “Ramouter, can you check that backup is on its way?”
Ramouter relayed the information into his radio. “There’s another unit about a minute behind us. If they can get through this bloody traffic.”
Henley increased her speed as a gap materialized, but instantly slowed down again as she spotted a woman, her black hair flowing, running barefooted down the road. The high beams of the truck coming in the opposite direction shone briefly on the woman’s face.
“Ramouter, to your left,” Henley shouted out as she hit the brakes sharply and did a U-turn. “That’s Dalisay.”
“Stop the car,” Ramouter shouted.
“Shit,” Henley said as she did her best to avoid a pileup. She drove a little farther along and stopped in front of the gas station that was 100 meters from the Annans’ home.
“I’ve got her,” Ramouter said. He unbuckled his seat belt, opened the passenger door and jumped out. Henley grabbed hold of her radio as she spotted the flashing lights of the police cars making their way toward them.
“This is DI Henley, DC Ramouter is on Shooters Hill and in pursuit of a five foot three, IC5 female. The suspect is highly dangerous.” Henley watched Ramouter dart across the road in pursuit of Dalisay who had turned away from the traffic and into a residential street. Henley leaned over and pulled the passenger door shut and drove the short distance into the driveway of the Annans’ house. The sound of sirens grew louder as she got out of the car and Ramouter’s voice screeched from the police radio.
“I’ve got her. Stop bloody struggling. The suspect is restrained, I need assistance on Vanbrugh Terrace.”
The front door was wide open and the security light on the front of the house illuminated Henley as she made her way up the stairs.
“Serena,” Henley shouted as she stepped into the hallway. Drops of fresh blood glistened on the freshly varnished floor.
“Serena,” Henley shouted again. She ignored the pain in her ankle and followed the blood up the stairs. The sirens grew louder, and the hallway flashed with blue light as police cars sped into the driveway. As far as Henley was aware, the children were staying with their grandparents. She felt a wave of relief when she saw that the beds were made but the rooms empty. Henley followed the streaks of blood along the white walls.
“Oh my God. Serena.”
Henley dropped to her knees as she spotted her lying in a heap on the small landing of the third floor. Serena was still dressed in the blue tracksuit that had been issued to her in the prison. Her face was covered in raw scratches. Henley looked down and saw that the tracksuit was soaked with blood and that Serena was holding on tightly to the handle of a kitchen knife that had pierced her stomach.
“Please be alive,” Henley said as she put her fingers to Serena’s neck. “Please.” She exhaled as she felt the soft rhythm of Serena’s pulse under her fingers.
“Inspector Henley. It’s DC Duncan. Where are you?”
“We’re up here,” Henley shouted out. “We’re on the top floor. We need an ambulance now.”
She looked down as Serena’s eyes fluttered open.
“Don’t worry,” Henley said, cradling Serena’s head. “I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”