Ruby is with Joe in her room, sitting on the bed, his fingers laced through hers. His presence gives her pleasure, but it’s her father she remembers. He deserves to be honoured. Once Ben Kitto and his girlfriend are dead, Ruby will spend the rest of her life on the run. Joe will have to die if he lets her down, even though he’s shown so much kindness. It’s time to finish what she started.
‘I can’t stop thinking about you,’ he whispers.
‘Me too. I never expected to feel like this.’
‘Why not?’
She shrugs. ‘Maybe I don’t deserve it.’
He ruffles her hair. ‘You need more self-esteem.’
‘I’m not safe here, Joe, that’s the problem. My ex has reached Bryher; he must have paid someone to bring him over. I saw him hiding in the dunes.’
‘Why didn’t you say before?’
‘What’s the point? I can’t call the police. If he found out, he’d hurt me even more.’
‘He won’t get anywhere near you while I’m around. The police can help us.’
‘It’s too late for that.’
‘Why?’
‘I have to get away.’
‘It’s safer to go at first light.’
‘My dad needs me now. You promised, Joe.’ Her gaze settles on his face, preventing him from looking away.
‘I’d never break my word, Chloe. We’ll go together, whatever happens.’
She showers kisses on his face, then asks him to wait for her in his boat. Her heart pounds with relief when he finally leaves.
Ruby slips on her jacket with the knife concealed inside, then skirts round the side of the pub, counting windows to locate Kitto’s room. There’s no point in using the stairs. She’s memorised the building’s layout, but none of the access points on the ground floor would work. His guard will spot her, and he must be armed. Her only chance is to shin up the drainpipe, then jemmy the locked window. She’s about to start climbing when the fire escape flies open, forcing her to duck behind a wall as Kitto marches out with his guard behind. She hears him say that he needs to see someone named Maeve. The dog is with them, releasing its high-pitched whine.
‘Vicious mongrel,’ she whispers under her breath.
Fate has delivered another lucky break, but the dog could slow her down. She’ll have to kill it before Kitto’s name can be wiped from her father’s list.