Ruby is hiding when Kitto runs out of Maeve Trenwith’s house, followed by his guard. The older man is slower, already struggling to keep up. Her father’s blood pulses in her veins as she gives chase, and Kitto’s torch beam is easy to follow. She keeps pace with him until she meets an obstacle. The dog has doubled back to find her. It blocks her path, its muzzle gaping in an ugly snarl. She backs away, but it jumps up at her face, jaws snapping. When she pulls out her knife, the blade slices deep into its flesh. The creature yelps as a spurt of blood soaks her sleeve.
‘That’ll shut you up,’ she hisses as it limps away.
There’s no need to chase the dog through the bracken – such a deep wound will soon kill it – but the encounter has left her shaken. Kitto is further ahead now, and she’s lost track of his sidekick. She’ll have to run fast to overtake them, and the wind is picking up from the sea, blowing hard in her face. Her father’s voice whispers in her ears, still calling for revenge, which gives her an idea. Kitto’s instinct to protect could be his downfall.
She lets out a wild scream, and the effect is instant. The cop’s torch beam wavers in the distance. When she cries out again, the streak of light arcs back to find her, shining brighter through the trees.