Heart pounding in her chest, hand throbbing from the deep cut, Gardner put a gloved hand on the top of Cecile’s Lexus, coughing.
Cecile?
She turned a full circle again, observing the rows of terraces.
Anywhere! She could be bloody anywhere!
She hoisted her phone out and looked down at the picture sent by Cecile several days back of Riddick, sitting on a wall outside a house that looked very similar to many of these others.
Coughing again, she backed away from the car, knowing that she’d have to call it in.
What choice do I have? I can’t wander these streets, hoping that this terraced house will just jump out at me.
Never going to happen.
After calling it in, she leaned on the car again, feeling sick to the stomach over what she’d set in motion.
Have I cost Cecile her life?
If she had, there was no coming back from it. She’d demand punishment. With Collette, they’d waved away her cries to be held responsible. This was different. There was no way they could overlook this.
No. She’d pay. She’d have to.
Blinking back tears, she saw a small huddle of people in the distance heading her way. She cleared her vision with her sleeve as they came closer. They were moving at great speed.
She pushed herself back from the car, eyes widening.
No. Her eyes were surely playing tricks on her. It can’t be.
She moved to meet the group as they came nearer, unbelieving of what she was seeing.
‘Cecile?’
‘Yes,’ Cecile replied, her voice weak and strained, yet filled with relief.
‘God… Cecile… thank God. Thank God.’ The words tumbled out of her mouth as she darted in and embraced her pale, dishevelled friend. She could feel Cecile trembling in her arms, her body fragile and exhausted. ‘What’s happened? You look awful—’ She broke off to cough, turning her head to one side, her lungs still raw from the smoke.
‘So do you,’ Cecile said.
‘I was caught in a fire. Who are these?’ She looked over at the four children, who clung to each other, their eyes wide with fear and confusion.
She looked back at Cecile, who was choking back tears. ‘What’s happened? Talk to me,’ Gardner urged, her brows furrowed with concern.
‘I’m sorry, Emma…’ Cecile’s lips quivered.
‘Sorry for what? What’s happened?’ Gardner’s voice grew more insistent.
‘You need an ambulance. You need an ambulance now. It’s Paul.’ Cecile’s words came out in a rush.
Gardner took a deep breath, her jaw clenching as she fought to maintain her composure. ‘What’s happened to him? What’s he done?’
‘I’m sorry, Emma.’ Cecile’s voice cracked.
‘What’s the house number?’
‘Emma—’ Cecile began, but Gardner cut her off.
‘Cecile!’ Gardner’s voice rang out, sharp and commanding.
Cecile gave the house number, her hand shaking as she pointed at the children behind her. ‘He got these out. He got me out. But Emma…’
Gardner thrust her phone into Cecile’s hands, shouting the passcode as she did so. ‘Call the ambulance.’
Then, without waiting for a response, Gardner turned and ran, her heart pounding in her chest, her mind racing with the possibilities of what she might find. Her feet pounded against the pavement, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps as she pushed her damaged lungs to the limit, desperate to reach Riddick.