Author's Note:- Rated for sexual content in later chapters and adult themes. Episode based "Breaking Glass" S3 EPs 5/6. Not mine and never will be.

Nothing but the best Chapter 36

"DSI Boyd?" A young uniformed officer asked as Spence pulled the car up beside a squad car and Boyd jumped out before the engine had even stopped.

"Yes what's happening have you been down to the cottage?"

"No we've been monitoring it PC Williams has binoculars and we have seen movement inside but your colleague told us not to go near unless we felt we had no option. I'm DC Rodgers we have paramedics on standby and forensics, your colleague said you were bringing your own forensic scientist but she would need tech support."

"Yeah that's all great, what do you know about this place were you able to get in touch with the letting agent?" Boyd asked taking the binoculars off the other officer and looking through them.

"Yes sir Ms Osmond wasn't all that cooperative but she confirmed that the cottage is owned by Professor McKenzie. She also said it's basically without connectivity, it has no landline or internet and as I'm sure you've realised the closer you got to here it's basically a mobile black spot. She wanted to come out here but we told her we would have the place locked down."

"So there's no way she can warn him?" Mel asked introducing herself to the other officers.

"No Ma'am and we've left another unit watching her home in case she did decide to try to come down here."

"What can you see?" Spence asked standing beside Boyd as he continued to look at the cottage.

"The lights are on and there's smoke from the chimney. I can't see any movement but it's clear they're there. Rodgers how many ways in and out of the area are there?"

"Just the one road from here down to the cottage, on foot there are more options but in the dark it would be hard to get over the dunes, only an idiot or a madman would try it."

"We've bad news for you; a madman is exactly what we're dealing with." Frankie sighed as Boyd turned to the officer who had the binoculars before him.

"Have you been able to identify who is there, have you seen actual people?"

"One male and one female but that was when we first got here since then I've only seen the male. He's been carrying two dinner plates and wine and stuff so I assume the female is sitting at a table somewhere out of our eye line."

"When did you last see him?"

"About 10 minutes ago with what looked like pudding bowls and another bottle of wine."

"Bastard is treating it like a fucking date." Spence snapped looking at Boyd desperate to move. "Boyd come on we can't just stand here if he's already onto dessert we know what he's planning next!"

"I know." Boyd agreed staring at the cottage for a moment before nodding. "Right we need to get down there but we need to do it quietly. Frankie are you coming or do you want to wait to brief your tech guys?"

"Of course I'm coming what use will you three be if she needs medical attention?"

"Ok well Williams and Rodgers can brief the guys when they get here then follow us. Mel, Spence when we get down there you take the back of the house me and Frankie will take the front. We need to cover the entire perimeter. Not a sound until we have to, the second we know where Grace is and that we can get to her well go in even if we have to break the door down. Let's go."

Leading them down the narrow driveway keeping in the shadows as much as possible Boyd squinted as his eyes adjusted to the restricted light around the cottage. It was perfect for them but a handicap at the same time and he felt like his heart was going to beat out of his chest. Someone had actually seen Grace less than an hour ago she was alive and moving in the house. With everything he had he wanted to see her himself but as he looked through the binoculars he'd seen nothing but the empty room. Now all he could do was hope and pray they weren't going to be too late. Standing at the edge of the wall he pointed in two different directions watching as Mel and Spence went one way and then heading the other way with Frankie behind him. The windows at the front of the building were heavily shuttered as he crept along the wall reaching the side of the first one he leaned as close as he could his heart sinking when all he could see was the fireplace, sofas and doors to other parts of the cottage. There was no sign of a table or kitchen where only food could be prepared and more importantly no sign of Grace. Waving to Frankie he crouched down moving along to the next window he took a quiet deep breath before repeating his last action his blood running cold at the scene playing out in front of him.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Enough niceties Grace." Alan said firmly gripping her wrist and pulling her to her feet as Grace tried to get free of his grasp. Fighting against him as he tried to push the robe off her shoulders and she finally broke free taking a step back.

"Alan if you think I'm not going to fight you then you clearly don't know anything about me at all. I may have to accept that you've decided what you want to do but I don't have to passively let you do it. When Boyd does find this place even if it's too late for me I'll make sure he knows exactly how hard I fought." Grace snapped knowing now she had to do everything she could to keep him at bay for as long as possible.

"And what good to you think fighting will do you I think I've established I have no problem hurting you if I have to and if you're unconscious you'll have no control at all over what I do to you." Alan replied closing the gap again grabbing the shoulder of the robe trying to pull her aggressively against him as he kissed her his arm snaking around her waist holding her in place as he did. "Bitch!" He shouted as she bit hard on his bottom lip and he pushed her backward causing her to catch her heel on the rug in front of the fire. As she fell backward she felt like everything was happening in slow motion. Her head connected with the stone corner of the fireplace. In a split second Alan launched at her his hands around her throat. The door crashed open and the sound of Boyd's voice. She fought to stay with them to let him know she knew he was there but the pain in her head and the pressure on her throat made it impossible as the room blackened around her.