DISCLAIMER: I don't own Scott & Bailey.
Authors Note: Me again :) Thank you so very, very much for all the reviews and to everyone who is following this story. It really means a lot to me! So... here we are again. Tension is running high, and the end is nigh. Oh dear, that rhymes. But still, I think I have a good ending up my sleeve ;) Next update won't be too far away. Please review and let me know your thoughts? Constructive criticism always helps. Enjoy :)
"Mum!"
Voices echoed in the cool autumn air, distant and muffled.
"Mum!"
Janet slowly opened her eyes, trying to remember what on earth had happened. Blood was rushing to her head, a strain holding her to her seat. Of course. She coughed, trying to reach for her phone, but her arm would not move. Damn. Turning her head she found rushing water flowing in through the broken car window, shallow but cold. It was calming in a way, a break from the day's chaos and troubles. The car was upside down on the bank of the river; battered and bruised. Janet tried to move from where she was hanging in mid-air, the seat belt wrapped around her arm, but she couldn't.
"Mum!" the voice called again. Janet tried to call back, but her voice stuck in her throat and all that came out was a stifled cry. Pain shot through her as she felt a hand on her arm, trying to free her from the wreckage. The water was rising higher. Janet began to panic.
"Stay still!" a low voice spoke, calm and yet menacing, as they pulled on her arm, pain flaming around her shoulder. With trembling fingers, Janet tried to unclip the seatbelt that was keeping her in place.
CLICK!
Janet tumbled forward out of her seat, and two pairs of arms quickly twisted her body. A hand fumbled around her back and began to pull. In one swift movement, she was yanked out of her car and dragged up the bank.
"Thank you" Janet managed to breathe, clutching her rib cage. Every breath she drew felt like fire; flames dancing around her lungs. She looked up to see who her rescuer was, and wished that she hadn't.
"Get in the van, Janet".
She shook her head. She wasn't going to go anywhere with him if she could help it. He drew out a gun, "I said get in the van, or I'll shoot your children!"
Children? Janet looked to where he was pointing and saw two small faces peering out of the window, staring at her through frightened eyes... Taisie and Elise. She felt sick. Janet tried to stand up, "Let them go".
He laughed, and dragged her to her feet, "I don't think so".
.o.0.o.
"Come on Janet. Pick up. Pick up please?" Rachel spoke to herself, having dialled Janet's number for the fifth time. She hated this - the sickening clenching of her stomach whenever she felt anything terrible had happened. Something wasn't right.
'Your call has been forwarded-'
"Argh! She's not picking up!" Rachel cried, throwing her phone back into her bag. If Andy had even laid a hand on her friend, or heaven forbid Taisie and Elise, she swore that she would kill him. She'd punch his smirking face and wring his scrawny neck! Gill glanced at her from behind the wheel, "Killing him isn't the answer, kid".
"What are you? A telepath?" Rachel rounded, her face contorted in anger and disbelief. Gill sighed, "Killing him is not going to help anyone. You kill him, you go to jail. Simple as".
Of course, Godzilla was right. As usual.
.o.0.o.
Janet slumped against the car door as he held her phone in his hand. What mess had she gotten herself into?
"We won't be needing this, will we?" he sneered, chucking the phone into the river behind them. Janet stared at him. This wasn't the Andy she knew. This wasn't him.
"Andy-"
He stepped forward, placing a hand on her dislocated shoulder and holding the gun to her head. Pulling her away from the car, he gripped her by her coat, "I suggest you get in the car, Janet".
.o.0.o.
DCI Murray paced up and down in her office, sheets of paper scattered in all directions as she waited for DCI Dodson to pick up her damn phone. Rachel leant against the desk, nervously biting her nails. If she couldn't kill Andy, she would sure as heck find other ways of making his life as miserable as possible.
DCI Murray spoke as soon as she heard the familiar crackle of connection, "Julie, it's Gill".
DCI Dodson frowned - Gill never called her by her first name.
"What's the matter?" Julie asked, trying to keep her tone as professional as she could, "Are you okay?"
Julie could hear the panic in her friend's voice. Gill never panicked.
"It's Janet" Gill replied after taking a deep breath, "We think Andy's gone after her, and she's not picking up her phone. I need you to bring your team in. I can't do this one on my own".
Julie nodded, "Give me half an hour".