I stood outside the house, staring up at the thick curtains across the windows. Shame. If they hadn't been there, I'd have got a brilliant view of the women. Right as I thought that as if I'd been heard, the slim blonde one, what was her name? Jenna? Appeared at the window. She was wearing trousers and a white shirt. I felt my penis harden immediately. Fuck. She needed a good fucking looking like that. Slag.

"Oi!" My for want of a better word colleague on this mission jabbed me in the shoulder. "You've got to get her first before you can fuck her! Stop peaking!"

"Take a look!" I breathed. "Then you'll get it."

So he did and I was sure he'd felt the same stirring in his pants that I'd just had. He was looking at her like a man possessed. Now it was my turn to poke his shoulder. "Told you!"

I thought with a smile of amusement that they might regret having private hedges hiding their house, because while it stopped people seeing them from the street, it also gave us ample hiding places. One thing I hadn't told my partner in this was about Michael Myers. After what'd happened to Eric, I was sure it was indeed the killer. How we were supposed to get who we wanted I wasn't sure. We'd have to wait until we could corner her somehow. But right now we were just watching them. It was 2AM and we were just checking out their security, habits etc so we could plan.

"She works, doesn't she?" My partner breathed. I've seen her leaving the house a few times."

I nodded. I was sure that was our best option. When she left for work would be our opportunity. My partner reached in to his pocket and handed me a cloth, needle and small glass tube. I knew immediately what it was, what I'd asked for a few days ago.

Chloroform.

"That'll knock her out for several hours," he said, now holding out his hand. I passed him the agreed amount of cash for it. A heavy sum, but worth every penny. "I'd gag her with that cloth and she'll inhale it, or inject her with it. Decide at the time I would if I were you."

I nodded. I had other drugs I could use if necessary. I was going to knock her out to take her to our location and maybe fuck her as well. Again, my penis stirred.

"When are we going to do this?"

"Tomorrow," I said. "It's time."

Jenna stirred with her alarm clock, stifling a groan. It was time for work. Life had to go on, no matter what. Craig leant close and gently kissed her.

"I'll be fine," he said as if reading her mind. "Go to work babe and don't worry about me. I'll call you if I need help, I promise."

"You'd better," she mock glared at him, but didn't smile. He kissed her again and nodded.

Today Jenna took the bus. Jade had already left and said she'd needed the car. A huge event had come in to their company and she was going to be working late tonight. Dad and Michael were also out. Craig had tried to persuade Dad to go back home, but he'd point blank refused. The Lawson's had left yesterday to return to work, but told Craig they were only a call away. At about 20 to 9, Jenna reached the salon and prepared for yet another day.

At first when the 2 police cars drew up outside Stanton Events, I didn't think anything of it. We were in a busy street and it was possible they were just using us as somewhere to park. But when they walked in, the woman behind the desk looked up with eager interest. I was focusing on a long Email so didn't. That was until a hand fell on my shoulder.

"Jade Myers?"

I glanced up and saw that the hand on my shoulder belonged to one of the police officers. "Yes?" I asked.

"Please may we have a word? We need to ask you a few questions?"

I felt something stir inside me. I was suddenly sure this had something to do with Michael. Why I thought that I wasn't sure, but I just suddenly knew it. Keeping my face deliberately blank I stood up. My boss cast me an anxious look and I knew what he was thinking.

"I won't be long," I said, hoping that was true. Not only did I have a lot of work to do before an event tonight, but I also hoped I wasn't getting involved in something I really didn't want to be.

We entered one of the private offices and one of the officers, (there were 2 of them) closed the door and they both took seats opposite me before turning to face me.

"Mrs. Myers, we need to talk to you about Daniel Burgess. The murder I'm sure you'll have seen on the news which happened yesterday."

I nodded, feeling a shiver run down my spine. What could they possibly want from me re this? "Ok," I said, sounding as surprised as I felt.

"A witness called us and gave your registration number, placing your car right in front of Mr. Burgess and his murderer just as it happened. We need to know what you saw."

I felt myself inwardly relax. At least they weren't asking me what I feared. Was it your husband? That said, they didn't even know who my husband was and without his mask Michael wasn't recognised. Hadn't been for a long time. "I saw him get stabbed to the stomach," I said, trying not to relive it. It was still so vivid, so clear, so horrible.

"Did you see his killer?"

"Not much," I said. Now I could really tell the truth. Well part of it anyway. "Just a blank pale mask, a really tall guy and a damn massive carving knife."

"Clothing?"

I shook my head. That I honestly hadn't seen. I couldn't even begin to imagine their reaction if I said oh yeah, I know who it was and he made love to me hours later. I'd end up cuffed and under arrest of course. No way was I going to let that happen. That would be ironic. Not Michael captured, me.

"Did you know Mr. Burgess?"

"No."

"Have you seen the killer before?"

"No," I lied. Or maybe it was the truth. I had seen Michael of course, more than they'd ever know. But not out killing, that was true at least.

"Other witnesses have told us what you have. A blank mask and huge knife. Is there anymore information you can give us as you were right in front of them?"

Oh there was information alright. I could have their reward money in my account within an hour if I wanted to and I knew that. But it wasn't going to happen. My heart was worth infinity times more than that, as was the killer within it.

Jenna sighed. It was only 12 midday and already she was fed up. Ever client she'd had so far today seemed to be in bad moods. Stressed about upcoming meetings and wanted their hair to look perfect, promotions, dates, you name it. Everyone wanted to look just right for whatever they were trying to accomplish. Jenna had almost been made to feel like it would be her fault if they didn't get what they were aiming for due to their looks. Stupid, she knew but that was how it felt.

Sitting down in the staff room at the back, she pulled out her lunch. At least she'd made her favourite sandwich, cheese and ham on white bread, cheese and onion crisps and her favourite chocolate bar, galaxy. To drink, a banana milkshake. She'd been looking forward to it all morning and it'd only gotten worse as it progressed.

"Hey Jenna," said a voice. Jenna looked up and felt her heart sink. Harriet.

"Hi," she said, biting in to her thick sandwich.

"Fucking awful morning," Harriet said. For once, Jenna agreed with her.

"It'll probably get worse," Jenna said bitterly. "Everyone wants to look great lately it seems and if they don't it's our fault."

For the first time ever, Harriet actually laughed. Maybe she wasn't as bad or nasty as Jenna had first thought. She opened her own lunch box. Egg and bacon sandwich and a pasta salad.

"That looks nice," Jenna said. They were the only 2 in the room right then.

"I haven't tried this pasta before," Harriet said. "I saw it in the shop last night. Thought I'd try it."

"What is it?"

"Chicken, bacon and sweetcorn."

"Yum," Jenna smiled.

"Ham and cheese again?" Harriet actually grinned now and for the first time Jenna felt guilty for what she'd said about her, even though she hadn't heard it. Maybe she'd been unfair towards her.

"Of course," Jenna smiled back. "How are you feeling today?" Harriet had been off sick a lot the last couple of weeks, another thing Jenna had unfairly judged, she realised now.

"Getting there thanks," Harriet looked surprised Jenna had asked, which only made Jenna feel worse. "Just been diagnosed with depression last month."

"I'm sorry," Jenna said quietly. It wasn't a condition she knew a lot about, but she thought she could understand it now after everything they'd been through lately.

"How's your husband?" Harriet asked and Jenna looked up at her. "One of my client's mentioned what'd happened. Not sure how they found out. I'm sorry Jenna."

"Thanks," Jenna said, truly meaning it.

"How are you getting on?"

"Ah," Jenna shrugged. "You know. "But he's getting better thank you."

"Glad to hear it. Give him my best?"

Jenna was now feeling terrible for what she'd said to her father about Harriet. Way too harsh. "I will, thank you."

There was silence for a few moments then as the 2 women tucked in to their food. Maybe Jenna had actually found another friend. A few minutes later, several of their colleagues entered. Harriet and Jenna didn't talk further, but Harriet did smile at Jenna as she left the room.

"You're sure you didn't know Daniel Burgess at all? Are you sure about that?"

Officer Parks pressed me again. They'd been asking me questions for about an hour now. We were going round in circles and getting nowhere. No way was I telling them the entire truth. No way in hell.

"I've never met him," I said. "The only time I saw him was just before he got killed."

"Can you give me the description of the killer again?"

"All I saw was tall, masked and holding a huge knife. That's it. He grabbed Burgess and stabbed him through the stomach."

"But you didn't stop?"

"What could I have done? There was a lot of people around him and from that wound he probably would've died in seconds. There was nothing I could do."

"Where were you going when this happened?"

I tried not to sigh. I'd told them this three times now. "I was going to the hospital to see my brother in law. As you know, he was stabbed to the neck." By the man you guys should be out looking for instead of grilling me, I thought. About something I only saw through a car window. Some little irrelevant things… The killer is my husband, but of course you don't need to know that.

"Have you seen the killer before?"

Asking me this again? Really? I stuck to my version of the truth. "No."

"Could it have been the same man who stabbed Mr. Ellis?"

"Possibly," I said, grasping on to this. If they were going to go down this road, it would take their attention away from Michael and me. I'd encourage it in every way I could. "But like I said he was behind a mask so I don't know." Richard Taylor was a tall man and had stabbed Craig with a knife, so it was plausible. Not for the first time, I wished Michael owned a phone. Ok he wouldn't speak, but I could text him at least. I needed him so badly right now.

After what seemed like another hour at least, the police finally released me. I saw my boss glaring at the police officers as I went back to my desk. I didn't blame him, but I wanted to glare at them for a totally different reason. They'd almost treated me like a criminal, as if I was the one who'd killed Burgess. I was annoyed by this time. Angry, even. I remembered Michael's words. I think the police will be able to tell you're not a killer. Now, I wasn't so sure. They clearly thought I was. But I'd been in the car the whole time, so that didn't make sense. I had witnesses for that. So perhaps they didn't think I'd killed him, but I knew who the killer was. But why? There was nothing linking me to Burgess. I shook my head in disgust, thinking they should be out looking for the real criminals, like Richard Taylor, rather than wasting their time with me. Settling back at my desk, I looked back at my screen and restarted work.

Jenna was mightily relieved when her day came to an end at 5PM. She was exhausted. The pressure of trying to get her client's hair exactly right had started to tell. Not to mention how stressed they all seemed. To her surprise but gratitude, Harriet was waiting for her as she walked towards the door. "Jenna?"

Jenna looked back at her colleague. "Yeah?"

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry if I came across as nasty to you sometimes. I've got a lot of issues going on at home right now. I never meant to treat you like that. Mum's ill and I'm trying to earn money to help care for her."

Now Jenna really did feel bad for everything she'd said behind this girl's back.

"It's ok," she smiled. "I hadn't really noticed." This was a lie, but no way would she tell her the truth.

"Come on," Harriet scoffed. "I know you have. Everyone has. I'm the bitch of the salon you know. If you think I didn't notice you're really gullible."

Jenna smiled slightly. "Ok, but you had reasons and as far as I'm concerned, it's fine." Jenna stepped forward and hugged her colleague. How old was she? Not much older than Jenna, that was for sure. Harriet smiled at her as she gently broke away and handed Jenna a piece of paper. Jenna smiled as she noticed it had Harriet's number on it. Pulling out her phone, she copied it in.

"Thanks," she smiled at her, sending her a text so Harriet had hers. "Maybe meet for a coffee soon?"

"I'd love that," Harriet nodded, smiling back at her. Now it was Jenna who felt like a complete bitch.

They crossed the streets heading back towards the bus stop. Though it was still light, the streets appeared deserted. Possibly everyone was at home keeping warm. It was bitterly cold today Jenna had noticed. Just as they reached the deserted bus stop, she felt the hand on her shoulder. Before she could even turn, a cloth was forced over her mouth. She couldn't even scream. At the same time she felt the sting of a needle to her right arm, before her world went black.

Finally, my hour lunch break arrived, all be it at 7PM. I was starving. But I knew I had hours to go yet. I left the office, heading fast to my car and our house. I just hoped Michael would be there. He was. I smiled as I entered, hearing him approaching the door. Seconds later, he'd gently pulled me in to his arms and kissed me, before leading me in to the living room and briefly leaving again. He appeared a moment later with a steaming cup of tea made just as I loved it, and my favourite meal of carbonara pasta.

"Thank you so much darling," I slumped back in to the sofa as he sat beside me with his coffee and gently pulled me back close to him. "Jesus," I sighed. "What a day and it's not even over yet by a long shot." Michael kissed me again, then pulled out his digital notepad.

Why? What's wrong?

"It's just really stressful," I shrugged. "This event's going to take a while. It's a couple getting married in the morning early and we have to make sure everything's perfect of course. It's what they're paying us for after all and a shit load of money to boot." I debated telling him the whole truth, but I knew I had to. To lie would be unforgivable again as far as I was concerned. But I only had about half an hour, so I'd have to shorten it. I ate some of my pasta to give myself time to think.

"But that's not all. The damn police came in to my office earlier and questioned me about Burgess." He raised an eyebrow at me.

"A witness called in my registration as being right in front of him when he died. What had I seen? Did I know him? Did I know his killer?" I rolled my eyes. "I said all I could say was he was tall, masked and had a huge carving knife. After all, that was all we witnesses could and would see."

Did you know him?

"Burgess? No. I met him just before he died. As in seconds. You know you said I think the police will be able to tell you're not a killer? I'm not so sure after today darling. I felt like a damn criminal. Then they asked if it could've been the same guy who stabbed Craig. Why are they wasting their time on me? They've got Richard Taylor to track down."

Michael kissed me again as I rested my head on his shoulder. "I'm really sorry to go back to this," I said quietly. "Considering we've discussed it so many times, but I really wish you'd consider getting a phone. Just so I can text you at the least. I really needed you after the police left and if you hadn't been here, I wouldn't have had a clue where to find you. Only the family would have your number. All that aside, I love you Michael and want to be able to tell you as much when we're not together."

Softly, he sighed.

Damn you Jade. Alright.

"Seriously?" I felt my heart leap with love, gratitude and thanks.

Seriously. He sighed again and kissed me. Pick me one up when you can in the week.

"Thanks Michael," I kissed him again. "This means a lot to me. I love you so much."

I love you too Jade. Even if you are insufferable at times.

"Oi!" I gave him a gentle slap to the arm. "So are you, Mr. Myers! Sometimes you can be one hell of a killer!"

He rolled his eyes as I started to laugh. I couldn't help it. The release of tension was needed. Michael gently pulled me back to him and I was certain there was a slight smile on his lips, before he silenced my laughter with another kiss.

Before long, it was time for me to head back to work. I was just putting on my jacket, when I heard the click of the letterbox. Reaching down, I picked up the single piece of paper which had just been pushed through the door. Not even in an envelope. I raised an eyebrow as I opened it and in a second, my whole world stopped turning.

JADE. WE HAVE YOUR PRETEND SISTER. YOU WANT HER BACK, COME BACK TO YOUR REAL MOTHER. SHE IS UNHARMED AS YET. BUT THAT MAY CHANGE IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW OUR INSTRUCTIONS. DO AS YOUR MOTHER SAID AND COME BACK TO HER, LIKE A GOOD DAUGHTER SHOULD. SHE MAY HAVE LEFT BUT SHE'S BACK NOW AND IT'S YOUR DUTY TO GO BACK TO HER AND OBEY HER WISHES. BESIDES THIS, WE KNOW YOU ALL HAVE MONEY, SO £50000 SHOULD SECURE HER SAFE RELEASE. PERHAPS. BUT BEFORE MONEY CAN EVEN BE DISCUSSED, YOU HAVE TO DO YOUR PART FIRST. CALL THIS NUMBER AND WE WILL TALK. HURRY THOUGH, THE CLOCK IS TICKING. YOU HAVE 24 HOURS, STARTING FROM NOW.

Michael took the letter and read it, seeing my face turn white.

"Pretend sister?" I could hardly speak. "What the fuck?"

Michael drew me back to the chair, just as Craig came running down the stairs in a t-shirt and jeans. He looked just as white as me and was holding up his phone. With horror and disgust, I realised whoever had done this had text Craig too. Bastards.

"Craig," I started. Michael held out his arm, gently pulling Craig to us. He raised his notepad.

Ok. Try to calm down Jade, Craig. We need to think this through before we do anything.

"Fucking Richard Taylor!" Craig snarled. "Who else could it be?"

"My real mother?" I scoffed, so angry I could hardly speak. "Fucking bitch!"

"I've called the Lawson's," Craig said and I saw with a jolt of pain there were tears in his eyes. Craig was not too proud to cry when he was hurting. Michael's arm tightened around him. "They're on their way, as are Mum and Dad." He turned and looked at Michael. "Do you think it's genuine? I mean, could they be saying this just to get Jade and the rest of us to co-operate?"

That's a risk we can't take.

We both noticed the "we" in Michael's message and smiled at him through our tears.

"Fucking cowards!" I snarled. "They've done it while she was at work to avoid you Michael. I'm sure of it. God damn fucking cowards!"

Craig nodded. "I think you're right sis. I told you all this guy doesn't mess around. I think he's doing this to get back at both you and I. He believes I owe him debts from years ago!"

"Drugs?" I asked quietly, gently. I'd never talked to Craig about his past before, not once.

"Drugs, firearms, trafficking prostitutes," Craig smiled bitterly. "If it was illegal, Taylor was involved in it. He had me as his carrier boy. I didn't just carry drugs, also guns, women, you name it."

"You do know none of that matters to me, right?" I hugged him tightly to me. "You turned your life around years ago, it's him with the grudge, a very old grudge at that. I love you Craig, no matter what you may have done. None of this is your fault. None! Richard is the one behind this, because he can't let things go, and from my perspective my cruel mother wants "what's hers" as Eric so kindly put it!"

"Thanks babe," Craig hugged me so tightly it hurt, before he kissed my cheek repeatedly. Again, Michael raised his notepad.

Well said Jade.

"See?" I squeezed Craig again, as he smiled at Michael. "Thanks man," he took a deep breath. "Jade, you're not going to like this, but please just hear me out? Go back to work. You're needed and your damn good at your job…" I made to interrupt, but he raised his hand. "Please babe, just hear me out. They need you and you're damn good at your job. The Lawson's, Mum and Dad are on their way, as is Nick. He's got Emma and Nathan safely up to Emma's parents. They're safely out of the way. We'll deal with this. Jen wouldn't want you not to go back. She'd want you to carry on."

"Are you fucking serious?" I stared at him as if he'd just grown an extra head. Again, Michael raised his pad, but to me this time.

Craig's right Jade.

"No way!" I stared at them. "How the fuck am I supposed to just walk back in to my office as if nothing has happened and…" My phone ringing stopped me. It was my boss's number.

"Fuck! Shit!" I wanted to throw my phone across the room.

"See?" Craig said gently, as both men held me tightly. "Go. They need you; Jenna needs you to carry on. I absolutely promise you any news what so ever good or bad, I'll call you. You have my absolute promise."

Michael gently kissed me again. Once, twice.

"I love you both so much," I could hardly speak again. "This is all my f…"

"Shut the fuck up!" Craig almost shouted at me. A first. He'd never done so before. "Don't you dare even think it never mind say it! This is not your fault anymore than it's mine! They're criminals and evil bastards! A so-called mother who leaves and then decides she wants "what's hers" back, bitch, and a criminal who can't let debts go even over decades! I don't technically owe him anything, he's just being a son of a bitch! So don't you dare start blaming yourself Jade Myers, or you and I will have some serious words! Understand?"

Well said Craig.

I saw Michael's message and took a deep breath. I knew he was right, but it didn't help how I felt. My boss rang again and I almost screamed. Craig gently took the phone from my hand and answered it.

"Mr. Stanton, this is Craig Ellis, Jade's brother in law… Yes, I'm getting better thanks… Jade will be back, I just needed her help for a minute. She's just about to leave."

I again made to object, but Michael silenced me this time with a soft and gentle kiss. Craig continued.

"Yes Sir… Thank you for your understanding… She'll be about 10 to 20 minutes… Yes Sir. Thank you, I'm making my recovery and I thank you for your concern. Yes. Bye."

He turned to me, handing me back my phone. "Right," he said without preamble. Get out of here Jade, you're needed. By your boss, company, but of course us! We need you Jade. We need you to do this for us. Be strong, carry on and we will contact you with the slightest news, I promise. We love you J, Jenna loves you and I know she would want you to do this too. I know it's hard, believe me. But there's going to be 9 of us when the others get here, we've got this under control."

Gently, he pulled the letter from my hand and read it, total anger, disgust and hatred crossing his face. "Just you wait you sons of bitches," he breathed. "I'll call that God damn number alright! Only reason they've done it this way is because they're scared of Michael! Ha! Just you fucking wait!"

Michael nodded.

Eventually, Craig and Michael walked me out to my car, still holding me. Craig said that during the phone call Jade's boss had told him to call me immediately if he needed me. So even though they hadn't told him the truth, he was on our side. Josh Stanton was a good man, not just at business. Michael softly kissed my mouth, Craig my cheek. I desperately had to hold back the tears or I wouldn't be able to drive. Seconds later, Michael lifted me up in his arms and in to the passenger seat. Before I could even try to argue, he was driving me back to work. It felt like years ago I'd ensured him, so much had changed. But I was never more grateful I had than I was right now.

Before I got out, he raised his pad one more time.

Call us when you're done, I'll come and pick you up. I love you, Jade.

"I love you too darling," I just managed to say. "So, so much!"

He gave me a soft, lingering kiss, before I got out and headed back through the glass doors of Stanton Events Inc. I looked back and managed a tiny smile, as Michael beeped the horn at me. I waved, then headed inside. I knew Craig was right. Jenna would want me to carry on, be strong, but it wasn't going to be easy.

I sat at my desk, took another deep breath and opened the Email I'd be working on. If I could have one wish right then, it would be to go back to before my break and stop my life from once again spiralling out of control.