**For authors notes, disclaimer etc see chapter 1**
Seven Days and Counting 7
"That was a complete waste of time!" Jack said loudly as he and Gerry entered the office again finding Brian looking closely at the pet shop receipt.
"Yeah I think this guy is just messing with us and we're getting nowhere. We're no closer to finding him now that we were when she first disappeared." Gerry added throwing the exhibit guide book on the table angrily. "Brian; tell us you've got something please."
"Well the guy bought dog food, a bag of some special brand for older dogs." Brian began lifting the guide book and flicking through it "They have no CCTV but he was served by the young girl that does mornings she's away at a family wedding or something but she'll be there in the morning and we can talk to her."
"Great another dead end or it probably will be anyway." Jack sighed handing Gerry a cup of coffee as they watched Brian examine the guide book. "We've been over that a dozen times Brian and we went round the exhibition itself almost as many times there's nothing there."
"Yeah you said." Brian replied his tone distracted as Gerry and Jack exchanged frustrated glances then jumped as he slammed his hand on the desk, "Douglas Morson! There's a whole section in here on Douglas Morson. Oh my god the dog food we've been idiots!"
"Brian are you going to tell us what the hell you're talking about?" Gerry snapped as his friend dropped the book on the desk and grabbed the phone waiting as someone answered on the other end.
"I need all the files on a case closed by UCOS earlier this year." He said excitedly and the other two men stared at him. "Yes the file on the James Farlow case and it's urgent, really urgent."
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He's back I can hear the key in the lock again and my stomach tightens as he opens the door and I see the phone in his hand.
"We're going to give your boys a little call, let them know I'm keeping to my side of the bargain but I'm going to tell you what to say and if you tell them anything else the deal's off understood?"
He's going to let me speak to them? I know he has some ulterior motive probably to torture them and me by giving us that brief contact then snapping it away again but at least I'll get to hear their voices and if I can think of some way to tell them what they need to know without him realising maybe they can get somewhere. It's a risk I know but taking risks were this situation is concerned has started to become second nature.
"Ok I understand." He was staring at me obviously expecting a response and now he seems satisfied.
"You tell them you're ok, you tell them you're waiting for them to find you and you can even tell them to hurry up if you like but other than that you say nothing. If they ask you a question you don't answer it without the nod from me and if I even get a hint you are trying to give them any information about who I am I'll end the call and make you regret it is that clear?"
I've nodded again and he's dialling the number and putting it on speakerphone on the bed between us as I listen to it ring and say a silent prayer they are in the office.
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"Brian are you going to tell us what the hell you've come up with?" Jack asked as Brian hung the phone up and it rang again immediately. Lifting it the others watched as the colour drained from his face and he hit the button putting the phone on speaker as Sandra's voice filled the room and all three of them stared at the phone.
"I don't want you to worry I'm fine." She said quietly as Jack rooted around in the drawer for his tape recorded and put it on the table beside the phone. "I know you're going to find me I have complete faith in you, I miss you all."
"Sandra where are you? Help us!" Gerry replied his voice shaking as the effect of hearing her voice and not being able to hold her and tell her everything would be ok took hold, then sighing as the silence he was greeted with told him that whoever was doing this to her, to them, could hear every word they were saying.
"You need to get back here Sandra you remember Jacks liking for beef tea?" Brian added shaking his head and holding his hand up to silence the others as they looked at him in confusion.
"Yeah of course I do," Sandra replied "It's bad for his health personally I'd pour the whole lot down the sink."
"I thought you'd say that so you think I'm right then, it's important not to let him drink anymore based on past experiences."
"I definitely think you're right, I know you're right." Sandra replied "Just find me guys please."
As the phone went dead Brian smiled triumphantly punching the air as Jack finally lost his temper .
"Jack stop fucking jumping about and tell us what the hell is going on what was that all about beef tea? Have you completely lost your mind?" He shouted as Gerry stared at the phone clearly willing it to ring again.
"You two haven't got it yet have you?" Brian asked as a WPC entered the room handing him a large cardboard box before leaving again. "Dogs, old dogs, beef tea, Douglas Morson, James Farlow. Think about it…"
"Oh my god!" Gerry gasped realisation hitting him like a steam train. "You really think that's it? That's why you mentioned the beef tea you were asking her if you were right?"
"Yep and I'd say she confirmed that I was wouldn't you?" Brian agreed as they all started empting the evidence from the box in front of them laying it out on the table.
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Staring at the phone as he takes it away again I try to hide the exhilaration I'm feeling, they're getting there, Brian knows what case this is all linked to and now I know it won't be long until they find me.
"Beef tea?" He's laughing and I know he has no idea about the link he's simply finding the whole thing hilarious. "This is going to be easier than I thought, I know they're old and everything but I did think they'd be a little more focused on and finding you and ask a few more interesting questions even if I wouldn't have let you answer him."
"They are focused, they're always focused you have seriously underestimated them." He's still laughing as he leaves the room and I finally let myself smile. I know everything is going to be ok, I never doubted them for a minute but he's no idea how much he's helped with that single phone call. Now I know they are on the right lines and so do they so this is almost over I can feel it, it won't be long until I'm home where I belong.