**For authors notes, disclaimer etc see chapter 1**

Seven Days and Counting 11

"We need to coordinate this properly so just meet us in the next street in I'll be there with M.I.T in ten minutes." Strickland said loudly before hanging up as Gerry turned the loud speaker on his phone off and stared at Jack.

"He's right we need to do what he say Gerry this all has to be done by the book when we get her out of there we don't do anything that means he can get off on a technicality I want this guy to not see the light of day for a long time and I know that's what you want too." Jack said taking a final glance at the house as Gerry pulled out of the parking space driving in the direction of the street Strickland had told them to meet in.

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Something has changed, I can feel it in the air, I can't out my finger on what it is but I know something's going to happen. For a while I was able to convince myself that it was nothing, that I'd been cooped up in this room so long I was starting to lose my mind but it's not that.

I can hear him moving around down stairs normally at night the place is so quiet I'd convinced myself that he left me here and slept somewhere else but not tonight. I know the seven days must be almost over by now maybe that's why he's around more, maybe he's preparing whatever he has planned for me when the time runs out, maybe that's the change I can feel but I hope with all my heart that it's not.

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"Ok there'll be armed response across the road and stationed at the back of the property too." Strickland said quietly as officers piled out of the back of a Land rover beside them. "The four of us will go to the house and see if he'll open the door if we can get him out onto the door step or get him to let us in the we can prepare the way for a team to come in and lift him and hopefully find Sandra."

"And if he doesn't answer or if he sees it's us and slams the door in our faces leaving her inside with him when he knows we're on to him?" Gerry asked the hairs on the back of his neck standing on edge at the images being thrown up by his imagination.

"Yeah I mean we're just going to walk up to the door and show our hand?" Brian asked as Jack shook his head clearly thinking the same thing.

"We're going to see if we can get in and bring it to an end without needing armed response but they are there and watching everything so if he doesn't let us in they'll be all over the place in seconds and if he does I'll be in constant communication with them so I can get them in as soon as anything seems to go wrong."

Moving through the darkness toward the house Gerry felt his chest tighten as M.I.T officers on either side of them disappeared into the night. Stopping at the bottom of the steps leading to the front door all four men paused giving each other a final glance as they climbed the stone steps and Strickland rang the bell then loudly knocked the door.

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I heard it, I heard the bell ring and then the immediate knock after it that can only mean one thing. I've done it often enough and spent a large part of my career watching other people do it. They're here, they've found me I know it and now I'm off the bed my ear pressed against the bedroom door.

"Mr Christie?" That's Strickland I recognise his voice oh god it's almost over.

"Yes can I help you? You do realise what time it is don't you?"

"Yes we're aware of the time Mr Christie I'm D.A.C Strickland and these are my colleagues Brian Lane, Jack Halford and Gerry Standing can we come in for a minute we need to have a word with you." They're all here but is he going to let them in. Should I shout or something and let them know I'm here?

"I don' think now is the time if you gentlemen would like to come back in the morning I….."

"I'm up here…Gerry! Brian! Jack! I'm upstairs!" I couldn't just stand here and risk them walking away and I know they've heard be because I can hear running footsteps and yelling.

"Keep your hands were I can see them Mr Christie. Where is she which room is she in?" I can hear someone trying all the doors and finally reaching the one I'm in.

"Sandra! Sandra are you in there?" It's Gerry, he's here the power has gone from my legs as I tell him I'm here and stand back from the door as he breaks through it gathering me into his arms as the room goes black.

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"Get a paramedic in here now!" Gerry shouted taking off his coat and draping it over Sandra's body as she lay lifelessly in his arms.

"Is she ok?" Brian asked as he and Jack tumbling through the door followed by a paramedic.

"She's breathing but I think she fainted." Gerry replied as two more paramedics with a stretcher came into the room and Jack pulled him to his feet giving them room to work.

"Strickland has Christie in the car already on the way back to the station and forensics are on their way." Brian said as the paramedics moved Sandra onto the stretcher and Gerry grabbed her hand. "You go with her we'll make sure everything goes ok here and see you back at the office."

"OK I'll keep you informed." Gerry agreed following the paramedics as they made their way out of the house and he saw Sandra's eyes open weakly he smiled down at her. "Its ok sweetheart you're ok we've got you and everything is going to be ok."

"I knew you'd find me." Sandra whispered as she was put into the ambulance and Gerry climbed in beside her taking her hand and squeezing it gently as her eyes closed again and he felt like he could breathe for the first time since this had all began.