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

Seven Days and Counting 14

"Interview with DSI Sandra Pullman time is 14.26 present are DAC Robert Strickland and Jack Halford." Strickland said firmly when the loud beep indicating the recording had started was silenced. "Sandra you're aware we have Tom Christie in custody but we still need your statement for evidence if at any point you need a break just say and we can pause the tape and come back to it."

"Why is he telling her that she knows she's interviewed more suspects and witnesses than he ever will and she told us to get the interview over with." Gerry whispered angrily as he and Brian watched events from the other side of the two way mirror. He knew there had to be a serving officer in on the interview and they'd all agreed Jack would be the best one of them to sit in but it wasn't making it any easier to watch.

"He has to do it by the book for the tape Gerry she's ok look she's got through that bit and they're on to the questions hopefully he'll keep it short." Brian replied as they fell silent and turned their attention back to the interview.

"Can you tell us what you remember about the night you were abducted?" Jack asked smiling reassuringly as she nodded.

"I left you, Gerry and Brian in the pub about 10 when I got home the lamp was on in the living room but when I got inside there wasn't anyone there so I assumed I'd left it on when I left that morning." Sandra began, taking a deep breath as she tried to remember as many details as she could. "I went to leave the room again and someone grabbed me from behind I tried to fight back but he pushed me onto the floor and I hit my head on the corner of the coffee table. He grabbed me again and I lashed out I'm pretty sure I hit him but after that I don't remember anything else."

"Ok so what is the next thing you remember?" Strickland asked making notes on the sheet of paper in front of him.

"I woke up handcuffed to the bed, I was covered with a sheet and I was naked under it." She continued Jack's eyes meeting her for a second as he nodded reassuringly.

"Was there any indication at that stage that he had assaulted you or injured you in any way other than the cut on your head caused by the fall against the table?"

"No but I did feel drowsy almost hung over which I later realised was because he had drugged me. That was the point where he came back he brought me water and food and took one of the cuffs off so I could eat it. The room felt familiar but I couldn't place it because it was so dark. Then he told me what he'd done and how he's contacted the office and given you all seven days to find me then he left again."

"You're doing great Sandra." Jack smiled "On the video he sent we saw you try to get away from the room can you remember anything about what lead up to that? We realise he drugged you again at that state so it may be hard to remember but is there anything you can tell us?"

"He came back what I assume was the next day and told me he'd left something for me to put on in the bathroom along with towels and that my favourite products were there too. Then he took the other cuff off and told me there was no other way out of the room so not to bother trying and that'd he'd leave me to shower then he'd be back. When he came back I could see the hallway behind him and I thought if I could distract him enough to let his guard down I might be able to get out. As you saw I was wrong."

"We have to ask Sandra if at any point he touched you inappropriately or made advances that were unwelcome or did he do anything of that nature?" Strickland sighed feel Jack tense beside him.

"Why's he asking her that." Gerry snapped as Brian shook his head "We know she wasn't raped the forensics prove it why put her through taking about it all on tape?"

"I don't know." Brian said quietly hoping the interview wouldn't take much longer since he had no idea how much more Gerry could listen to without storming in there.

"He touched my face, my hair, my neck nowhere else and he watched me shower on one occasion to be honest I think he was getting off more on telling me what he planned to do. Dragging it out was what he was enjoying until he's terrorised me into submission when his seven day deadline hit."

"How did you eventually work out who he was?"

"He left a light on in the room and when I came round I recognised it. He didn't seem to care that I knew though. I asked why he'd done it he said he'd been watching me since the dog case and when he realised I was in relationship he felt he didn't have a choice." She continued her eyes pleading with Jack to take the questioning in a different direction before Strickland asked more about her relationship.

"So he got you to phone us, did he realise you'd told us what we needed to find you?" He asked watching as she relaxed again when it became evident Strickland was happy with the new question.

"No he told me if I told you who he was or even hinted at it he'd make me regret it but he had no idea what was going on when Brian asked about the beef tea he found it all hilarious and more evidence that you would never find me."

"Ok well that pretty much covers everything he needed to clarify Sandra." Strickland replied "Is there anything you'd like to add that you think we should know?"

"No as I said I wasn't conscious for a lot of the time so I don't remember anything else." Sandra sighed as Strickland ended the interview noting the time and stopping the tape.

"Are you ok?" Jack asked as Gerry and Brian entered the room.

"I'm fine but I could really do with a coffee before I go in to Christie."

"You go get that while I give the tape to MIT and go see the commissioner." Strickland smiled "Then we'll get Christie into a room and remember Sandra we'll all be watching and if he steps out of line so much as once there'll be a uniformed officer in the room with you and we'll all be in there in seconds."

"I know it'll be fine he didn't intimidate me when he had complete control of the situation I'm not about to let him start now!" Sandra replied returning his smile with a weak one of her own. She wanted more than anything for this to be over and was determined that within hours it would be. Just one more hurdle to get over and it would all be in the past.