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

Seven Days and Counting 17

"So you'd decided in spite of the fact we were made for each other and I just wasn't seeing it so you'd have to abduct me to make me see the error of my ways why bother with the flowers, the phone calls, the muffin baskets? If you'd already decided you only had one option why waste time?" He's staring at me now with that same sly grin he's been try to intimidate me with since this started and much as I hate to say it he's starting to succeed. I just want this to be over, outwardly I may be convincing him and most others that this isn't getting to me but I know the boys won't be fooled especially Gerry.

"I was curious you and you team have quite a reputation for brilliance so I was wondering if I actually gave them and you a chance to find me before I took you would you do it. It was actually quite comical to watch" I know what he's referring to and part of me really doesn't want him to finish the statement I meant it when I told the guys I didn't blame them for not taking the initial threat seriously but to have him say that they could have prevented all this will kill them.

"Well I'm glad you found it all so entertaining but…."

"But they didn't even care enough to take you seriously, why are you trying to protect them? I could see from watching all of you from a distance that it was upsetting you how often did you tell them you were worried? How many times did you actually tell them you were frightened? I'd bet it was quite a few and yet none of them too you seriously enough not even…."

"They were simply trying to reassure me that everything was fine it's what friends do." The last thing I need right now is for him to decide to out mine and Gerry's relationship to Strickland and I really hope he hasn't picked up on that fact or he'll take great pleasure in doing it.

"Yeah that's what it was. Didn't you feel let down Sandra? I mean they didn't even care that you were getting more and more frightened what does that say about how much they respect you and care about you? If not one of them paused for a second to think that maybe you had a point do they really care at all? I know you were hurt by it I could see it from a distance how come none of them could see it from right beside you?"

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"Bastard!" Gerry snapped as he glanced at Jack and Brian and knew they were all thinking the same thing. They had failed her in a big way and no matter how much she told them she didn't blame them they would always feel like they'd let her down.

"Is this all true?" Strickland asked looking from one to the other their lack of response giving him all the answer he needed. "So she was upset and frightened and instead of doing something you ignored the signs that she could be in danger and look what happened. I am…."

"What were we supposed to do?" Jack snapped feeling his fists tighten in frustration they knew what they'd done or rather not done they didn't need a lecture from him about it.

"If she was genuinely worried which it's clear she was you should have come to me about it. it's not like she's a woman prone to overreaction just the opposite in fact. If you'd come to me and we'd properly investigated what was going on and taken her concerns seriously things could have ended very differently, she might have been saved from such a hideous experience and we might not be standing her having to watch him try to make her relive it." Strickland continued before turning back to the window as Brian, Jack and Gerry exchanged angry glances.

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"So really this has all been about what you can or can't get away with and nothing to do with your assertion that we are "made" for each other?" I can't believe how confident he still is even though he knows I could walk out of here right now and we still have enough evidence to send him down for a very long time.

"No, you are meant to be with me Sandra just sitting here in the room with you and imagining you standing naked in my shower is enough to mean if I stood up now you'd be left in no doubt about how much you turn me on. Besides I know forensics will have been all over your place with a fine tooth comb so you already know how I entertained myself while I was waiting for you. It wasn't the first time I'd had fun imagining fucking you Sandra and you can rest assured it won't be the last. I have a whole library of new images to get me through the lonely nights."

I can actually feel my skin crawl as he makes eye contact with me with me again and this time it takes every ounce of my self-control not to be the one to look away first.

"You'd have enjoyed it you know I've never had any complaints before and since it would have been the last thing you'd ever have done I'd have made an extra effort to ensure you died happy. There are worse ways to go."

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"OK he's going too far now time to get her out of there." Strickland said loudly as the others nodded their agreement and he left the room.

"God I wish I could have five minutes alone with him he'd not have a fucking dick to play with by the time I was done." Gerry said angrily as they watched Strickland entre the interview room and ask Sandra to come out for a second. Waiting for them to both leave the room they moved to the corridor themselves just in time to see Sandra disappear round the corner in the direction of the ladies.