Just breathe, I thought to myself, as my stomach somersaulted with fear. What were my options? I could stay where I was, and pray Robbie reached me before Peters did. That seemed the most sensible option. After all, I was in no condition to attempt to descend that ladder, given the way my body was shaking. I discarded the torch parts as silently as I could. A torch was useless now. Sure, it would lead Robbie straight to me, but it would also alert Peters to my position. Given the condition of the body of his last victim, it was a scenario I couldn't bear to imagine.
What had Peters hoped to achieve by organising to have the power cut? Only an amateur would have created a short circuit before blowing the fuse. So, what did he hope to gain by engaging an accomplice to cut the power? If he was aware that our team was closing in on him, why did he come to the warehouse in the first place? Clearly, there was more to Peters than a vicious, brutal killer.
I heard footfalls coming closer and closer to where I was standing. My heart thumping in my ears, I tried to discern whether they belonged to Robbie or Peters. The sound of a limb connecting with metal, and the hissed expletive that followed, gave me hope.
"Robbie?" I murmured uncertainly.
"Jackie? Thank Christ!" Both his hands came to rest on my shoulders, and I could hear the relief in his voice. My heart rate, which had calmed slightly upon hearing his voice, sped up again. I couldn't be certain whether Robbie's touch was responsible, or if I was still nervous at the thought of Peters lurking somewhere across the warehouse floor.
"Where's Peters?"
"I'm not sure. The light in the alcove was a diversion - no one was in there. I think he might have been the one who cut the power."
Peters cut the power himself? This whole situation was starting to unnerve me. But now that we had no reason to remain in the warehouse, we could return to the safety of the car.
"So, we should probably head back to the car, right?"
"Excellent suggestion, Miss Reid."
Placing a firm hold on my elbow, he guided me toward the ladder. I suddenly recalled how high the ladder was, and how nervous I had been climbing it in the light with Robbie right behind me. I wasn't sure I could face climbing down it alone in complete darkness.
"Robbie?" I whispered. It was difficult for me to admit to him that I was afraid. "What happens if I fall?"
His hand brushed my cheek. "You won't fall, sweetheart. I'll be right there, just like last time, okay?" Taking hold of my hand, he led me to the top of the ladder.
He kept a hold of my hand as I began to descend. "Just until you find your footing," he'd whispered. However, if he kept running his thumb over my knuckles like he was doing, my mind would be so focused on the wonderful sensations his touch elicited in me that I would lose my footing of my own accord.
About a quarter of the way down the ladder, we heard an ear-splitting screech as the roller door at the entrance was slammed shut. In one swift movement, Robbie pulled me upwards until I was sitting on the top floor, then slid me as close to his body as was possible. As his arms wrapped around my shaking body, we heard maniacal laughter echoing throughout the empty warehouse.
"Hello DI Ross and DS Reid. Were you expecting me?"
