Robbie's arms tightened around me. We were trapped in a warehouse with a murderer. How were we going to escape, alive, from this situation?

We could hear Peters pacing back and forth across the floor below. "I must say, I overestimated your intelligence, detectives. I didn't think you'd fall for my rouse. Leaving a light on as a lure, it has to be one of the oldest tricks in the book. But you fell for it, and it certainly made my job that much easier. It wasn't even necessary for me to cut the power, but I thought it was a nice touch. Sending your uniformed backup on a wild goose chase through the countryside was my favourite part. All that's left for me now is to decide what to do with the two of you. Generally, I prefer my victims to conveniently disappear. No blood on my hands, so to speak. Williams was an exception, of course. But he wouldn't have gone quietly. And I don't think the two of you will go quietly either. So, by what method do you wish to meet your demise? Any suggestions?"

He laughed maniacally once again. I could feel Robbie's heart pounding against my chest just as quickly as my own. I was sure my nails were digging quite painfully into his sides, but he hadn't complained yet.

"Peters isn't going to stay down there forever." His breath was warm against my ear. "I suggest we move out of his firing line, so to speak."

I could only manage an "okay" in reply. Keeping our arms around each other, we crept silently across the floor to an alcove a few metres away from the ladder. We crouched down as low to the floor as was possible, and waited to see what Peters would do next.

"It seems no suggestions are forthcoming. But that doesn't matter. I'm confident I can decide on a method of disposal suitable for the two of you." We heard him cross the floor, and begin to climb the ladder. The ominous metallic echoes reverberated around the empty space. "Do you want to meet your demise slowly? Or would you rather the pain was over quickly? Not that you ever had any choice. You won't be getting the satisfaction of a quick death."

"Great. Of all the murderers out there, we had to get trapped with a psychotic one."

Although he intended the remark to be humourous, I could hear the tremor in his voice.

"Probably best not to torment him, Robbie."

"Okay DS Reid and DI Ross. I'm done playing hide and seek. So, say your goodbyes. Because it isn't going to take me very long to find the two of you."

A tear coursed down my cheek. "We aren't going to die, are we Robbie?" I whispered in his ear. "This isn't really goodbye, right?"

"Of course not. This isn't goodbye." We could hear Peters approaching the alcove where we were hidden. "Everything will be okay, Jackie. I have a plan."

"Goodbye, DS Reid and DI Ross." Peters was standing directly in front of the alcove where we were crouching. Tears were coursing down my cheeks. This couldn't be the end. Robbie placed a gentle kiss on top of my head. I could feel his warm breath on my neck as he bent down to whisper something in my ear.

"I love you."