Chapter 17 –

Sam kept a careful distance between herself and the black BMW estate, her mind was fully focused on the car and the direction that it was taking. They were heading west and away from the city centre, it had been a while since Sam had been to this part of the city and as the houses got larger and further apart Sam knew that she was heading in the right direction. It wasn't just the sketch that had aroused Sam's suspicions, his demeanour around the department had not been the same from one day to another and nobody felt that they really knew him. Sam quickly stopped her car as she watched his car slow down before it waited for some electronic gates to open, she could tell that there were people inside, several lights were on and Sam could just about make out a person opening the door as he left his car and walked towards the house. Sam puffed out her cheeks as she ran her fingers through her hair, she had come this far and now was at a total loss as to what to do next, when suddenly a loud knock on the car window caused Sam to jump violently.

Rachel pulled the blanket tight around her, the woman had moved her downstairs a couple of house ago to where they had first brought her when she had arrived at the house, she was being prepared for his visit later that evening. Rachel took a breath as she tried to compose herself, at least she was now alone, the other girl wasn't ready yet, and Rachel had only seen her briefly but hadn't even been able to find out her name as she had just curled up on the bed, sobbing uncontrollably. The pain in Rachel's ribs wasn't too bad, they had put her back on the drugs and Rachel had known better than to struggle or to even argue with them. Sitting naked underneath the blanket on the bed the fear started to grow in the pit of Rachel's stomach, she knew that it was only a matter of time before they came to fetch her and it was time to mentally prepare herself for what they were going to do, trying to visualise herself in a happier place but Rachel found herself unable to find a suitable memory.

"What the...!"

Sam stared hard at the face peering at her through the darkness, the initial panic quickly gave way to one of annoyance as she gestured for him to enter.

"Detective Sergeant Emmerson."

"Doctor Nicholls."

The tone was tense between the two of them as the detective made himself comfortable.

"Why are you here Doctor Nicholls?"

"I fancied a drive, what about you detective?"

"My job Sam, I was following the same person as you only I was more aware and noticed you."

Sam closed her eyes and took a deep breath, mentally cursing herself for not noticing the other car following her, she should have prepared herself better especially given her army training.

"Well exactly what are we doing here Matt? He has gone inside, look at the house, it has got to be them, Rachel must be inside!"

"We have no proof of any crimes, we still have no idea where Rachel is, I'm sorry Sam."

"So we've got to sit tight?"

Matt nodded his head as Sam slammed the palms of her hands against the steering wheel.

"I'm going in there."

"I can't let you do that Sam."

"Have you spoken to DI Parker lately?"

Sam stared hard at Matt and saw the faint flicker of uncertainty in his face, she couldn't help but smile as she reached for the door handle.

"You haven't because you know that she'd agree with me, I'm going to see if I can find Rachel, if she is in there then you and I both know that they are going to hurt her and I for one cannot live with that guilt on my conscience."

Sam decisively stepped out of her car, not caring if Matt followed her or not, she wanted to find out what was really going on in that house and if Rachel was in there then she needed to get her out, as quickly as possible.

"Ok I'm coming."

Rachel could feel the tears building up as she listened to the voices outside the room, there were definitely two that she recognised, the woman who had stayed with her and the doctor but there was also a hint of a third person and if he was out there then it wouldn't be long until they came for her. Rachel closed her eyes tightly and pulled the fleece blanket around her once again, the hinges on the door creaked and footsteps headed towards her.

"Take the blanket off Rachel."

Rachel's heart rate increased as the voice echoed in the room, she kept her eyes closed as the doctor's hands pulled the blanket away from her body.

"I need to give you another injection Rachel. Just keep still for a minute."

Rachel felt the needle prick into her arm, she knew that it would only be a matter of a few minutes before she had to follow him out to the main room. The drugs quickly took effect and the rush hit her head, the loud crash of glass didn't even merit her to move her head.

"Get away from her Doctor Carter!"

Sam screamed as she ran into the room, Matt was close behind her as they approached the doctor.

"I didn't do..."

Dominic didn't get a chance to reply as Sam tackled him to the ground, the commotion in the room quickly caused the door to open and three men came running towards them.

"I'm a police officer, there are others on the way so back off!"

Matt shouted as Sam quickly got up and ran over to where Rachel was slumped on the bed, keeping her eyes on Dominic as he stood back up and glared at her, she had seen the same look of disgust on his face when he and Tom had clashed but there seemed to be even more venom aimed in her direction.

"You've made a terrible mistake Doctor Nicholls."

Dominic sneered as he spoke, grabbing a lighter from his pocket before he set light to the fleece blanket and threw the flaming garment to the floor causing flames to suddenly grab a hold of the carpet. The three men suddenly turned and ran from the room with Dominic close behind them.

"Rachel come on open your eyes for me."

Sam spoke urgently as she stroked Rachel's face, breathing a sigh of relief as Rachel's eyes flickered open.

"Sam we've got to get out here!"

Matt ran over to them as the room quickly filled with smoke Sam just nodded her head as she bent down to pick Rachel up.

"They've got another girl, upstairs in the back bedroom."

Sam's eyes opened wide as Rachel spoke, the words were slurred but both Matt and Sam heard them.

"I'll go just get Rachel out of here!"

Sam turned and stared hard at Matt but he was already on his feet heading out of the burning room.

"We'll get her Rachel, come on lets go."

Sam quickly took off her coat and wrapped it around Rachel's naked body as the two of them stood up, Sam's arm around Rachel's waist supporting her as they walked towards the broken window where Sam had entered. The heat and smoke were quickly increasing and Sam knew that they had to get out but then the curtains around the window caught light and blocked their exit.