Panicking Dean started to freak out at the sight of his girlfriend slowly bleeding to death. Still restrained but as the only adult present Ellie knew she had to take control of the situation. She couldn't do it alone though, she tried shuffling forward to get Dean's attention but he didn't seem to be noticing. Straining she tried her best to mumble through the tape and eventually Dean looked over at her all teary eyed. She used her eyes to talk to him, pleading him to come over and free her of her restraints. It took him a few minutes to realise but when he did he hurried over to Ellie and ripped the tape from her mouth. She cursed in her way, as it ripped off and seemed to peel away half her skin.
"Unite me" breathed Ellie knowing she needed to get a move on if there was going to be any hope of saving Chloe's life. Struggling and fumbling as he spent more time worrying about Chloe, Dean's fingers slipped and struggled to try and rip through the tape that bound Ellie. It was no use, no matter what he tried it just wouldn't budge. Ellie frantically scanned the now lit area for something he might be able to use to help him free her of the restraints. Nothing caught her eye until she squinted staring into the darkest corner and noticed what looked like a pair of sheers. Getting Dean's attention again she sent him off to investigate further.
Blood was pumping now out of Chloe's wound, where the arrow remained lodged. Soaking the white cotton of her top it was now beginning to collect in a puddle on the floor beneath her and she was a deathly shade of pale. They hadn't long until all hope would be gone and Ellie was determined the Latimer's would not lose another child on her watch. She insisted Dean hurry as he returned to her and with shaky and unsteady grip tried to cut the tape and not catch Ellie in the process. He was so nervous and it didn't help that the sheers where heavy but somehow he managed it. The tape fell from Ellie's wrists and leaving her ankles bound she got onto her knees and shuffled forward to check Chloe's vitals.
There was only just a pulse. Hurrying Ellie turned to Dean and demanded his phone. He was stunned and slow to react, everything getting to him and causing him to be a wreck. Luckily she was holding it all together, the adrenaline definitely fuelling her for now. As she rushed an explanation to the emergency services, exploiting her status as a police officer to receive immediate assistance she stressed how urgent her situation was. Talking to Chloe, in an attempt to try and keep what ever consciousness may be present there, Ellie patiently waited for the ambulance, making sure that Chloe got her full attention until they arrived. It had been a struggle to describe where they were and she just hoped in the dark that they wouldn't struggle in locating them. That few seconds could be crucial between saving a life and losing one.
At the Latimer household, Becca and Mark watched as the paramedics scooped Beth's body up off of the floor and took her out to the ambulance. It was Becca who had insisted they call them and deny any accusation that Mark might have pushed her as it was all an accident. No one had any proof that the couple had been rowing and contaminating the scene Becca had moved the hold all and placed all Beth's belongings back in their rightful places. There was no evidence now of her trying to leave or the upset, just as long as Mark kept quiet Becca promised to be his alibi. She had it all planned out, the perfect little cover for him and he was grateful. With tears in his eyes he let Becca guide him to her car and lifelessly sat in the passenger seat as they followed the ambulance.
As Alec slowly made his way back through the town he was lost in a world of thought. Anyone observing him would assume he was oblivious to his surroundings and in some ways he was. Just strolling he was mapping out in his mind, like any good detective would, all the possibilities. Nothing was jumping out at him until he was distracted by a van whizzing passed him in a blur. He turned back to look over his shoulder to see it slam on its breaks and hear the screeching of the wheels as it shot around the corner on what could have easily been two wheels. It was heading in the direction of the little housing estate and had Alec highly suspicious. Doubling back on himself he started in that direction curious as to the vans whereabouts now. It had been a blur of blue he was sure that had passed him and one of his previous suspects, Nigel Carter, had a van that matched that description. He was going on a whim but he prayed it might result in a lead and help him to track down Miller.
By the time Alec had reached the corner the van had completely disappeared. Following the pathway round he allowed himself to venture further into the maze that was the housing estate. His eyes scanned all around as he kept an eye out for the van. It was difficult in the dark to determine which house was which because they all just looked the same. Hearing a noise that resounded the slam of a van door, he crept along the hedgerow until he stopped at the end and peered round on to the drive. It was Nigel's van, the back door was open and heavy footsteps could be heard moving around inside. Standing back Alec waited patiently and observed. It took a while for Nigel to finally emerge but when he did Alec could clearly make out the sweat on his brow and his tense state.
"Good Evening" he chirped, stepping out and startling Nigel which in turn made him jump.
"Can I help you?" he sneered after catching his breath from the fright and scowled at the Detective stood before him.
"Well you may be able to actually" replied Alec calmly. "I am looking for Detective Miller, have you seen her?" he asked.
"No" was the short sharp reply that came from Nigel as he slammed the doors of his van shut and headed towards the house.
"Are you sure?" quizzed Alec, testing to try and provoke an agitated reaction.
"Positive" Nigel slowly replied as he turned to face Alec.
"Now why don't I believe you" answered Alec examining Nigel closely and frowning. It was a rhetorical question not that Nigel understood. Frustrated now and frankly a little annoyed Nigel shook his head in disbelief. Was Detective Hardy accusing him of something?
"Are accusing me of something? because if you are you better have all your facts right" Nigel retorted in a raised voice but it was definitely a threat. Alec took it as a warning but that didn't mean he was going to stop there.
"Not yet. If you have nothing to hide you won't mind me asking you a few questions then?" pushed Alec. Keeping the conversation going until a crack appeared. This was the make or break answer. If he said yes, Alec would have further information, if no it was suspicious and he would need to do further investigation but Nigel would become the prime suspect in his eyes.
"I got nothing to hide and nothing to tell you" came Nigel's blunt reply as he quickly unlocked the front door and stepped inside before Alec could follow. "If I knew where she was I'd say" he called out slamming the door in Alec's face.
Letting out a groan of frustration Alec turned away. He was no closer to the truth or answers as to why Ellie had suddenly disappeared like she had. As he walked down the drive and passed the van he looked for any suspicious signs. It was a print on the window that caught his attention. A mark left by a hand, a child's and he instantly thought of Tom. Mulling over some thoughts for a second he examined the mark of fingerprints on the glass. It gave him an idea. Nigel hadn't locked the van and had definitely been up to something within. Heading to the back he tried the van door which popped open. Trying not to attract suspicion he gently pulled it open and snook inside to see what might be lurking within. He needed his phone for light, and shone it carefully round the van as he searched for clues. Nothing jumped out at him until he reached the pile of sheets clearly concealing something. With caution he approached and carefully lifted them to reveal what had purposely been hidden beneath. His eyes widened in alarm and he had a sick feeling in his stomach. It was a cross bow, luckily he thought not loaded and a little blue jacket unmistakably Tom's.
Before Alec had a chance to examine anything further he heard footsteps and darted to the door to hop out before he was caught being nosy. He was just about to climb out when Nigel appeared in front of him. He was frowning and had an unrecognisable look upon his face which left Alec suddenly feeling wary. That evil glint in Nigel's eyes caught in the moonlight and a second later he pushed Alec back causing him to stumble and fall to the van floor before he followed him inside.