Paul was stunned when Stephanie told him who had attacked her. What if Steph's memory isn't enough to get a conviction? He thought. What if it's considered unreliable or something? Damn it, I should have asked the cops about it! What can we do to make sure? He came up with a plan and voiced his concern to Stephanie and told her what he wanted her to do.
"You want me to go out there and get in the car?" Stephanie asked incredulously.
"When I let you know that I'm outside, like I said. Do what I said and you'll be fine. I'll handle the rest."
"I'm putting my life in your hands Paul," Stephanie said, terrified.
"There's no place safer for it to be honey, plus we have the advantage that we are the only ones who know that you've remembered something. Try to act calm and I'll be there soon."
Stephanie received a text from Paul to say that he was in the parking lot. He included the description of the car he had borrowed from someone in the office. He didn't want to follow the attacker in his own car in case it was recognised. Still not convinced that this was a good idea but accepting that Paul was right, they were the only two people who knew that she had remembered, Stephanie left the building. As the cold air hit her she felt sick at the thought that if her memory hadn't triggered when it had she may have already been dead by now as she would not have waited in the building. She noticed Paul waiting in the car he had described. He wasn't actually in the parking lot but parked in the street just outside of it. Stephanie approached the attacker's car and reminded herself to act normally. Whatever happened she couldn't let on that she knew. She opened the door and got in. "Hey, sorry about that. That place is so disorganised."
"No problem, I'm in no rush."
The car pulled away and left the parking lot and Paul tucked himself in a couple of cars back. Stephanie noted the leather gloves that the attacker was wearing. No fingerprints huh? She thought. What, you've got something to hit me with again have you? Well I'm ready for you this time if you try it. If one of us gets beaten to death today I'll be damned if it's going to be me!
"Can you drop me straight off at home please?" She asked. "My head hurts again."
"I thought we could go to my place? I'm not working today and you're obviously not, we could make an afternoon of it?"
"Sure, why not?" Stephanie agreed. No other response seemed possible. She waited a minute before taking out her phone so as not to make what she was doing too obvious and sent a text to Paul. He would do the rest. Stephanie saw her attacker take a glance at what she was doing but she had already made sure that the screen wasn't visible. The attacker didn't ask any questions. Don't want to raise any suspicion huh? Stephanie thought. Well you're too late for that.
"So, this memory expert, what's the deal? Are you making any progress?"
Yeah you would want to know that wouldn't you? Stephanie thought as she said, "No. To be honest I'm starting to think that it's a waste of money."
"That's really a shame. One day you'll remember and they'll be able to put the bastard who attacked you away."
"I hope so," Stephanie said. "I want that so badly."
Paul was understandably nervous. What if Stephanie gets attacked in the car? He thought. Why would she though? She's smart enough not to let on that we know.
As they travelled Stephanie noticed how casually her attacker made conversation. If my memory had not triggered on that phone call there is no way that I would have suspected a thing, she thought. I would have been on may way to be killed right now. Actually, I would likely already be dead.
Ten minutes later Stephanie tried to stop her hands from shaking and she felt sick again as the car approached the attackers house. This would have been it, she thought. I would have died here today. Hell, I still might if I don't stay sharp. The car pulled into the long driveway and the attacker parked as far away from the street as possible. We're out of sight of anyone back here, Stephanie thought. This is it, as soon as I get out of the car I have to be ready. Don't let me down Paul.
Okay, she's getting out, do it now! "I just need to get something from the trunk."
The attacker walked to the back of the car and opened the trunk and removed a crowbar.
Make this easy Stephanie, be facing away from me when I walk around the car, please!
The attacker raised the crowbar and stepped around the side of the car but Stephanie wasn't there. Instead a male voice shouted from behind, "Drop it! Drop it and turn around! Now!"
Fuck! She fucking knew it was me! Oh God, my life is over! Fucking bitch!
The attacker dropped the crowbar and turned around and saw two police officers with their guns drawn, "On the floor! Hands behind your head!"
The attacker did as ordered, what choice was there? Stephanie walked around the other side of the car with tears pouring down her cheeks, "How could you? How could you Marissa?"