So close?
Sam felt sick, the air growing damp and stale as he followed the others deeper into the bank. He knew Gene was a powder keg, ready to explode with fury and fear once they found whoever had taken Alex. Part of him knew his friend was most likely dead; there had been no more silent phone calls since Chris had told them about his. He prayed it meant the phone battery had stopped working but he also knew it was just as likely her heart had stopped.
"Bloody Hell." Ray hissed as he followed Gene through the dark corridors. The silence was almost deafening as he sensed the doom that was almost settled on them. He knew if Alex was in the building there was a very real possibility that she would be dead or so gravely injured that there was no way she was going to be the same Alex they had all known and loved. Gene stalked forwards, his boots hitting a staccato beat as he caught up with Sam.
"Ethel."
"Chris and the girls have headed left towards the vaults. If Alex was having problems with a phone signal, chances are she was at lease there when she phoned." Sam explained Shaz' theory as Gene grunted.
"All the doors are damaged or open."
"Guv." Sam frowned.
"The doors." Gene looked at his best friend as if he was seeing him for the first time. "Upstairs, third floor. Completely abandoned and unused since the bank staff were moved out."
"Yeah." Ray agreed. "The doors either left open or ripped off by vandals. Same ere, apart from that one." He nodded towards the metal edged door a few feet away. "That looks new to me."
Gene grunted in agreement before marching towards it.
Xxxxxxx
"She was here." Chris frowned as he looked at the bloodstained floor and the smashed iPhone. Shaz covered her mouth with one hand. She felt sick at the sight of the blood. Annie knelt to examine the small smart phone.
"Screen has been stamped on by the looks of things." She paused. "Not completely broken though." She picked it up gingerly as the signal bar registered that there was a slight signal. "No passcode."
"Old too. Isn't it the original type?" Chris asked. Annie nodded.
"iPhone 3."
"Practically obsolete. That could be why there was hardly any signal. She has to be here somewhere." Shaz looked around as Annie scrolled through the calls list.
"My number, Sam, Gene, Work. She's used this phone. She's here." Annie sighed. "Or at least she was."
"And if that Blood is hers then she's not long left." Chris pointed to the drops of fresh blood on the concrete floor. Shaz nodded, the baby of the team more determined than ever to find her mentor. Annie fought the urge to be sick. Thoughts of Molly and the little ones sprang into her mind. She didn't know what she would say to he godchildren if they didn't find Alex soon. Chris tapped her shoulder.
"Cmon. This is good. This is a lead." He smiled. Annie nodded, hoping he was right.
Cxxxx