Chapter 17

“I spent 12 years with this woman. How did I not notice that my wife was capable of this?,” Mike said out loud
“Bro – don’t do that to yourself till we are sure. It could come back as a dud, or it belongs to someone else
Back at the cabin:

Over an hour has gone by
Chole appeared by the kitchen door.
“How long are we staying here for?
“I’m not sure, darling, just think of it as a holiday
“But is someone trying to hurt us?
“No, darling, we are just being careful, as it was so close to our home and with my and dad’s jobs being what they are, that’s all
“Okay, I am going to play in my room
“Okay, baby
“Jesus, I really need to know what has been happening. I mean, does Mike know? Could he have identified my earring? How could I be so stupid to lose one of my earrings?
“Sis, you okay?” Dave asked
“ Hey, yeah am fine, just worried about Mike and Terry.
“Are you sure we are safe?
“How about we watch a movie together? I mean, we are stuck here, we might as well enjoy the time we have together.
“Okay, I’m just going to call Mike and check in, then I will be down.
“Making my way upstairs, I dialed Mike's number. I needed to see what he knew.
This is a massive fucking mess.
“Yeah
“It’s me, is everything okay?
“Is everyone okay?
“Yeah,” we are all fine, just about to watch a film together, I was just checking in.
I mean, is this guy watching us? Do we need to be on high alert. Mike tell me what to do.
“ We aren’t sure, it could be something or it could be nothing, I just need you all to be safe and to keep the girls safe at all costs.
“Love you, but I have to go.
“Love you too
As the line went dead, I put my mobile on the bedside cabinet. I really need to let go for now and just relax with everyone; it's not like you can do anything about this, Leila. I mean, they might not have found anything at all.
But what if they have, and he already knows it's me?
“Come on, were watching Grease 2
“Already, who lost the bet
“I did, “Frank said, laughing
“Someone knows how to play poker,” Laughed Dave
“Who taught you how to play poker
“ I did, to be fair, though she has only been playing for two hours, and she beat me hands down,” Frank said, still laughing
Suddenly, we heard a car coming down the dirt road towards the cabin.
I went to look out of the kitchen window and told everyone to make their way upstairs, into the master bedroom, then lock the door.
Making my way towards the window to get a better look, I noticed it was a 4 x 4 Ford truck.
The truck stopped right outside the cabin, the flood lights were on so bright, I couldn’t make out who it was.
“ Mrs Lawson, “ Peter Picks Shouted
“ Dame it Peter, I nearly shot you dead, where you stand.
“ Sorry, I saw the gate open on my way home and wanted to check out who was here, as usually Mike lets me know when you are coming up.
“We just decided to have some family time up here, “ I explained
“Okay, well I will leave you to it.
“Wait, did you say the gate was open and that is why you came up?” I asked
“Yeah,
“Peter comes inside.
There is no way Mike would leave the gate open as we like it to look like the place has been abandoned for years. Its safer that way.
Calling Mike
“Yeah
“Mike, did you leave the gate open when you left? As Peter just arrived, he was on his way home and noticed the gate open.
“ No, we closed it, lock the doors, make your way upstairs, I'm on my way now, “ Mike demanded
Taking Peter with me, we made our way upstairs, into the Master Bedroom with the others, and locked the door.
What the fuck is going on? If this guy has been following or watching us, does he know what I’ve been doing?
“What is going on
“I’m not sure yet, but Mike has instructed us to come up here as the gate was open at the bottom of the road, that’s why Peter is here.
But the gate was closed by Mike and Terry. I've just spoken to them. It looks like there might be an unexpected visitor.
“I’m scared,” both Chloe and Angie said
“I know, we will be fine, I promise, Mike and Terry are the best of the best and won’t let anything happen to us,” I said, trying to calm them down.
“So, what do we do?” Frank asked
“We stay right here till Mike and Terry arrive.
This could be quite ironic, really, that I am being watched by a serial killer, but I am no different; I am just as bad, I mean, look what I’ve done.
After about 30 minutes, I heard a car speeding up the dirt road towards the cabin. Getting my weapon ready, I checked it was loaded and ready to shoot.
Then, hearing the door open, I heard Mike's voice boom up the stairs, Leila, girls, it's me, are you all okay, come out
Opening the bedroom door and seeing Mike’s face, a sign of relief washed over me and everyone else.
“Are you all okey,”
“Yeah, just freaked out a bit
“Daddy, am scared and want to go home,” Chole said, while hugging Mike
“Me too,” said Shannon and Angie in unions
All of a sudden Mike’s phone was ringing
“Detective Mike
“Detective, I thought it was about time we should meet, I mean, you did get my letter after all.
You might as well put me on loud speaker, so I can introduce myself to everyone. I mean it would be rude of me not to, “the caller stated
“Who the hell is this?” Mike Demanded
“You know who this is; you don’t want to mess with me, Detective. I’ve been watching you for a very long time, I mean, Shannon and Chloe are growing into beautiful young women.
So do as I ask and put me on loud speaker.
Mike placed his mobile on the side and pressed the loudspeaker button
“Done,” Mike Said
That’s better, good evening, everyone, so who do we have here? Chole, Shannon, detective terry, Uncle Dave, uncle frank, and auntie Angie. Oh, and the lovely detective Leila
Mike looked at me with a strange look when the caller said my name like that.
“Daddy, what is happening?” Shannon Asked
“ Well, Shannon, what is happening is that your dad has been trying to find me for over 20 years, so I wanted to introduce myself and say hi, I thought it was about time, “ The caller said
“ Dad am getting really freaked out,” Chole said
“So you should be, am a very scary person, now this wouldn’t have happened had your detective daddy left me alone, to enjoy myself. You see, your daddy decided to get too close for my comfort when he interviewed someone close to me and that I care about very dearly.
You, especially Detective Leila, have been very interesting to watch; you have some very dark secrets.
“What the hell, what does he know about me, does he know, oh shit, he must know
“ Getting scared yet, Detective Leila
“What Secret? “ Frank demanded
“Oh, hey, Uncle Frank, don’t worry, you will find out soon enough,” The caller laughed
“Leila, what is he talking about? “ Asked Dave
“ Detective, you have become quite the thorn in my side, which I will be dealing with pretty soon, but first I want Detective Leila and Detective Terry downstairs in the kitchen.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I demanded
“Oh yes you are, as every time after this that you refuse, I will take the life of your stepdaughters
The girls started to cry, and say no, no, no, please don’t hurt us
“ I won't as long as your step mum does what I tell her to do, “ The caller said
“Fine, we are on our way now to the kitchen.
Getting up, both Terry and I walked toward the bedroom door, unlocked it, and made our way down the hallway, down the stairs into the living room, making our way to the kitchen.
I looked out of the window, and we could see a car with the flood lights on; we were unable to make out the person sitting in the car.
Phone rings