Find Them Dead

91 Thursday 23 May

Brown in parts, blackened in others, shrivelled and covered in flecks of ice, was a skinned, cooked creature the size of Horace.

Her worst fears were confirmed as she shakily picked up the note and read it.

She turned away, staggered over to the sink and retched into it. The burner, which she’d left on the kitchen table, rang.

‘Hello?’ she answered. And heard the calm, horribly familiar man’s voice.

‘Big day tomorrow, Meg.’

‘You bastard,’ she said. ‘You fucking bastard.’

‘Oh, come on, Meg,’ he said with infuriating calm and charm. ‘I just thought you’d like to surprise Laura with a little taste of Ecuador when she and Cassie come home — of course, that is, if they come home.’

‘You are sick.’

‘They are very tasty, I’m told. A bit like chicken, but sweeter and more tender.’

‘Laura is a vegetarian, in case you weren’t aware,’ she snapped. ‘You seem to know everything else about her.’

‘Pop it in the microwave, two minutes on full power, and it’ll make a tasty supper for you tonight. Help you build up your strength for tomorrow.’

‘Fuck you. Seriously. FUCK YOU.’ She killed the call and stood, shaking.

The phone rang again. She hesitated, debating whether to answer or not. But she had to speak to him, try to talk reason with him. She answered.

‘Meg, hanging up on me isn’t going to save your daughter’s life. There is only one thing that will, and you know what that is, don’t you?’

He let the question hang in the air, then went on. ‘Now, don’t panic if you don’t hear from Laura for the next day or two. Very unfortunately she and her friend Cassie were pickpocketed earlier today. They’ve lost their phones and all their money. But don’t worry, my friend Jorge — Laura may have mentioned his name — he’s going to take care of them. You won’t hear from Laura again until after the verdict — after you have gone into the court and said those two words. Repeatedly. On each charge. You do know what they are, don’t you? You haven’t forgotten? Shall I remind you?’

She held the phone to her ear, stonily saying nothing. Daphne jumped onto the table and walked towards her. Almost unconsciously, she stroked her.

‘Beautiful cat,’ he said. ‘So affectionate.’

His words hit her like an electric shock. Her eyes darted around the room, up at the ceiling, into all corners, desperately wondering where the cameras were. She felt utterly helpless. There didn’t seem anything she could do without jeopardizing the girls’ safety in Ecuador. Sadly, she had no other choice.

‘Don’t worry, Meg, don’t try to find where I’m looking at you, conserve your energies for tomorrow. You are going to need every ounce of strength.’

Then silence.

He was gone.

Immediately, she dialled Laura’s number. It went straight to voicemail.

In desperation, she dialled again. Then again. Then again. The same each time. Cassie’s number also went to voicemail.

She sank down in a chair and put her head in her hands, tears of desperation streaming down her face.