Page 54 of The Serial Killer’s Sister (The Serial Killer’s Daughter #3)

After another hour of anguished discussion, Serena agrees to drive the Audi away from the woodland along a route of minor roads to avoid traffic cameras.

‘Thank you,’ I say. ‘I’m not sure how I’ll ever repay you, but I promise I’ll spend the rest of my life trying.’

‘Let’s just get through the night before you make any further promises, Anna.

’ Her tone sounds harsh, unforgiving, and I can’t blame her.

My promises don’t count for much. Her shoulders slope, and she takes me in her arms. ‘It’ll be okay.

We’ll be okay,’ she says, more softly. If I escape punishment for this, I’ll owe her my life.

‘You best go first because you know the area better.’ Serena says, backing away from me and walking to Dean’s car.

I’m also the one who’s going to choose the location to ditch the Audi.

I seem to remember talk of a disused quarry around here, which might be the best bet.

Even if Dean’s car is found at some point, the quarry is far enough away from the well that the two are unlikely to be linked.

If anything, police will assume DI Walker’s vehicle was stolen by joyriders and dumped – or that he must’ve been in this area trying to locate Henry Lincoln single-handedly, and Henry is the person responsible for the detective’s disappearance.

It’s the best hope I have.

There are no lights along the lanes leading to the land where the quarry is; only my headlights and those of Serena’s in the Audi behind illuminate the path ahead.

The lane narrows so much that the hedges scratch against each side of the car, the high-pitched squealing sounding like screaming.

I feel a moment of panic. Have I taken a wrong turning?

I’m afraid I’m about to end up in someone’s farm when it suddenly widens and the ground changes, becoming smoother; sandy, and I let out my held breath in a rush.

After a few minutes, I brake and get out, indicating to Serena to pull alongside me.

She doesn’t get out immediately, and I can’t see her face.

My pulse skitters. Has she changed her mind?

I couldn’t blame her – this is going beyond the call of friendship.

I lay my hand on my chest, feeling the beat of my heart drumming against it.

I’m allowing her guilt that she was suckered in by Dean to ensure I get what I want.

I swore I’d never be this selfish again, yet here I am.

It really will be the last time, though.

I’ll make sure I’m the very best friend to Serena.

And here and now, I make a new resolution: I’m not going back to Seabrook Prep.

I look up to the night sky, tears pricking my eyes.

I’m going to find a new teaching job at a more disadvantaged school, just like I’d intended all those years ago.

I’ll prove my worth by contributing to the wellbeing of kids who aren’t as fortunate as those at private schools. And I will lead a good life.

Even if that means leading it alone, without my husband.

The car door opens, and Serena steps into the beam of light created by the headlights.

‘You okay?’ I walk towards her, my hand out. She takes it and I feel its clamminess against my palm.

‘When it’s over I will be,’ she says. She lets go of my hand and edges forwards.

‘Careful.’ I tug at her jumper sleeve, fear sweeping through my veins. The last thing I want now is for her to accidentally fall into the quarry.

‘I’m getting a little tired of deep, dark holes,’ Serena says. ‘Can we make this the last?’

I can’t help but smile. It’s comforting to know someone else who uses humour in stressful situations. ‘With pleasure.’

We go through the plan again, and when we’re both as certain as we can be that we’ve thought of everything, Serena gets back into Dean’s car and uses the wet wipes from his glove compartment to remove her fingerprints.

They’ll find her blood in the boot, if the car is ever retrieved, but that can be explained with the abduction story, which she’ll say she was too traumatised to report at the time.

Finding her fingerprints on the steering wheel would be trickier to explain, so a few minutes eliminating those is time well spent.

When she’s finished, Serena pulls the sleeve of her jumper over her hand and releases the handbrake.

We both get behind the car and with our hands covered, we begin pushing it closer to the edge.

It’s hard to begin with, then it gains momentum, moving more easily.

Within seconds, I feel a release of pressure, and the car is falling into the black void beneath us in a cacophony of crunching, scraping metal and shattering glass.

Once the noise abates, Serena takes my hand in hers and we stand in quiet contemplation at the edge of the quarry, looking out across the skyline.

Twinkling lights in the distance are the only reminder other people exist in this moment.

I close my eyes, giving a silent prayer to poor Henry and to all those who’ve been hurt by, or had their lives taken by, Dean Briggs.

And as I tilt my head to the heavens, I pray for him, too. That he may be at peace, now.

Shivering with the cold air and shock, we climb back into my car and I whack the heater on as we begin the drive home. There’s still a lot to talk about, decisions to be made about what to say, to whom, and when. But we agree to keep the truth between ourselves.

I’ve replaced one secret for another.

But what’s a secret between friends?