Page 30 of The Truth Will Out (DI Sam Cobbs #18)

A dam unpacked the equipment he needed in the room where Sam had witnessed the live feed. He got down to business straight away.

Sam paced outside the warehouse door, just within earshot.

“Okay, I’ve got something,” he shouted.

Sam and the rest of the team entered the room.

“What have you found?” Sam asked eagerly.

“You did well to spot the trace signal. I worked on that angle first, and here’s what I’ve come up with. It’s bouncing through multiple proxies. However, the initial source came from three miles away.

“Lordy, really?” Sam’s heart thundered hard enough for it to affect her breathing. She felt the need to change position, leaning against the wall until her breathing rate became stable once more.

Liam, Oliver, and especially Nick, all looked at her, concern etched into their faces.

“Are you all right, boss?” Nick said.

“I will be, in a moment. It’s been a hell of a day so far. I can sense we’re getting closer now. Sorry, Adam, what I should have asked you is, where? Can you give us the exact location? If not, we’re back to square one again. Up the proverbial creek. ”

He didn’t say a word, not until he’d confirmed the coordinates again. “I believe it’s somewhere on the northeast side of town, out near the old brickworks. That might even be the location. Do you know that area at all?”

“I’m not that familiar with it. What about you, guys?” she asked her colleagues.

Oliver nodded. “I am. My parents live near there, so I’m a frequent visitor to the area.”

“Well, you’ll be pleased to know that there’s a strong signal still active coming from there. My advice would be to act quickly. If you delay it, there’s a chance they might pack up and leave.”

“If they do that, we’re screwed.” Sam inhaled a breath. “Are you guys up for it?”

Each of her colleagues gave a sharp nod.

“Did you all pick up Tasers before we left the station?”

“Absolutely, boss. We’re all armed and ready for action,” Liam confirmed.

Sam patted Adam on the shoulder. “I hate to do this, but can you come with us, just in case they make a move before we get there? You can bring your equipment and ride with me.”

“Wow, that would be amazing. I’d love that… er, from a purely professional point of view, ma’am. In fact, it would be one of my greatest honours.”

Nick laughed and tutted. “All right, Adam, there’s no need to go over the top about it.”

They all laughed as Adam’s face flushed. “Sorry. My enthusiasm is probably too much for you peeps. My boss spends most of his time trying to rein me in, not that it does him any good.”

Sam grinned. “Less chatter. We’ll help you ferry the equipment to the car.”

The team lent a hand and, before they jumped back into their vehicles, Sam asked them to gather around.

“I might not have time to say this at the other end, so listen up. We go in quietly. No sirens en route. No radio chatter, in case they’re listening in. We do this on our own, with no further backup. Agreed? ”

“Agreed, boss,” her three colleagues shouted.

“If Michele is there.” Sam removed her Taser from its hiding place. She stared at the weapon, wishing it were a gun, and added, “This ends tonight.”

In the light of the full moon, the brickworks loomed ahead of them like a relic from the town’s darkest days. Sam indicated and drew her car to a halt fifty feet away from the building. She killed her headlights. Oliver did the same in the car behind.

The team gathered closely. “We go in on foot from here in the hope that the element of surprise works in our favour.”

Sam led the way. The night had grown chillier.

She shuddered and pulled her jacket tighter and did up one of the buttons.

She tapped her Taser, hidden in its usual place.

It was a relief and a comfort knowing that she was going in there armed and with her colleagues behind her.

Ignoring the front entrance, its door left open and inviting them in, Sam discovered an opening at the side of the building.

She chose that way in instead, sensing there was every chance the main door might be booby-trapped or at least fitted with a motion sensor that could give them away.

Inside, the internal walls had crumbled in places. Sam studied the ceilings above; she deemed them safe enough for them to continue their journey into the unknown. Her nose twitched; the smell of burning caught her unaware.

Does this mean we’re too late? Don’t tell me they’ve tortured him, set him alight and left him to die. There’s no sign of life in here so far. No vehicles outside. Am I leading us into a trap? The killer or killers could wipe out the whole team in one go. Shit! Is that their intention?

“Boss, are you all right?” Oliver asked from behind.

“I’m fine. It’s too quiet. I hope we’re not walking into a trap. Can anyone smell burning?”

“You can’t be off it,” Liam replied. “We’ve got your back, boss.”

Sam smiled. “What would I do without you guys?” She cocked an ear. “Can you all hear that? ”

Oliver strained his neck and said, “Sounds like the hum of a generator.”

“I agree. We’re going in. I don’t have to tell you to keep your wits about you, men. Don’t let me down. Keep alert at all times,” she whispered her instructions.

Sam followed the sound to a stairwell and glanced up.

Her dilemma now was whether she trusted the stairs to take their weight.

It would be better if they ascended separately.

She gestured silently to make her point.

The team all nodded their understanding.

Sam withdrew her weapon and cautiously climbed the stairs first. Alert and acutely aware of her surroundings, she waited at the top for the others to join her.

In the distance, she could see a heavy metal door.

She assumed that was where the generator was housed.

Sam held a finger to her lips. “Stay here. I’m going in alone.

I don’t want them to know you’re here with me.

Yes, they might already know if there are cameras downstairs.

I’m taking a risk there aren’t any. They told me to go to the warehouse alone.

They won’t be expecting me or us to show up here.

Let’s use that to our advantage. Stick close; the first sign of trouble, make your move, not until then.

Is that understood? If I get into a conversation with anyone, I’ll talk louder than usual, hoping that my voice carries. ”

“Good idea, boss. We’ll be right behind you.”

Sam raised her thumb and then led the way along the narrow corridor.

She pushed open the door that had been left ajar.

She was right; there was a generator inside, but that wasn’t all.

The room was lit by flickering monitors.

She got closer. The image was of Rhys. He was bound to a chair, eyes wide and alert, with a figure standing beside him: Michele Turner.

She was older. Thinner. Her hair streaked with grey.

Her expression was disturbingly calm. Sam went back to the door and called the others in.

“What do you think? Could that room be somewhere in this building?”

“I think it’s likely,” Oliver said. “There’s a lot of open brickwork behind Rhys. ”

“I was about to say the same,” Liam added.

“Where? Downstairs, or could he be on this level?”

“There’s a window behind Turner,” Nick said. “Can anyone see outside or is it too dark?”

“Too dark,” Oliver said. “I’d take a punt on it being downstairs. We could always split up,” he suggested.

“No. Not on my watch. Let’s stick together.”

They made their way back down the staircase one by one and searched the rest of the property, one room at a time, with Sam leading the way as usual.

The building was in dire need of either refurbishment or even demolition.

Sam followed her instincts and aimed for the rear of the property, assuming it would give the killer an access point.

Another metal door lay ahead of her. She tried the handle; the door was unlocked.

She turned to address the team, held her finger to her lips once more, then she pushed open the door.

Bingo! She gasped and whispered his name, “Rhys. Are you all right?” As far as she could tell, he was alone.

Sam sprinted across the room and dropped to her knees beside him. “My God, what have they done to you?”

“Sam, be careful,” he warned. His gaze drifted to the right.

Turner stepped out of the shadows and laughed. “Well, this is a surprise, Inspector. I guess we underestimated your resilience and capabilities.”

“Who’s we ? Let him go. Why are you doing this to him?”

“All will be revealed in good time. Stand up,” Turner ordered.

Sam hesitantly did as she was instructed. She glanced around her, sensing there was someone else in the room with them, possibly hidden in the shadows. She rested one hand on Rhys’s shoulder, assuring him to trust her.

Suddenly, when she least expected it, another person emerged. A man.

Sam gasped a second time. “What the… you? Why?”

Detective Gareth Penn, the lead investigator on the Pendle House sex scandal.

He was now retired from the Force. He’d been highly decorated throughout his career and well respected by his colleagues and superiors.

How had it come to this—him kidnapping people and killing those involved in the investigation? Anger welled up inside.

He moved to stand next to Michele, syringe in hand, his smile pure evil. “They silenced us, Inspector Cobbs. Covered it up. Brushed the truth under years and years of red tape. But we remember. We remember every scream those children let out. Every secret buried.”

Michele swallowed and nodded. “They think justice comes from the reports that were filed. We couldn’t stand it any longer. Our aim was to bring truth with pain. It’s the only thing these people know: inflicting pain on others.”