Free Snatched From Home: What Would You Do To Save Your Children? (DI Harry Evans Book 1) by Graham Smith Page A

having showers?’
    ‘I feel sweaty. That’s all.’
    She hated lying to her brother, but he was too young to understand. Samantha well remembered the conversation her mother had had with her some years ago about sex. It wasn’t a conversation she wanted to have with Kyle. She knew that if she explained to him what had happened downstairs, he’d be terrified for her.
    ‘Sam.’
    Kyle was looking at her face. She could see in his eyes that he knew she was holding back on him. Such was the strength of their bond they both knew he would accept her lie.
    Wise beyond his years, Kyle knew when to press matters and when to let them go.
    ‘What game are you playing?’ The question was designed to change the subject and it worked. Kyle bounded across the room and showed her the box.
    ‘It’s an eighteen.’ Looking at the box in detail she recognised the title as one of the most popular video gaming franchises.
    ‘It’s brilliant. You drive around in different cars. You can even get guns to kill people.’
    Samantha felt she ought to persuade him to play something more suitable, but in their current situation his playing an eighteen-rated video game was the least of their worries.
    As the game was for one player, Samantha sat on the mattress watching him while thoughts of Blair’s predatory eyes ran through her mind.
    Kyle paused his game and went to the bathroom only to return a few seconds later.
    ‘Why is your new dress in the bin?’
    Samantha fought the urge to snatch the costume from his hands. ‘It doesn’t fit very well. Put it back in the bin.’
    With him seated in front of the TV, shooting the characters he didn’t run over, she focused her mind on trying to combat her revulsion.
    She recalled the holiday she’d enjoyed last autumn. Seven days of Mediterranean sun with her best friend. Six nights of clubbing in micro-skirts that she hadn’t dared bring home lest her mother see them. Their days spent by the pool or lying on the beach, they’d revelled in wearing bikinis that had less material than the underwear she now wore. Remembering the way they had courted gazes from the lads they saw gave her strength, but didn’t change one simple fact.
    Back on Ibiza, she was in control. She could cover up, walk away, or as she had on one occasion, allow things to progress further. In this house, she had no control. The men held all the cards. She was at their mercy.
    Assessing the threats, she knew Blair was the one to worry about. The others had done the typical male thing of having sly looks. Blair, on the other hand, was blatant with his lecherous behaviour.
    ‘Sam, look.’ Kyle held a small white tooth in his hand. ‘Do you think the tooth fairy will come here if I put it under the mattress?’
    Samantha mentally searched her pockets before answering. Realising she didn’t have any money on her, she gave a little shrug. ‘I don’t think the tooth fairy comes unless you put it under your own pillow.’
    Kyle’s chin wobbled as he fought back tears. ‘Are you sure? Jamie was at his granny’s house and he got two pounds instead of one.’
    Samantha lifted a corner of the mattress. ‘We can try. But if the tooth fairy doesn’t come here then I’m sure she’ll leave the money under your pillow at home.’

Chapter 14
    Tuesday
     
    ‘Right then. What we have on the robberies is as follows. Firstly, they have all been done without damage to property or environs. Secondly, there are no obvious suspects yet. We’ve had word back on the dabs and they are all accounted for. None of the staff have a record except for Fat Larry who was done for assault when he foiled a break-in fifteen years ago. Thirdly, whoever is behind these crimes is fucking with us: all of the safes were left in the closed position. This does not take much time but does point the finger at people who either had the keys or codes to the safes. My hunch is that the thief is trying to deflect the blame elsewhere. Fourthly, some of these