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I tripped and fell onto the bed Sobbing And when I ed to open my eyes, all I could see was the knife, black handle, silver blade curving and serpentine and razor-sharp, evil The note, a torn scrap of paper and the blood-red ink

I grabbed er cord free, and pressed the “home” button I swiped it to unlock it, then tapped Harris’s name

“Miss St Claire” His voice, cool and cal a second tione—he’s—they…soone, Harris Helpsense and I knew it, but I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think

“Kyrie” His voice cut through my panic “Breathe Take a h ain “I woke up just now Maybe ten one, Harris”

“Where did he go? To the shops, perhaps? Out for coffees?”

“No, Harris! You don’t understand!” I was shrieking, shouting “There’s a note, a fucking note with a godda to understand, Miss St Claire Are you saying someone kidnapped Mr Roth?”

“YES!” I screamed it, so loud and shrill it hurt my throat I had to s and breathe and start over “The note — soh the note into the pillow It’s a wos to ?”

“DO I SOUND LIKE I’M FUCKING JOKING?” I fell forward onto the bed, phone pressed to“Who would do this…who? Why? What do I do, Harris?”

“Is there anything else apart from the knife and the note?”

“No”

“Just those words? No deh I knew, rationally, that Harris couldn’t see me “No No Just the note, just those words His phone, the cars, his clothes…everything It’s all here I’ve looked everywhere, but he’s gone Who took hi to be okay, Miss St Claire We’ll find hi Get dressed, but don’t go anywhere Don’t call anyone No one, do you understand me? Not Layla, not the police, no one”

“Okay”

“Say it Repeat it for o anywhere I won’t call anyone I’ll stay here and wait for you”