Page 88

Not even anyone you trust.

Chapter 28

8.00 pm Friday

Black Jungle Springs

Gina rolled over from her side to her back and bit her lip, stifling the cry that threatened as her elbow scraped on the rough timber wall beside the bed. Her hands had been bound together; the tie from the day spa bathrobe secured them tightly in front of her pregnant belly.

The first time she had regained consciousness, she’d been on a soft bed in a darkened room. As she looked around frantically, trying to work out where she was, another prick in her arm had dropped her back into the blackness that fogged her mind.

‘I’m so sorry.’ She was sure she heard a husky whisper but the thread of sound faded as the darkness descended again.

Next time, she’d woken enough to lean against the woman who helped her from the bed but Gina had not been strong enough to resist when she’d put her arm around her and quickly walked her to a door. She’d closed her eyes gratefully as she’d been laid down and covered with a soft blanket. The soft fibres tickled her nose as a car door closed quietly but she’d drifted back to sleep.

When she’d woken this time, she’d been lying in a vehicle that bumped and scraped over a winding road. Opening her eyes a crack, she held herself steady as the car swayed from side to side, stifling a cry when the car hit a bump. The roof above her was torn and splattered with drops of what could have been blood. Her stomach roiled and she hitched a breath. As her eyes became accustomed to the faint light, she tilted her head slowly, but all she could see was the back of the stained seat behind her. When she was sure there was no one watching her, she opened her eyes wider and turned her head to the side. A smell of something putrid reached her nose. It was almost dark, but there was just enough light to make out she was in the back of a large vehicle.

‘Are you awake?’ The car slowed a little.

It was Heather from the crèche; she’d recognise that husky voice anywhere. What had she done with Andrew and Binny? Were they all right? Bile burned her throat as nausea threatened to overwhelm her.

‘Where are we?’ Gina’s voice broke. ‘Where are my children?’

‘They’re with Ellie.’

‘Ellie?’ Dio, Ellie is involved in this too? And she had made friends with her?

Gina licked her lips. Her mouth was so dry. ‘What did you give me?’

‘Nothing bad. Don’t worry. It was just something to put you to sleep for a while. I’m sorry I had to do this.’

‘What are you doing?’

‘Please don’t be frightened.’

Gina tried to sit up but a cramp seized her lower back. She lay back and took a deep breath.

‘It’s going to be all right. Just stay calm.’ Heather’s voice was firm.

Gina’s body slid back a little as the vehicle traversed a steep incline and she closed her eyes again.

Where were they going? Was this man going to be there? It had to be the one who had threatened David.

Ellie? What did Ellie have to do with it?

‘Are you really sure my children are safe?’ Gina’s voice cracked; her mouth was dry and she needed water.

‘Yes, Ellie will look after them.’

Another few minutes and the car rolled to a stop. She closed her eyes as the car door slammed shut. The door at the back of the wagon opened with a squeak.

Gina didn’t resist when Heather held her ankles and gently pulled her along on her back until her legs hung over the rear of the car. She pushed herself up on her elbow.

‘You’re going to have to stand up and walk.’

‘I haven’t got any shoes.’

‘It’s all right. It’s only a little way on the grass. I’ll keep an eye out for snakes.’