Chapter 83

Chapter 83 begins with Amy hiding in the boot of Gary Gough’s Land Rover, as he drives her towards London. Gary is on his way to a lunch meeting with an amphetamine dealer from Liverpool, which provides a convenient excuse for the detour. Amy remains hidden, aware that the police are actively searching for her in Axley and nearby areas. The previous night, an officer had knocked on Gary’s door, and he managed to redirect the inquiry by using the name of his house, “No Comment,” an intricately carved log that Amy had never noticed before. This tactic helps him avoid drawing attention and gives Amy the breathing room she needs to remain out of sight. As they drive along the M3, Amy stays hidden, feeling a mix of discomfort and surprising calmness in the confines of the boot.

Although she could technically get out of the boot at any point, Amy finds it surprisingly comfortable. Gary, ever the considerate driver, sends her a text from the front seat, checking on her well-being. She responds with a thumbs-up and a “Zzz,” signaling that she’s fine and preferring to remain undisturbed. Despite her unconventional position, Amy feels a sense of guilt for sending Steve and Rosie to Dubai without her. She knows it’s necessary to stay out of sight, though, especially since any new evidence related to the crimes could put her at risk. The more she thinks about it, the more her fear grows about being implicated in the crimes. Her only hope now lies in finding out the identity of François Loubet and bringing an end to his involvement in everything that has gone wrong.

Amy’s thoughts also turn to Steve and Rosie, who are in Dubai together. She feels uneasy about their time apart from her, unsure how they will manage without her calming presence. Gary plans to drop Amy off at the underground parking of Maximum Impact, where she’ll stay for the night. Tomorrow, she and Jeff will go over the François Loubet files together, though Amy feels apprehensive. Neither she nor Jeff is particularly skilled at dealing with such complex files, and the task ahead looms heavy on her mind. As the drive continues, Amy’s concern grows about what might happen next, especially as she tries to stay ahead of any potential dangers.

While still hidden in the boot, Amy discovers a metal case containing two handguns, which gives her a sense of both power and caution. She texts Gary, asking if she can take one for protection, and he quickly responds with a thumbs-up and a gun emoji, giving her permission. With both guns now in her possession, Amy feels a little more secure, knowing that she has some form of protection in case the situation turns dire. Her mind continues to race, considering all the angles and risks of her current situation. The immediate concern is not only escaping the police but also staying ahead of whatever François Loubet might do next.

In addition to her personal concerns, Amy is also worried about Steve and his stay with Adam at the villa. The two seemed somewhat uncomfortable when they realized it would be just the two of them, and this left Amy wondering about what might happen in their private time together. Although Rosie had offered Steve a room at her hotel, Amy had insisted that he spend time with Adam, believing it would be beneficial for father and son to reconnect. Even so, she finds herself wondering what kind of conversations will unfold between them, particularly regarding Debbie, a subject they always seem to avoid when together. As the Land Rover nears London, Amy hopes that Steve and Adam have finally begun to talk about her, sensing that this unresolved topic has been lingering between them for far too long.