Before Another War

Chapter Eight

The girl wouldn't stop shaking, too terrified to move. The police snapped into action, working to disperse the crowd and forming a protective ring around her. Morgan was in charge so she was the first to approach. 

She crept towards the girl, keeping her hands in plain sight.

'Sapphire?' she said, asking her name.

The girl nodded meekly, her hands quivering with the weight of the pistol. 

'Could you put that onto the floor for me?'

She didn't understand. Sapphire could tell the woman had said her name, but not much else. Nonetheless, Morgan had done just enough to coax her out of her trance. Sapphire glanced down, shocked to see what she was holding. She'd been so gripped by terror that she hadn't noticed the gun. She'd been acting on instinct. 

Cautiously, Sapphire set the weapon on the ground, terrified it might go off. As soon as the gun connected with the carpet, the police moved in. One brave officer snatched up the pistol and Morgan stepped towards Sapphire. 

Meanwhile, Alex had been jostling to keep her position at the front of the crowd. She had to know what was going on. The poor girl. For a fleeting moment, Alex thought about her own baby. How would she feel if that was her child? I have to talk to her.

The crowd had mostly gone now, and, unfortunately, Clive spotted Alex before she could get too close. He looked dead at her, the frustration showing in his face.

'Please let us deal with this, Miss.'

'Let me talk to her.' Alex didn't know what she was doing. But maybe Sapphire would know something about this 'jewel' they had to find.

'Look, we've been here already. Unless you know the girl, we can't let you through. So with all due respect-'

'Hey, how did you get up here so fast?' asked Matt, appearing beside her. 

Clive glared at him, wishing he was somewhere else.

'Let me talk to her. You lot are scaring her to death,' she pleaded, feeling more confident with Matt by her side.

'For the last time, we cannot-'

'I know her, she's Nadia's kid.' Matt butted in. 'She's deaf, so you won't get anywhere by shouting at her.'

'Oh.' Clive dropped his guard. 'And you can... communicate with her?'

Matt nodded, taking Alex by surprise.

'Stay here, I'll be right back.'

Clive moved off and Alex turned to Matt. The crowd had almost wholly dispersed by now, and the detective was leading Sapphire to Kirk's office to try and hide her from view. 

'How do you know her daughter?' Alex asked.

Matt shrugged. 'I'd babysit sometimes when Nadia was busy, and my cousin's deaf, so I already knew how to sign.' 

Alex found herself smiling. 

'God,' Raf said, breathing hard, just now catching up to them. 'How did you two get through so quickly? I gave up.'

'It was Nadia's daughter,' Matt explained, and Raf's face fell.

'Is she alright? What happened?'

Alex shared a worried glance with Matt. 'She had a gun.'

'Seriously?' 

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