by Delores Fossen, Rachel Lee, Carol Ericson, Tyler Anne Snell, Rita Herron
Choking back a cry, she eased into the room and scanned the space. Just as it had been when she’d gone to bed. She inched toward the French doors, holding her breath with every step. When she reached the curtain, she summoned her courage and gently pushed it aside just an inch to look out into the forest.
A tree branch snapped off in the wind. Storm clouds rumbled. A few feet into the woods and she thought she spotted a light. Just a tiny pinpoint, no bigger than the point of a sewing needle.
A cigarette? A lighter?
Heart racing, she blinked to clear her vision and narrowed her eyes. Yes, there it was. A small light flickering against the darkness.
And it was moving. Coming closer.
Her hands trembled. Her legs felt weak. But Tess’s face flashed behind her eyes, and she raised her gun. Come on, Robert. I’m waiting. If you’re out there, just try getting to me.
She steeled herself as she watched the light move closer and closer and closer. Then it was in the backyard.
She glanced down at her phone for a millisecond. Considered calling Griff.
There was no time. She had to handle this herself. Get rid of Robert forever.
* * *
GRIFF THREW THE truck into Park in front of Mitzi’s.
Jacob’s police car was parked in the drive, the lights in the house’s interior shining. He hit the ground at a fast walk, then knocked at the door. “It’s me, Jacob.”
Jacob met him at the door. “Don’t touch anything. I called for an Evidence Response Team to process the house. If Ginny’s stalker kidnapped Mitzi, we have to follow the book. Any evidence we collect might help put him away.”
“Got it.” Griff wiped a hand over his sweaty hair. “I think the fire at Mitzi’s was arson. We found a can of lighter fluid in the kitchen. He probably turned on the gas stove and lit up the place.”
“How much damage?” Jacob asked.
“Mostly the kitchen and her office. Except for smoke and water damage, the front dining room is okay.” If they found Mitzi and she was safe, she could rebuild.
He just prayed she was alive.
Jacob gestured for Griff to follow him. Griff avoided touching the walls or doorway or anything inside. The living area looked undisturbed, lamps and bookshelves and furnishings neatly kept. Cookbooks lined an open shelf beside the window that overlooked the backyard in the kitchen. A collection of pottery in a dusty green color filled one shelf, and a coffee station occupied a corner. A large island with a stainless steel counter completed the room, a cook’s dream. Even the kitchen towels were lined up neatly and evenly on the towel rack on the side of the island.
“Everything looks intact,” he commented.
“Until you reach the bedroom,” Jacob pointed out. “That’s another reason to suspect foul play. She seems particular about her belongings but look in here.”
Jacob gestured to the open doorway into the bedroom, and Griff understood what he meant. The bedding was not only rumpled, but twisted and torn off the bed, dangling as if Mitzi had fought with someone. The bedside lamp was overturned, the glass base shattered. Blood dotted the floor beside it.
Had she grabbed it to defend herself?
Or had her abductor cut himself?
Jacob pointed to the rustic pine floor and the floral rug at the foot of the brass bed. More blood. “Looks like they fought, and he dragged her from the bed. Whoever was cut bled, but it’s not a significant amount, so hopefully Mitzi’s still alive.”
“But for how long?” Griff grumbled.
“If we can match the blood type or DNA to Bouldercrest, we can confirm we’re dealing with the same perp.” Jacob narrowed his eyes. “Do you know if Mitzi was seeing anyone?”
“I have no idea,” Griff said. “But her coworkers at the café might.”
Jacob heaved a breath. “I’ll canvass her neighbors and talk to her staff.”
Griff glanced into the bathroom. It was just as neat as the other room. Whatever had happened had occurred in the bedroom.
A sick feeling knotted his stomach. The protective order Ginny had issued against Bouldercrest had failed. Griff stiffened his spine.
He would not fail her.
“If Robert abducted Mitzi, why set the fire at her café instead of her house?” he asked.
Jacob furrowed his brows. “To divide our manpower. We need people investigating here and at the café.”
“Smart.” Another thought occurred to Griff. “If he discovered Ginny is with me, he might want to lure me away.” God. And it had worked.
“I have to get back to Ginny.” He could call but he hoped she was sleeping and safe and sound.
“I have to wait on the ERT,” Jacob said. “But if you get there and see him, call me for backup.” Jacob pressed a hand to Griff’s chest. “This guy is dangerous, Griff. Don’t try to take him down yourself.”
He wasn’t a weakling. If Bouldercrest was there and threatening Ginny, he’d do whatever necessary to protect her.
“You will call me, won’t you?” Jacob asked in the big brother tone he’d used to order him around when he was a kid. Jacob still thought it would work.
He almost laughed, but simply nodded. He didn’t have time to argue. If Robert had kidnapped Mitzi, she was in danger. Jacob needed to work on finding her.
And if the bastard had set the fire to lure Griff away and divide law enforcement, he might be at Griff’s place now.
Heart pounding, he hurried through the house and outside to his truck. He fired up the engine, tires squealing as he raced from her driveway and sped toward home.
Traffic was practically nonexistent in the middle of the night, except for a couple of truckers, and he maneuvered around them and wove onto the winding road to his cabin. With every mile, his fear intensified.
If Bouldercrest had kidnapped Mitzi, where would he take her? Would he kill her right away or keep her for his own sick pleasure? Where would he hide out?
Poor Mitzi. She was an innocent in all this. She didn’t deserve to be hurt or used as a pawn in a demented man’s twisted game. And she certainly didn’t deserve to die.
Neither did Ginny.
His phone buzzed. The alarm company. He snatched it and connected.
“Your alarm has been activated. You have ninety seconds to turn it off or 9-1-1 will be alerted.”
Someone had triggered the alarm. He had to get to Ginny...
* * *
GINNY FROZE AT the sound of the alarm trilling.
She’d been staring at the backyard. The light was gone. No...on the steps. Moving upward.
Her hand wobbled. She pressed her finger over the trigger. Aimed.
Suddenly a loud noise startled her. Something hit the glass in the French doors. Instead of breaking, they rattled.
Then she saw Robert. His face pressed against the glass.
Chapter Seventeen
Griff barreled up the mountain road to his cabin, scanning the road and woods for any signs of Ginny’s stalker. He phoned the security company and asked them to hold off on a police car, that he was almost home.
If he needed one, he’d call Jacob.
Darkness bathed the forest, night sounds echoing in the wilderness offering endless places for a predator to hide. His headlights caught sight of an animal in the road. A stray dog. He swerved to avoid running over it, tires churning on the graveled embankment until he righted his truck. Another mile, and he sped up his driveway.
No sign of trouble as he approached. The light in the guest room was off. Only the soft glow of the kitchen light above the window shone. He couldn’t see his deck from the front, but he didn’t spot a car or other vehicle on the property. But Bouldercrest could have come up from the woods or the river. Canoes and other small boats traveled behind the property and could put in at any number of docks or places along the way
.
He flipped off his lights, not wanting to alert Bouldercrest if he was waiting in ambush. He slowed and parked in front of the house, then reached inside the dash of his truck and removed his pistol. A second later, he threw open the door, eased along the bushes toward his porch then climbed the steps as quietly as possible.
When he reached the porch landing, he peered through the window to the side. The light in the kitchen was still on, the fire in the fireplace glowing. Everything seemed still. Quiet. No movement.
Holding his breath, he punched in the security code to quiet it, then unlocked the door and eased into the entryway. He inched toward the living area/kitchen, keeping his gun by his side and ready.
Just as he passed the bench by the front door, he glanced toward the guest-bedroom door. It was open. Where was Ginny?
Heart hammering again, he crept toward the living room and scanned it. His pulse jumped when he finally spotted her. She was crouched behind the big club chair, a gun poised and aimed at him, her eyes wide and startled looking. Even in the shadows, he could feel waves of fear rolling off her.
“Ginny,” he threw up his hands in warning. “Don’t shoot. It’s Griff.”
Her hand trembled in the firelight, but she didn’t budge. “Ginny, listen. It’s me. The alarm went off and I came back to check on you.” He stowed his gun in the back of his jeans, then reached out his hand and slowly moved toward her.
“You’re safe now. Please put the gun down,” he said in a low, soothing voice. Another step, another inch. Her breathing rattled in the tense silence.
“Look at me,” he murmured. “It’s me, Griff.”
She blinked then his face must have finally registered, because she lowered her hand and let her gun hang to her side. He hurried toward her, knelt in front of her and eased the weapon from her hand where she was still clenching it.
His jaw tightened as he desperately tried to control his rage. He didn’t like any stranger on his property, especially one who preyed on women.
“You’re safe,” he whispered as he cupped her face between his hands and forced her to look into his eyes.
“No,” she said, her voice cracking. “He was here. He was outside. I saw him.”
* * *
GINNY THOUGHT SHE could handle facing Robert, but she’d frozen up when she’d seen his sinister face through the window.
Dammit, she had to figure out a way to get the upper hand. Not to let him paralyze her.
“He was here?” Griff asked. “Where?”
“Out back. I saw a cigarette burning. Then movement. He crossed the backyard and just walked up onto the deck.”
“Bold move.” Griff rubbed her arms gently. “You’re sure. You saw his face?”
She murmured yes. “He threw something against the French doors. It banged the glass.”
“Did he try to break in?”
“No,” she whispered. “The alarm was blaring, and he just smiled...then disappeared.”
Griff frowned.
“He likes to play games,” Ginny explained. “Taunt me. He did it before. Wanted to show me he could get close to me without being caught.”
A tense second passed. “Let me see what he threw at the glass.” He walked over to the doors.
Ginny followed him, anxious to know if Robert had really left or if he was lurking in the shadows. Maybe he thought she’d check outside to see what he’d thrown, and he’d snatch her.
Griff pushed the curtain aside and peered through the darkness, scanning the deck.
But he didn’t see anyone. The woods were thick with trees and night shadows though, so it was possible he was still watching.
Although why hide in the woods when he’d accomplished his goal? If he’d wanted to attack her or hurt her tonight, he would have broken in when he was on the deck.
Griff unlocked the door, opened it and stepped outside. Ginny hugged the doorjamb and kept her eyes peeled for an attack while he shone a flashlight across the deck. His body tensed as he knelt. Then he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, wrapped it around his hand and used it to pick up something on the deck floor.
“What is it?” Ginny asked as he stepped back inside.
Griff opened his palm and her pulse jumped. At first sight, it appeared to simply be one of the smooth river rocks. But as he spread his fingers, she noticed a piece of paper wrapped around it. Griff eased away the rubber band holding it in place, revealing a strand of hair.
“Oh, my God. Is that what I think it is?” she asked in a raw whisper.
“I think so.” He angled the note for her to read it, and her stomach churned.
Mitzi says hello. Don’t make me kill her.
* * *
GRIFF STARED AT the message in silence. He’d never met Robert Bouldercrest, but he hated the creep. He was not only dangerous, but he was downright cruel.
“He has Mitzi,” Ginny said, her voice hoarse with emotions. She grabbed his arm. “Did you know, Griff?”
He made a low sound in his throat. “I wasn’t sure,” he said. “She wasn’t at the café where the fire began. Jacob went to her house to look for her, but she was gone.”
“Gone?”
“It looks like there was a struggle in her bedroom.” He closed the door and locked it again. He drew the curtains, blocking out the sightline of the mountains and woods where Robert had been skulking.
But the message on that damn rock was imprinted on his brain. And Mitzi’s hair...what had he done to her? Was there still time to save her? If so, how?
Ginny looked frightened and angry at the same time. He couldn’t blame her.
“Let me call Jacob,” Griff said. “He needs to put this stone into evidence and verify the hair belongs to Mitzi. And Liam can get people searching the area for Bouldercrest.”
Ginny’s voice warbled. “He wants to torture me by making me imagine the evil things he’s doing to her.”
Griff muttered a curse. The man was an animal. And he knew Mitzi was with him now.
Griff rubbed her arms again. “Sit by the fire and warm up.”
She sank onto the chair and dropped her head into her hands as he phoned Jacob. “I’m still at Mitzi’s with the ERT,” Jacob said. “What’s going on?”
Griff explained about Robert’s visit and the gift he’d left for Ginny. “She’s certain it’s him, and that he has Mitzi. We need to find her fast, Jacob.”
“I’ll call Liam. We’ll get men combing the woods behind your house and set up roadblocks.”
“He’s not trying to get out of town,” Griff muttered in disgust. “He wants to torment Ginny by keeping Mitzi close by.”
“You’re right. I’ll organize a search team with the volunteer deputies in the county,” Jacob said. “They can start searching abandoned buildings and cabins in the area. Bouldercrest has to be holed up somewhere. And we’re damn well going to find him.”
But would they do that before he killed Mitzi? Griff chewed the inside of his cheek to keep from voicing his concern out loud. He certainly didn’t want to in front of Ginny. She was in enough agony already.
“I’ll stop by in the morning to pick up the stone to send to the lab,” Jacob said. “Meanwhile you’d better stay there with Ginny. And keep your alarm system armed.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t leave her alone again.” He didn’t intend to allow Bouldercrest to get to her on his watch.
* * *
THE PROTECTIVENESS IN Griff’s voice warmed Ginny and helped to soothe her frayed nerves. Although anxiety over what was happening to Mitzi continued to nag at her.
Was Robert exacting his rage toward her onto Mitzi?
Griff hung up the phone and slanted her a worried look. “You okay?”
“I am, but Mitzi isn’t.” She paced in front of the fireplace. “I wonder what he’s doing to he
r. If he’ll keep her alive or—”
Griff stroked her back. “Don’t go there, Ginny. I know you’re terrified and I’m afraid for Mitzi, too. But Jacob and Liam will find her.” He exhaled sharply. “Jacob is calling in emergency teams of deputies to search Whistler and its outskirts and Liam is on it. They’ll pass the info on to Fletch so he can check places on the AT where Robert might hole up. We’ll find him.”
“What if we’re not in time?” Panic made it difficult to breathe.
“Think positive,” he said.
“You don’t know Robert like I do.” Ginny shivered. “He’s cold and calculating. He gets pleasure out of inflicting pain.”
“I’m beginning to realize just how depraved he is,” Griff said in a voice tinged with disgust. “And I want to see him pay for what he did to you and Joy and every other woman he hurt.”
“We need to do something. Robert has been playing games with me because he knew my weaknesses. I have to find out his and turn the tables on him.”
Griff’s brows shot up. “That’s a good idea. What do you know about him?”
She searched her memory banks, filtering through the facade he’d presented and the few details he’d accidentally revealed. Were any of them true?
“Not much,” she admitted. “Except that he lost his mother when he was young.”
“Did he say what happened to her?”
She shook her head. “He refused to talk about it. Just said that she was gone and that his father raised him alone. He taught him everything he knew.” A shudder coursed through her, but she stiffened her spine. “I thought he was referring to business, but what if he meant other things?”
“Like how he treated women,” Griff filled in. “Oftentimes abused children become abusers.”
“True,” Ginny said. “The counselor I worked with after I escaped Robert gave me a ton of material to help me understand how an abuser chooses his victims. Predators are experts at reading others’ weaknesses to use against them.”
“He’s violent and lacks self-control,” Griff said. “What if he saw his father behave aggressively with his mother or with another woman?” Griff hesitated. “And the fire. Maybe...”