“Daleigh, I need you to get out of the woods. I need to get you out of here.”
“Ryan, I just heard a scream. Something’s going on.” Fear strained her voice.
“That’s why you need to get out.”
“I think Thorn is involved in all of this, Ryan. Whoever killed my dad had some type of friendship with him. My dad and Thorn had a falling out only weeks before his death. My dad was trying to find the truth.”
“Daleigh, listen to me. You need to run. Fast. Hard.”
“It’s okay, Ryan. I’m trying to play it safe. I called the police. RJ is on his way.”
The sinking feeling in his gut grew deeper. “Daleigh, don’t talk to RJ.”
“What was that? Here someone comes now. I’ll talk to you later, Ryan.”
“No, don’t—” It was too late. She’d already hung up.
He plunged into the woods, desperate to find her before she became another victim.
***
“RJ, how’d you find me so fast?”
“I just happened to be nearby.” He stepped from the shadows. He wasn’t wearing his uniform, but he did have a gun at his waist. “They called me to check things out.”
“You must have been really close. Thank goodness. I heard the scream again.”
“A scream? Where?” He only stared at Daleigh, though. Why didn’t his head swivel around, looking for the source of the sound?
She pointed to the river, pushing away her doubts. “It came from that direction. I know it was a woman screaming, RJ. I’m certain it wasn’t a coyote.”
“What are you doing out here anyway?”
She shrugged, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. Why wasn’t he going to check out the sound? Didn’t he realize that someone could be in trouble? “I heard something. I was worried.”
He stepped closer, his eyes seeming darker than usual. “I thought you said you just heard the scream. Yet you’re in the middle of the woods. You’re either fast or you were already out here.”
The skin on her neck prickled. “I’m staying at your dad’s place, so I wasn’t far away.”
“What are you really doing out here, Daleigh?” He stepped closer.
Daleigh fought the panic that wanted to emerge. She touched the base of her collarbone, realizing her throat burned. “The question is, why aren’t you searching for the source of that scream? Someone could be hurt and need help.”
“Why couldn’t you mind your own business, Daleigh? Just stop after Danny Harris was arrested?” His voice became a growl.
She backed up, her shoulder hitting the bristly bark of a tree. “What do you mean? I came back here for the benefit concert.”
“You came back to snoop some more.”
Tears stung her eyes. “Did you kill my father?”
“That would have been me,” a new voice said.
Daleigh turned toward the sound. Just then, someone stepped through the darkness and joined RJ. Daleigh sucked in a breath. “Henry?” she whispered. “You killed my dad?”
Henry shrugged. That’s when Daleigh saw the gun in his hand also. Cold terror rushed through her.
“I didn’t mean to kill your dad, Daleigh. He was all set to go to the authorities, though. I couldn’t let that happen. One thing led to another. Push led to shove. You know the drill.” He spoke as casually as if he’d just taken his car into the shop after a fender bender.
“You were his friend. He trusted you.” Accusation stained her voice.
“Friends don’t try to report other friends.” Henry’s gaze locked onto Daleigh’s, a new emotion in his voice. Vengeance.
The scream ripped through the air again. Daleigh’s blood went ice cold. What was going on?
***
Ryan heard the scream. Was that Daleigh? He pushed himself even harder, desperate to find the woman he loved.
He loved.
He knew it was true.
But now he had to tell her that.
He watched each step, realizing that even a twig snapping could alert them to his presence. He slowed as he heard voices in the distance, pacing closer until he could make out the words.
“What are we going to do with her?” The voice was clearly RJ’s.
“There’s going to be a terrible accident down by the river. It will be no surprise. Anyone could see you were melancholy since your father died and your boyfriend broke up with you. I’ve heard rumor that your label is about to drop you also. Poor thing.”
“You know nothing about me,” Daleigh hissed.
Ryan hovered behind the tree. In the distance, he could see RJ, Daleigh, and Henry. RJ’s gun was pointed at Daleigh, who stood with her back against a tree. “I know you’re extremely bright. Too bright for your own good. You are a lot like your father.”
“I take that as a compliment.” Daleigh raised her chin.
“He caught me driving down the road one night. The cover flew off the back of my truck, and he saw my moonshine equipment in the back. Threatened to turn me in. I told him I was going to come clean.”
“His life was worth more than whatever profit you got from your illegal alcohol.” Emotion strained her voice.
Henry shrugged. “It’s slightly more complicated than that, but no need to share too many details. Let’s just say that he came to check things out at my place. He got a little too nosy. Tried to be a hero.”
“You have a respectable business. This wonderful property left to you by your family. Why moonshine?” Daleigh asked. Daleigh pulled off her waders, talking as she did so. Was she getting ready to run? Ryan prayed everything would play out as it should, and that no one would get hurt.
“For the money. The power. The family legacy.”
“Who’s screaming in these woods? You’re obviously in more trouble than just moonshining. You’re in more trouble than just murder, for that matter.”
Good girl. Buy all the time you can.
Ryan remained behind a tree, just out of sight and trying to figure out his best move. The gleam of a gun in RJ’s hand reminded him that he didn’t have much time.
Henry pointed at Daleigh. “Let’s take a trip to the river.”
Daleigh shook her head. Even from where Ryan stood, he could see her fingers digging into the tree bark behind her. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“We’ll see about that,” RJ grumbled. He grabbed her arm.
“You don’t want to leave bruises,” Daleigh argued. “The medical examiner will notice them and will know foul play was involved.”
“You do your research. I’ll make sure you’re so bruised from your fall that they won’t notice. Now, come on.”
If Ryan was going to do something, he had to do it now.
He lunged from the woods and knocked RJ onto the ground. The man’s eyes widened.
“Daleigh, run!” Ryan shouted.
Just as the words left his mouth, gunfire filled the air.
Pain pierced through him, and all he could do was pray.
***
Daleigh ducked before another branch could slap her face. The woods surrounded her, reached for her, sucked the breath out of her. The darkness was an enemy all in itself, and right now the nighttime stalked her. She couldn’t escape its death grip.
The trees blended together, morphing into an endless landscape that repeated itself over and over. Where was she? Which direction was help?
She couldn’t afford to stop and gather her thoughts. The men were on her trail. She could hear their footsteps in the distance, only moments behind her. Quick and urgent. In pursuit.
A bullet flew past her shoulder. Her breath caught again and perspiration invaded her skin like an army of fear moving in for the kill.
Her gaze skittered in front of her as her steps faltered for a moment. A fallen tree seemed familiar, like she’d passed it before. Could she be running right back into the hands of her father’s killer? Right back into the den of terror she’d discovered? Right back to the point where her life flashed in front
of her eyes?
No, she couldn’t think like that. She had to keep moving. Keep fighting to live.
She dodged a cypress tree. A broken, low-lying branch snagged her skin, and pain ripped through her thigh.
She yelped, biting back any more telltale groans. She couldn’t let the men find her. She chomped down in an effort to remain silent. Blood soaked her taste buds.
She had to keep moving. With one hand, she covered the wound on her leg. Something wet and warm saturated her fingers. Her blood. Her throat went dry at the thought.
Run, Daleigh. Run. Her life depended on getting away.
She limped forward, her breath now coming in ragged gasps. How many more people had died? How many people had been casualties in this lust after money and power?
Everyone she thought she could trust had let her down. Well, almost everyone. Her heart lurched as unfinished conversations slammed into her mind.
A shout echoed behind her. Her heart stuttered as fear wrapped its talons around her again. She had to keep moving, despite the pain, despite the fear.
Two more steps, and her foot slipped. The ground disappeared beneath her.
The river, she realized.
She’d reached the river, and its black depths waited to swallow her.
She gasped, realizing she might not have the strength to fight the watery grave awaiting her.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Just as the water swallowed Daleigh, someone reached in and grabbed her arm. Her skin scratched the root-lined shoreline as she landed on marshy banks. She sputtered as her body forced out the water in her lungs.
She didn’t have time to relax, to slow down. Her adrenaline pumped through her, warning her that danger could still be close.
She glanced up. The watcher stared at her. The man from the black truck. He’d saved her.
But what now?
“You’re going to be fine,” he mumbled, bending down beside her.
“Who are you?” Deranged fan? Moonshiner? Paparazzi?
He shook his head. “I’m Ben Maxwell with the ATF. I’ve been keeping my eye on this operation for a long time. Wherever I went to find answers, you were there.”
“That would explain a lot.” She pointed to the woods behind him. “Ryan . . .”
“He’s going to be fine. Chief Rollins is here, as well as members of an FBI taskforce.”
“The woman . . . screaming . . .”
“It’s okay. We’ve got the girls, and we’re taking them to the hospital.”
“The girls?” She pushed herself up on the soggy ground and coughed again.
“Moonshine was just the tip of the iceberg. Henry Snelling has a hunting cabin out here where he was housing three women he’d trafficked in from overseas.”
“Trafficked in . . .” She shook her head, the horror of the situation coming over. “No.”
“It’s true. The man got in over his head. He’s been moonshining for years, but when his wife left him, something seemed to snap inside him. He’s mixed up in some crazy schemes and will be going away for a long time.”
“He trafficked women in? Are they okay? How could he do that?”
“One of the girls got away and ended up at Fanny’s house. We believe RJ killed them both in order to cover up what was going on.”
Just then, Ryan hobbled out of the woods. Daleigh dragged herself from the ground and started to run toward him, but faltered in her steps. Things had ended between them. Where did they stand now?
They both stared at each other a moment, tension stretched between them. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, EMTs ushered them out of the woods.
Silence stretched between them as the paramedics asked them questions about their well-being. Two ambulances waited at the edge of the woods. As they were being led in different directions, Daleigh looked over her shoulder. “Thank you, Ryan. You saved my life.”
Was this it? Was this the reason why Ryan had been brought back into her life? Perhaps he wasn’t supposed to be a permanent fixture, either. Why did her heart feel so heavy at the thought?
“Anytime, Daleigh. Any time.”
His tight smile only left her heart more torn than ever.
***
By the time Ryan was released from the hospital and wandered down to find Daleigh, she was gone. He paused outside her empty room and leaned against the wall, letting his head hit the plaster behind him.
She’d left? Without even a goodbye? He’d really ruined things, hadn’t he?
“Ryan,” someone called his name.
He looked up and saw the ATF agent coming toward him, his hand extended. “Thanks for the information you gave us.”
“Anything I can do to help.”
“This whole mess is finally finding some resolution.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I’m still having trouble fathoming something like this happening in Hertford.”
“It can happen anywhere.” He took a step away. “Get some rest, and we’ll be in touch.”
Ryan nodded and started to walk away when a nurse stopped him. She handed him a piece of paper. “Daleigh McDermott asked me to give you this.”
He stared at the paper a moment before nodding and stepping against the wall to unfold it. His throat went dry at her words.
Ryan, thanks for all you’ve done. I didn’t want to draw out our goodbye any more than necessary. Take care, and maybe I’ll see you at the concert in a few hours.
A few hours? He glanced at his watch. It was later than he’d thought. By the time the police had questioned him and the doctor had bandaged up the cut from where the bullet had brushed his arm, the hours had slipped past.
He crumpled the letter. This was his fault. He’d made it clear that they wouldn’t work. Now how could he make it clear to Daleigh that they could?
***
Daleigh adjusted the microphone once more. Her leg ached and the pain medication made her head heavy. Still, she was thankful to be alive.
The doctor had told her Ryan was okay. She’d wanted to stop by and see him, but the thought of being near him after their breakup weighed too heavy on her mind. Why put herself through something so unnecessary? Instead, she’d left the note, which she knew was a cowardly way out. Still, a girl had to protect her heart sometimes.
“How’s that sound to you, Daleigh?” one of her techs asked.
She squinted against the early afternoon sun. “I could use some more guitar in my monitors.”
“You got it.”
People had already begun filing in. They set up their lawn chairs and blankets in the grassy area of the park. She searched the crowds. Was Ryan here?
Willa and Trevor sat in the front row. Trevor raised his thumb and offered a wide grin. Daleigh gave him a smile and thumbs-up in return.
When Daleigh returned to the stage several minutes later, she was pleased to see the entire park was filled. If she had to guess, there were at least six hundred people who’d come out to support Trevor, including her sister and her family.
On stage, she felt at home as she began to play some of her more popular songs.
She paused at one point in her set and sat on a stool, ready to slow down for a moment. “This is one of my favorite parts of doing these concerts. You see, people are what inspire me the most when it comes to writing songs. Now, I want to hear your stories. Does anyone have a great love story they’d like to share with the crowds here?”
Several people raised their hands. She called a few up on stage. One was an eighty-year-old man who’d been married to the love of his life for sixty years. Another was a woman who’d lost her husband to brain cancer. A couple came on stage who’d dated in high school, only to be reunited twenty years later.
As she was wrapping this portion up, a voice called from the crowd. “I have a love story I’d like to talk about,” a deep voice said.
“I wish I could listen to all of them,” she insisted.
That’s when Ryan stepped out of the crowd. “I th
ink you’ll like my story.”
Daleigh’s heart stammered a beat. “Do you?”
The crowd cheered, urging her to let him tell his story. She let them yell for a minute before grinning and trying to get them to hush.
Finally, she nodded. “Why don’t you come on up here then?”
Ryan bounded onto the stage, his gaze not leaving Daleigh’s. She could hardly breathe as she waited to hear what he had to say. She pushed the microphone his way, her throat tight with anticipation. “Have at it.”
His gaze remained on her. “Once upon a time, there was a man who fell in love with a princess.” He paused and the crowd cheered again. “Only the man was afraid to take the princess away from her kingdom. He was afraid she would resent him for doing it. He knew she was destined for great things, so he pretended like he didn’t care for her.”
The crowd booed, breaking the otherwise tense moment. Daleigh didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. So instead, she waited for Ryan to finish.
“But the man realized he was an idiot. He realized that the best things in life need to be worked at and required sacrifice on both sides.” Ryan stepped closer. “He realized he would do anything for a second chance with the princess of country music.”
He caught her off guard and she hardly knew what to say. She gripped her guitar, the audience suddenly just a memory as Ryan’s eyes mesmerized her.
“Kiss her!” someone from the crowd yelled.
She cleared her throat. “Excuse me, sir, but love stories are supposed to have happy endings. Your ending doesn’t give me very many warm fuzzies.”
“I’m hoping you can help me change that.”
Her heart seemed to stop beating. “How can I do that?”
“By giving me a chance to make things right. I think I loved you before I ever knew you, Daleigh McDermott. Between your music and listening to your dad tell stories about you, you seemed like a friend long before we met face-to-face. Once we did meet, I knew you were the woman of my dreams. I love you, Daleigh McDermott, and I want you and me to have a happily ever after together.”
Home Before Dark (Christian Romantic Suspense) (Carolina Moon Book 1) Page 22