Ari groaned, but complied. She wasn’t hungry at the moment—or at least couldn’t feel the pangs—but she would be famished by study group if she didn’t eat now. “Do you think they’re capable of it?”
“Owen and Sam?” Damon asked.
“Yeah.” She took another bite.
He frowned. “I don’t really know them. Neither of them ever really speaks up in the group. But they do say it’s always the quiet ones.”
“It just seems crazy to think about, you know? They’ve been sitting in the group every day while kids have been going missing.”
“And you’re sure of what you overheard?” Damon lifted a brow.
“I’d stake my life on it.”
“Then I’d say it’s a good chance of being them.”
Ariana frowned as she took her last bite of the food. “I should’ve known. We could’ve stopped it. I could’ve done something when I heard them talking, but I didn’t do a thing!”
Damon leaned over and rubbed her shoulders. “You can’t blame yourself. It’s all on them. They made their sick choices.”
Tears stung her eyes. “Stella might die!”
“You know what I think?”
She shook her head, trying to blink the tears away.
“Those two are weasels. They do the bare minimum, and come to think of it, they both make false promises.”
“What do you mean?” A tear slid down her face, and she wiped it away before anyone could see it.
“There have been times they’ve said they would do their work, but they didn’t.”
“So?” She leaned against his firm chest, not wanting him to see her cry.
He ran his palm over her hair. “Maybe they’re doing the same thing now.”
“What do you mean?”
“Lying. They’ve let the other girls go, right?”
Ariana nodded and wiped her eyes, this time smearing makeup on her hand.
“I don’t think they have it in them to kill someone. I mean, I wouldn’t have thought they’d have it in them to kidnap and bury anyone, either. But killing kids takes it to a whole new level.”
The tears wouldn’t stop, and each time she wiped them away, she got more makeup on her hands and face. She sat up and looked at Damon. “I hope you’re right.”
“Oh, Ari.” He pulled her close and rubbed circles on her back. “You aren’t blaming yourself, are you?”
“No.” But she couldn’t ignore the voice in her head telling her she could’ve done something. “But I should’ve told my dad about them the second I heard them. Not waited until I saw him at home. That was stupid!”
Damon leaned back and looked her in the eyes, holding her hands. “None of this is on you, my love. None of it. Do you hear me?”
Ariana nodded but didn’t believe it. Things might be a lot different if she’d done something when she heard them whispering.
Now Stella could die, and she could’ve prevented it.
Damon was saying something, but she couldn’t process it. A pressure headache was building, and more tears were threatening.
How could she get through the rest of the day?
She glanced at the time. The warning bell was going to ring in a few minutes. “I need to fix my makeup. I’ll see you at the study group.”
He gave her a quick kiss. “Don’t blame yourself.”
“I’ll try.”
“It’s not your fault. Even the FBI hasn’t caught them yet.”
“But they weren’t six feet away, hearing them whisper about it.”
He put his hand on her arm. “Ari—”
“I have to go.” She grabbed her bag and raced to the hallway before he could say any more.
The nearest bathroom was packed, so she headed for the next one. Girls were gathered around the mirrors in there, too.
Sighing, she headed for a bathroom down a hallway that was usually fairly empty. She kept her head down, not wanting anyone to see her tears or her smeared makeup.
The bathroom was empty. She raced to the mirror and cringed at the sight. Hopefully she’d kept her face mostly hidden from Damon.
Ariana splashed water on her face, grabbed a paper towel, then wiped off all the makeup.
The warning bell rang.
She was going to be late for class. At this point, she didn’t care. No way would she walk in without makeup. She dug into her bag and applied eyeliner as quickly as possible. Then eyeshadow and mascara. Foundation and cover up.
The final bell.
Now she had two choices. Show up late and risk detention or go to the nurse’s office for her headache. That was her best option. She’d be excused from the tardy.
Before putting her things away, she gave herself a quick once-over. Her eyes were a little bloodshot, but otherwise she looked normal. She felt horrible, but at least nobody would guess by looking at her.
She stuffed everything back into her bag and hurried out of the bathroom.
Someone grabbed her and yanked her back. Her bag fell to the ground.
He covered her mouth and pinned her between him and the wall. He smelled like meat and cheese.
“Stay out of it, or you’ll be next,” he whispered in her ear.
She struggled against him. Tried to speak.
He applied more pressure. “This is your only warning. Obviously, we know where to find you. We can get to you. I could do anything to you I wanted right now. Nod if you agree to back off.”
Ariana struggled harder. All she needed to do was to loosen his grip and then she could punch his face. Then she would not only see him, but the bruise would prove it was him if he got away and was caught later.
But whoever he was, was strong. Held her with a scary force. “Agree, or your parents will be planning your funeral. Just like Stella’s and Miyoko’s parents will be if you don’t.”
Miyoko? Ariana froze. Miyoko was one of her friends from her advanced science class.
He squeezed her harder. “Do you agree?”
She nodded, only to get him to loosen his grip.
“Good girl.” His hot breath clung to her ear.
Ari held still, waiting for him to let go.
He squeezed harder, walked her to the bathroom entrance, then shoved her through the door.
She stumbled and crashed into a sink. It dug into her side. She spun around and raced back into the hallway, and looked around.
Empty.
Her bag was even gone.
She raced down the hall and back the other direction.
He’d gotten away.
And he had everything she needed, including her phone.
Chapter 27
Stella quit hitting and kicking the wood. Her knuckles throbbed and her throat hurt from screaming.
If anyone could hear her, they weren’t going to help. That much was clear.
She felt around for her phone and shone the light around again. Not that it did any good. She was stuck. Buried. The dirt surrounding the box was muffling any noise she made.
Not that it would stop her pounding and yelling again once she gave her body a chance to rest. She would fight with everything in her.
But not all at once.
She looked at her phone’s screen. Still out of range. She moved it around, hoping to get even a little reception.
Nothing.
Stella scooted down as far as she could. But it didn’t do any good.
Those jerks had probably only let her keep her phone because they knew it wouldn’t do her any good beyond giving her light. And if she kept using the device, the light wouldn’t last much longer.
Not that the light mattered. Getting out was the only concern. Maybe even getting cell coverage.
She tapped out a text message explaining what had happened and hit send. Obviously, it did nothing but it would keep trying. And if it managed to get reception, it would send the message.
Stella put it next to her and pushed it as far as it would go. It stopped near her feet.
“Please pick up a signal!”
Sweat beaded around her hairline. Her heart raced, her throat went dry.
She refused to drink the water. It was probably poisoned. She’d have to get desperate before opening the bottles.
After a minute, she nudged the phone. Then again. Waited and moved it. Continued the process until she could reach it with her other hand.
Maybe the text had gone through this time.
She struggled to reach it. Pulled it up and looked at the screen.
It still hadn’t sent.
Stella chucked it to the other end of the box.
Nothing she did mattered. She would only get out if those two jerks let her out. And the fact that they’d buried her in the ground proved they weren’t interested in freeing her.
The stupid box would be the last thing she ever saw.
A lump formed in her throat. She squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to allow any tears to escape.
If she gave up, her captors would win.
She would never let that happen.
Never. Even if that meant dying. She wouldn’t give into fear.
Exhaustion ran through her in waves.
Maybe what she needed was to sleep. Let her body and emotions recover, give her brain a chance to think up some way out.
Stella tried to relax, but every muscle was tense. Her mind raced. The lump grew bigger as tears threatened.
She thought of the yoga classes her mom had dragged her to numerous times. The instructor had taught her relaxation techniques. Would those work under these circumstances?
There was only one way to find out.
Stella imagined herself lying on a sweaty mat instead of inside a box under the soil. She tried to conjure up sounds of relaxing music. Pictured her mom and sister on either side of her. Tried to remember what the instructor had said. Something about letting her mind go? Focusing on each muscle group?
It was so hard to remember, but doing something was better than nothing. She thought about her toes. Wiggled them, trying to convince herself everyone else in the yoga class was doing the same thing.
Scratch, scratch.
Her eyes flew open.
Had she really just heard scratching? Or was that something else her imagination made up?
She held her breath, waiting. Could only hear the sounds of her breathing.
After what felt like forever, she closed her eyes again and focused on her feet. Thought about the sore muscles and how nice they would feel once relaxed.
She felt around for her phone before remembering she’d thrown it down to the very end by her feet.
Was she going to be free soon?
Or ever?
Chapter 28
“You taking your lunch?” Anderson’s voice pulled Alex from his thoughts.
He looked away from the computer screen to his partner. “Lunchtime already?”
Anderson nodded. “Hurry. Crawford has called a mandatory meeting in an hour.”
“An hour?” Alex glanced at the time. “I’d better get going. I promised Zoey I’d meet her.”
“See you soon.”
Alex gathered his things. “Text me if you hear any updates.”
“Will do. Where are you going?”
“She’s been wanting to try that new Mexican restaurant off Third.”
“Ask for their peach salsa. You’ll thank me later.”
Alex chuckled, grateful for a normal conversation. “Will do.”
He checked the time again as Anderson went back to his desk. Then he sent Zoey a quick text letting her know he was running a few minutes behind.
Once he pulled into the parking lot, he saw her car already parked. As he raced to the door, Zoey texted him that she already had a seat for them.
Alex found her at a table for two near the back by a window overlooking a field of flowers. He gave her a kiss before sitting. “Just us two?”
She gave him a sultry smile. “It’s a date.”
He rested his hand on her leg and took in her beauty. They’d known each other his entire life, and yet she always managed to grow more stunning every time he saw her. “I wish I had more than an hour.”
Zoey leaned closer, pressing her palm on his chest. “Macy offered to keep the twins overnight, so we could always pick up where we leave off after your shift.”
His heart raced. “I like the way you think.”
The server dropped off chips, salsa, and waters. “Are you ready to order?”
“Not yet.” Alex remembered what Anderson had said. “But could we try your peach salsa? I hear it’s delicious.”
“Coming right up.” He left, scribbling a note on his pad of paper.
Alex turned back to his wife and noticed how short her skirt was and how low cut the top was. “Is that a new outfit?”
“It is. At first, I thought it might be better suited for Ariana, but then I wised up and realized how much you might like it on me.”
He took in her long legs. “Good thinking. I—”
His phone rang.
Disappointment washed through him. “I’d ignore that, but if it’s the precinct …”
“I understand.” She squeezed his thigh before opening the menu.
He silently cursed Crawford, figuring he was the one interrupting his lunch. Only the caller wasn’t him. It was Lieutenant Johnston, who was at the high school for the day.
Alex’s stomach knotted. What if something had happened to Ari?
“Hello?” Alex said, trying to keep his voice steady. He didn’t want to alert Zoey to the fact that he was worried.
She kept her attention on the menu.
“Mercer, this is Johnston. I need to let you know what happened to your daughter.”
Alex nearly dropped the phone. Adrenaline rushed through his body. “What?”
Zoey looked up, concern in her eyes.
“She’s fine now, but after lunch someone grabbed her and threatened her. He took her bag and fled. She found me, and I’m keeping her within sight for the rest of the day.”
Alex’s heart pounded. “Threatened her? What did he say?”
Zoey dropped her menu. “Who?”
A beat of silence passed before the lieutenant replied. “He told her to stay away from the kidnapping case before she ended up next.”
Rage pulsated through him. “Did anyone find him? The security cameras had to have captured him!”
Zoey pleaded with her eyes for him to tell her something.
“He managed to avoid being recorded. But like I said, she isn’t going to leave my sight. Nothing is going to happen to her.”
“Did you report this to the department?”
“Of course,” Johnston replied. “Just got off the phone with Crawford.”
Alex struggled to get in a normal breath. “Okay. Thanks.”
“The chief said to make sure you aren’t late to the meeting.”
“I’m surprised he wants me on the case anymore. Now it’s personal.”
Zoey’s mouth gaped.
“She wasn’t abducted.”
“But she was threatened,” Alex said. “Keep me updated on how she’s doing.”
The lieutenant promised then ended the call.
“What’s going on?” Zoey demanded as soon as Alex set his phone down.
Alex clenched his fists. “Someone threatened Ari at school.”
“Because of the case?” Zoey’s face paled.
“Yeah. She’s probably right about the abductors being students.”
Zoey rose, nearly knocking over the chair. “I’m going to pick her up.”
“Lieutenant Johnston is watching her. He isn’t going to take his eyes off her.”
“I don’t care. She needs to be home where she’ll be safe.”
Alex stood and took her hand. “Johnston won’t let anything happen to her.”
“What about after school?”
“She’ll be with Damon, and I’m sure Johnston will keep following her.”
<
br /> “I don’t care.” Zoey picked up her purse from the back of the chair. “I’m going to get her.”
“The last thing she needs is to miss school. Let her be.”
She held his gaze. “We need to move.”
“Move?”
“Yes, Alex. I thought this place would be safe with the kidnapping ring gone, but it isn’t. Our daughter was just threatened at school!”
“That’s a big decision. We’re settled in, taking care of your parents’ house. Ariana’s enjoying high school. She isn’t going to want to up and move now. Our friends and most of our family are all here.”
“It’s for her safety!” Tears shone in her eyes.
Alex pulled her close and held her tightly, his mind racing. He couldn’t blame her for making such a rash statement. Not that this was the first time she’d brought up moving.
He pulled back. “Let’s eat lunch. We’re both hungry, and Ariana’s in good hands. You can even talk to Johnston yourself if it would make you feel better.”
Zoey shook her head, her nostrils flaring. “We need to take our family somewhere safe.”
Alex drew in a deep breath. “Once this blows over—”
“Then there will be another catastrophe! Don’t try to deny it. It may not be this month or even this year, but it’s only a matter of time.”
He took her hand in his. “Let’s sit down and discuss this over our meal. People are staring.”
Her mouth formed a straight line, but she took her seat.
“Thank you.” Alex sat and scooted closer to her.
She held his gaze. “I’ve been offered a job in Seattle.”
“You think Seattle will be safer?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Anywhere would be safer than this Bermuda Triangle for kidnappings.”
“It’s not safer than here.” He crossed his arms. “Trust me.”
“They also have an office in Boise.”
Her words were like a knife. “You’ve been discussing this with your magazine behind my back.”
“It’s no secret that I’ve been wanting to leave this place for a long time.”
“But you’ve been planning this without me.”
“Checking out options. I haven’t planned a single thing.”
“What about my job? Our friends and family?”
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