“I know what you mean.” He returned the hug. It was brief but it was the most goodwill she had ever shown the man. “I never said it, but thank you for all that you’ve done trying to find her. I know I haven’t been the best sister about your relationship, but I didn’t know you before.” She quirked the corner of her lip up into a little smile. “I know it doesn’t mean much right now, but you two have my full blessing.” Richard’s face broke out into the first genuine smile she had seen from him.
“Thank you, Sophia. That means a lot to me...and Lisa. I just hope everything goes well tonight. That Lisa and you stay safe.”
They made their way back into the midst of the party relatively unnoticed but it was like all of the men’s pocketbooks had a Richard Vega radar that blipped quite loudly when he was in close proximity. The whole “keep a low profile” idea had become just that—an idea. One that Sophia was having a hard time practicing, through no fault of her own. There was only so much she could do about her revealing dress. When the men around Richard weren’t transfixed on the rich man, they were ogling her chest and legs. She was about to tell the nearest older man where her eyes were located when a sickening feeling crawled through her.
Without looking, she knew Nathanial was out there now, watching. She could feel it. Whether he was out in the trees that stood on each side of Richard’s house or hiding amongst the hundreds of people that made up the crowd, a very daring move if true, he was somewhere out there, waiting for her to come forward. Waiting for her to make the trade.
An older man with a thick mustache and flowing gut led the crowd that halted Sophia and Richard as he made a beeline for the host’s attention. He gave Sophia a small nod before effectively cutting her off from the rich man. His back became a barrier of expensive satin. She looked around the crowd and noticed more men dressed in meticulously pressed suits eyeing Richard as if he was a juicy steak and they were the rabid dogs. Maybe he was the one who needed police protection.
Among the ones near the buffet tables were Braydon and Cara. She wondered if they’d even moved while she had gone to talk to Richard. They were staring at her—Braydon with a look that conveyed worry with a touch of something else and Cara with an approving smile. Sure a killer had given Sophia a dress, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t one heck of a great dress.
“You and Richard seem to be quite close,” Lynda the receptionist said by way of greeting before Sophia could walk back to her group. She wore a dress that didn’t hide any of her assets. It dipped low, had no back and rose up to the middle of her thighs as she walked. Sophia didn’t have room to judge, but at the same time she had been told to wear her dress. Lynda had poured herself into her slinky number on her own accord. Sophia wouldn’t have been so critical had the woman not accessorized her outfit with an outright sneer.
“We just needed a moment away from everyone,” she explained, trying not to stare at the cleavage that somehow was pushed up so high, it almost hit the woman’s neck. She glanced down at her own and was relieved to see it wasn’t as out there. “We needed some alone time to talk about a few things. Talk about Lisa.” Lynda was one of the few who knew Lisa had been kidnapped because she worked at the station. She shouldn’t have been surprised that the two of them were talking.
“How nice for you two.” Lynda didn’t dial down the accusatory tone that she was currently carrying; the implications of something romantic or sexual going on between Sophia and the party’s host weren’t missed. “So I heard that you stayed here last night. I guess Braydon’s place wasn’t to your liking, huh?” She plucked the toothpick from her drink and sucked the olive off it. It wasn’t the classiest thing Sophia had seen, but she was betting Lynda was touching tipsy. “It’s a shame, you know. Braydon is all kinds of fun.”
Sophia wanted the conversation to end fast. There was no time to sit around playing catty. Lynda wasn’t even trying to hide her jealousy that Braydon and Sophia had been getting close. And she didn’t even know about last night. They weren’t in high school and, quite frankly, she didn’t have the patience for this. However, she couldn’t deny that at the same time, she wanted to stake her claim on the man Lynda had once dated.
“Oh, on the contrary, I am quite fond of Detective Thatcher.” She lowered her voice and wiggled her eyebrows. “As for how fun he is, I’m pretty sure if last night was any indication, I’ll definitely have to agree with you there.” Lynda’s mouth dropped open—the half-eaten olive showing. Sophia stopped the look of disgust from covering her features. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.” She didn’t wait for whatever comment was about to spring from the other woman’s bright-red lips. “Richard said he is about to make an important announcement and I want to get a front-row view.” This did nothing to perk up the receptionist. Her whole body seemed taut with shock and jealousy. She took her leave of the woman and made her way through the crowd to the detective and officer, looking back once to see Lynda staring after.
“What was that about?” Cara asked, confusing Braydon.
“Oh, you know, just fun girl talk.” She didn’t hide the sarcasm. “Why don’t we go get us a front-row spot?” They nodded and Braydon took Sophia’s hand, leading her through the crowd, Cara and her black cocktail dress in their wake. The olive-eating, jealous Lynda followed, stopping behind them as they made their way to the front of the stage. Cara looked between the two women before giving Sophia a grin and rolling her eyes. It seemed that she wasn’t the only one who disliked the scantily clad woman.
“What did Richard have to say?” Braydon asked, oblivious to the silent conversation going on behind his back, but she didn’t get a chance to answer. Richard took his place on the stage, which was elevated two or three feet off the ground, and cleared his throat. The sound was surprisingly loud and clear—it cut through the chatter of the crowd and brought silence to the party of people.
“If you would please gather around.” He motioned to the empty space on both sides of their group. Braydon hadn’t let go of Sophia’s hand—it warmed her skin and helped bring back her original calm. His brow was furrowed and his eyes went right through Richard. The man of the hour smiled and turned his focus to the rapt crowd. “First off, let me begin by saying a warm thank-you for attending this year’s fund-raising event. Without good people like you in the world, such things could not exist. So, let’s take a drink for all of those in attendance.” He raised his glass and brought it to his lips. Most of the crowd followed his actions. Richard smiled after his sip, though it was more like a lengthy swallow, and continued. “Second, thank you for any and all donations and purchases you may make tonight. This fund-raiser has become a tradition that helps out organizations and charities throughout Culpepper. Everything earned here tonight will only help further the town’s progress and success. Now, speaking of traditions, I’d like to sidestep another one this year—the welcome speech’s length. Most of you can recall last year’s record half-hour address and I’m sorry about that. I do believe I had a bit too much champagne at that point.” He paused for laughter. It came easily. “Tonight I’d like to keep it short and sweet and say welcome to the seventh annual Culpepper Fund-raiser! As always the auction will start at eight-thirty. Cheers!” The crowd shouted back with excitement and took another celebratory swig of alcohol alongside their host.
Sophia finished off her second glass and smiled at Richard. She was proud of her sister for not listening to her when she’d implied that he was nothing more than a rich jerk. That was a label that would remain a secret between the sisters. Richard caught her eye and gave a small nod.
“You have got to be kidding me. I think it’s time to take a smoke break,” Lynda said, all but huffing as she turned on her heel.
“What’s her problem?” Braydon asked, though he didn’t seem much invested in whatever the answer would be. His eyes scanned the faces of each and every partygoer he could see.
“She has some issues w
ith my friendship with a certain detective. Apparently she used to be really good friends with him.” Sophia could have laughed at how Braydon’s entire demeanor stiffened. He shot a dirty look at Cara who had just found her nails to be fascinating. It looked as though he hadn’t been prepared for her to know about his past relationship.
“That was a long time ago,” he defended. “I ended it. That woman has more than one screw loose.”
Sophia smiled at the red that filled the detective’s cheeks. It was the first time she’d seen him blush. The result was oddly charming. He tried to put together an explanation, though he didn’t owe her one. She placed a hand on his chest to stop him.
“Calm down, Detective. I told her being friends with you was a lot of fun.” Cara laughed out loud and Sophia couldn’t help but join her. It was nice to laugh. It helped ease her nerves, if only for a moment.
The music picked back up as the first organization prepared for their auction time. If the whole event hadn’t been a cover to draw out Nathanial, Sophia would have liked to watch the bidding. When she had first come to Culpepper, she had disliked the small town and its residents, favoring the city. However, the more she was around them, the more fascinating she found the charming place. Minus the obvious bad seed named Nathanial Williams. They all knew each other—they were all connected somehow. Standing between Braydon and Cara, she felt like even she was a part of that connection. She wondered how it would feel if Lisa was here, safe and sound, while Nathanial was long gone.
She didn’t get a chance to think about it too much, though, because just as they were about to get situated in the crowd to watch the first auction, a scream tore through the night air. Like the carrying voice of Richard, its effect on the crowd was instantaneous. The band stopped playing while everyone looked in the direction of the nearest tree line looming ominously behind the boundaries of the party. Another scream sounded, this time with words attached.
“He’s here!”
Chapter Eighteen
Lynda came crashing out of the trees and into the haven of lights created by the lanterns that boxed in the party. Her face was fear stricken. “I saw him! He’s in there!” That didn’t mean much to most of the fund-raiser’s guests, but it sure got every cop in the crowd moving as one in the direction Lynda was pointing. Braydon hesitated for a moment before springing to action.
“Sophia, you stay here or so help me—”
“Go!” She shooed him. “Get Lisa!”
Braydon nodded, brought out the gun from under his jacket and ran full tilt after the officers who poured into the woods. Cara, tasked with sticking to Sophia’s side no matter the occasion, grabbed the crook of her arm while Richard’s assistant Jordan ran to the microphone and tried to calm everyone down. Richard had disappeared, no doubt going after Nathanial, too. Sophia and Cara hurried to the shaking shell that was Lynda.
“I just wanted to smoke a cigarette,” she said as they approached, looking wildly between them. “I didn’t want to piss anyone off so I took a walk. He was just standing there with a—a big needle in his hand.” Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Was there a woman with him?” Sophia asked. “Was Lisa with him?”
“I don’t know.” Her voice shook. “I’m sorry. I saw him and just freaked.” Sophia’s stomach fell. Was Lisa not with him after all? Did this mean that the trade had been a trick? Was Lisa even alive still?
“Do you think Richard would mind if we went inside to sit down?” Lynda asked. “It’s too exposed out here.”
“That’s actually a good idea,” Cara agreed, eyeing the tree line.
“But—” Sophia started to argue. Cara wasn’t having it.
“We’ll stay in the living room,” she said, already moving with Lynda toward the giant house. “Plus, I have my gun.” She pulled it from the purse she had been toting. Sophia relented but looked back, hoping Braydon was okay.
The three of them wove through the crowd to the door that led from the stage into the back of the living area. Jordan eyed them warily from the mic but when he recognized them he waved his approval to go inside. Not that Cara would have stopped had he said no. It was the first time Sophia had seen her in full cop mode. She made a mental note to never mess with the woman.
This was a part of the house Sophia had never seen, sticking to the kitchen, study and second floor during her stay. It was just as opulent and clean as Richard’s office a hallway over and, even though she wasn’t a fan of animal prints and white as a decor combination, it seemed to work for the space. Lynda held the door open for them but didn’t stop once it was shut.
“I need some water,” she said, pointing toward the kitchen.
“We need to stay in here,” Cara said. The view to the party was uninhibited thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows that lined the wall. “I’d feel more comfortable if we could see everyone.”
Lynda gave Cara a slap on the arm. “Come on, Cara, it’s only a room away,” she tried.
Cara touched the spot Lynda had hit.
“Watch it,” she complained, “that hurt.”
“Sorry, it must have been my ring. Can I go get some water now?”
Cara sighed but nodded. Sophia wanted to stay by the window but knew she wouldn’t be allowed to do so alone. She followed the cop with her own sigh. They hadn’t made it more than a few steps into the kitchen before Cara stopped suddenly.
“You aren’t wearing any rings” was all she could say before she lost her balance and pitched backward. Sophia tried to keep the woman upright but she was a good few inches taller and heavier. All she could do was slow the fall. “Cara?” she shrieked, hitting the ground with the woman on top of her. “Cara?” The officer was unconscious. Confusion surfaced before Cara’s last words registered. Sophia looked at Lynda. She was smirking.
“That took forever to work.” Lynda held a small syringe and needle up for her to see. “I honestly didn’t think she’d ever pass out.”
Sophia’s face contorted into a mask of rage. “Why?” she asked.
“Why? Well, because you wore the dress. That means you want to trade.” She held out the used syringe. “Wasn’t that the plan, Nate?”
Sophia felt sick as Nathanial walked around the corner and took the syringe. He wore a black suit with a red button-down shirt that almost matched his hair. His tie was as white as the grin he was currently wearing.
“That’s right.” He pulled out a bag from his suit pocket and switched out the used syringe for a new one. Sophia watched in muted horror as Lynda pushed her hair out of the way and let Nathanial inject her with it. “Remember, you might want to lay down. As everyone in the room can tell you, this works rather fast.”
Lynda nodded and sat down on the hardwood.
“Good luck with your vengeance,” she told him with what Sophia only could describe as a flirtatious smile. “Let me know if you ever want to do this again.”
Nathanial didn’t respond but instead turned his attention to Sophia. Lynda slumped against the wall and fell the rest of the way to the floor. Her dress was even more unflattering in its rumpled state.
“You weren’t in the woods,” Sophia stammered, meeting the cold, dark eyes of “Terrance” Williams. “She lied for you.”
He held up his index finger and wiggled it back and forth. “She didn’t lie for me, Sophia. She lied for money,” he corrected. “There is a difference.” He came closer and grabbed the gun that had fallen away from Cara’s hand. Instant fear seized hold of her chest, but he held out his other hand for her. “Now, let’s go see your sister.”
Sophia felt bad for pushing Cara off her, but she did it as gently as she could manage from beneath the woman. This time Nathanial didn’t tell her to inject the drug into her veins. Instead, he looped his arm through hers and guided her upstairs before stopping just outside the farthest room
from the landing—three doors down from the room she had been staying in. Sophia’s heart pounded in her chest. She gave the killer a questioning look.
“The deal was you get to say goodbye, remember?” He detached her arm from his before producing another, smaller syringe from his jacket. How much more of that stuff had he made? He opened the door but held her wrist firmly.
The world melted away in a rush of relief so strong that it brought tears to Sophia’s eyes. Sitting up on the bed was Lisa and, even though her arms and legs were tied and a piece of cloth was stuffed in her mouth, Sophia couldn’t help but smile. She was alive. It was a fact that overpowered her with a rush of courage. In one swift movement she turned and kicked Nathanial hard in the groin. He doubled over and the gun dropped from his hand. She lunged after it, scooping it up just as he pulled her to him. He pushed a needle into her skin at the same moment she pulled the trigger.
A loud bang sounded. Nathanial roared in anger and threw her against the ground. The gun fell from her hands and skidded across the floor and under the bed. Sophia knew she didn’t have long. She looked up at her sister. They locked eyes and for the first time in a long while Sophia felt content.
“I love you,” she said.
Then the darkness came.
Chapter Nineteen
“This is too easy,” Braydon said, stopping to catch his breath. His gun was raised in front of him.
“What?” Richard had been running next to him, undeterred by the fact that he had no weapon to defend himself. The rest of the woods were swarming with cops, yet no one had yelled back that they had made contact or even seen Nathanial or Lisa.
Manhunt Page 17