Presumed Dead (Love Inspired Suspense)

by Angela Ruth Strong

  She needed people around as witnesses. People who could use their own cell phones to call for help. People to usher her into their condos and lock the door until help arrived. But would she just be putting them in danger?

  Caleb rolled to a stop between two pickups. He shifted into Park with his free hand while leveling the gun back on her as if daring her to try to escape. “Brett, you’re going to report your vehicle stolen to the police arriving on the scene. You’re going to tell them Preston and Holly took it and that it had my phone in it.”

  What? She may have God on her side, but she needed the police, too.

  “If you don’t tell police what I want you to, I’m going to kill both Preston and Holly, then come after you.”

  No. No more death. Holly choked back a sob. Caleb couldn’t get away with this, could he? Though why not? She’d said her name over the two-way radio. She’d given Brett the number of the phone the police would be told was in Preston and Holly’s possession. And the police arriving on the scene would have only seen the vehicle take off. But what about Preston still being there?

  “Now give the phone to Preston.”

  Her pulse thrummed against her throat, in her thumbs and behind her knees.

  Muffled noises rang over the speaker as the security officer complied.

  “Caleb, you liar,” Preston shouted. Just the sound of his voice gave Holly strength. “I’m not taking the fall for your crimes. I’m going to the police, and if you so much as touch Holly, I will—”

  Caleb glared at Holly, the heat of his gaze singeing her soul. “You go to the police, and she’s dead.”

  Silence. “How do I know you haven’t already killed her?”

  Caleb dug the gun into her side until she winced. “Say hi, Holly.”

  Holly narrowed her eyes. The man was still using her as bait. If she went along with it, he’d kill them both. But if she didn’t say anything, Caleb could shoot her right there. Preston would hear the gunshot. He’d have to mourn her the way she’d once mourned him. But at least Caleb would get caught, and he couldn’t hurt anyone else.

  She leaned forward to make sure her words came through clearly. “We’re parked at the resort. Caleb didn’t leave the Tahoe Keys. He’s—”

  The gun slammed down into her thigh. Pain shot both up and down her leg, mangling the sensation of individual muscles. The air in her lungs grunted away. She gripped the seat with her fingernails and writhed to suck in another breath.

  “Make no mistake, Preston. If you want to see her alive, you will do exactly as I say. First, you will get out of sight so the police believe Brett’s story. Second, you will meet me in the center of Fanny Bridge at midnight tonight. Alone.”

  * * *

  Preston squeezed the phone tighter. He felt angry enough to crush the thing. But he’d be better off using the energy to catch Caleb. Holly had said they were at the resort. He took off down the road, the phone still to his ear.

  “Why would I meet you alone?” he challenged. There was no way Preston wouldn’t show, but if he could keep Caleb talking, the man might not have the time to get away before Preston caught up to him. “So you could kill us both?”

  “Wait,” the security guard yelled from behind him, not sounding as confident as he had before. Of course, he’d just had his life threatened.

  The best way for Preston to help the man would be to get Caleb behind bars so the killer couldn’t make good on his threat. As to whether the security guard told police the truth or not, it didn’t really matter. Preston was the only one who knew where Caleb was and what Caleb wanted.

  Heavy breathing rang through the phone as if Caleb was physically exerting himself while he spoke. Preston’s tactics to stall the kidnapping must not have been effective.

  “You’ll come because you think you can save Holly,” Caleb finally responded. “That’s what you do.”

  Preston had been successful so far. And nothing would keep him from believing he could save her again. Maybe he had more hope than he’d want to admit. But was it hope in God or hope in himself? In his own abilities?

  Preston reached the end of the road, but he didn’t turn the way Caleb had. He’d take the shortcut through the front lawns to backyards, to the tennis courts that separated homes from the condos.

  Preston held the phone away from his mouth as he panted. He didn’t want Caleb to know he was coming for him. He took a deep breath to respond evenly, “I am going to save Holly.”

  Caleb chuckled.

  Preston continued past the condos into the parking lot, which was flanked on three sides with the actual resort. Where was Caleb?

  “Even if it costs you your life?” Caleb asked.

  No sight of the kidnapper. Preston’s heart thudded in his ears. Holly had said they had parked here. Had Caleb backed out once he knew Preston was aware of his location? Preston circled the parking lot to be sure.

  What had Caleb asked? If he would give his life for Holly? What a stupid question. That was why Preston had played dead in the first place. Of all people, Caleb knew he would give his life for hers. “You know I would.”

  There. The white security vehicle. Empty.

  Preston spun in a circle, the area now overwhelmingly large. Where had Caleb gone? Inside one of the buildings? No. Not if he was trying to get away.

  Preston sprinted down the sidewalk toward the marina. Was he heading in the right direction or wasting precious time? For all he knew, Caleb could be watching through a window and laughing inside.

  “I’m counting on it,” Caleb responded, voice menacing. In the background, a boat engine revved. The same sound that came from a dock at the other end of the pier.

  Preston pivoted and pushed off through the soles of his shoes. He was close. Just not close enough. In the distance a red ski boat with a wakeboard tower shot toward the channel leading out of the marina.

  Preston charged down the pathway in pursuit but slid to a stop at the edge of the dock. They were too far away for him to catch up without a boat of his own. And there were no nearby boaters who could give him a lift.

  He stared helplessly after Holly. Why hadn’t she jumped overboard? Why had she just sat there? That wasn’t like her. Unless she was hurt. His heart jammed into his throat as he watched her double over and hug one knee.

  “See you at midnight, Preston.” Caleb tossed the phone into his wake. He’d won again.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Holly shifted on the boat to ease the throbbing pressure in her thigh. Part of her wanted to know what Preston had been doing in the hours since Caleb had kidnapped her and taken off in the stolen boat to hide out in an area of the lake out of sight from the freeway called Hidden Beach. Had he gone to the police? Had they been formulating a plan to rescue her? Were they aware of her location and closing in?

  But then her questions would dissolve as waves of pain overtook her emotions. She hated the whimpering sound coming from her lips. She hated that Caleb hadn’t even had to tie her up to keep her in place, and the one time she’d tried to escape, she’d ended up in a heap at the bottom of the boat without him even touching her. She hated that the man she’d been planning to pledge her life to that very day now reveled in her misery.

  “It’s almost over, sweetheart.”

  She opened her eyes to glare through the darkness. If he took one step closer, she’d slap that smile off his face.

  He moved to the steering wheel and turned the ignition, then putted toward the anchor while simultaneously pressing the button to pull it up.

  The boat vibrated. She gritted her teeth. Her pain was barely tolerable when she kept her leg in place, but if Caleb took the ski boat back on the open water, she’d be bouncing all over again. She leaned forward and wrapped fingers around her leg to hold it as still as possible.

  Why were they leaving Hidden Beach? Wouldn’t Caleb want to keep the boat hidden? Not to mention he needed to get to dry land if he was going to meet Preston on the bridge.

  Cal
eb locked the anchor into storage, jostling the boat. She stiffened at the impact. If just that small movement ignited her thigh, how was she ever going to make it over open water?

  She moaned. “Are you going to leave me here?”

  Caleb returned to the helm. “I need you. Why do you think you’re still alive?”

  She shook her head to clear her thoughts. She didn’t know anything anymore.

  “I’m fishing for Preston, and you’re the bait.”

  That was all she’d ever been to him. No wonder she felt as helpless as a worm on a hook.

  The boat slid quietly forward through the night. Caleb didn’t even use a light. She should relax knowing she wasn’t up for a wild ride, but the pain of a wild ride would have been preferable if he made enough noise and movement to get caught.

  She’d been praying nonstop from the moment she’d seen Caleb with the security guard, but it had brought her no peace. Maybe God had orchestrated some kind of rescue without her knowledge, but maybe not. Maybe she was going to die alone.

  Being alone was to her what claustrophobia was to other people. She’d so much rather be confined in a tight place with other people than surrounded with emptiness all by herself.

  Had Preston been right about her? That was what had hurt the most about his statement earlier. She always wanted someone to rescue her.

  She couldn’t even feel God’s presence. The Bible said she was never alone, but the night told her otherwise. There was no one out there who knew where she was. The world was so big. She was so small. She didn’t matter.

  She clutched her hands to her sides and curled into herself to block out the expanse of stars and volume of her breath. She’d talk to Caleb. Because even a bad guy was better than nobody. Or was that the belief that had gotten her into this situation in the first place? Too late to change that now.

  “What are you going to do with me when you go to meet Preston? I can’t walk.”

  Then she’d really be all alone.

  “You don’t have to walk.”

  She looked up. Was he going to take her back to his car? Make Preston chase them up into the mountains, where he could kill them both without any witnesses around? Surely the drive would give them time to overpower him and—

  “We’re going to float right under the bridge.” He focused forward on the lights in the distance. Tahoe City.

  If they floated under the bridge, Preston would see her and leap to save her. Then Caleb would have them both on his boat. He could shoot them and throw them overboard. But if that was his plan… “Why didn’t you just let him leap on board earlier? You could have taken care of us then.”

  “Police were there. I needed to get away. And I needed to make sure the authorities bought the story about you and Preston taking off in the security vehicle.” Caleb shrugged. “According to the police radio I tapped into, you two are currently wanted criminals.”

  Panic crawled up her spine, paralyzing her body. Do something, Lord.

  The town grew larger. A boat flashed past, its light almost blinding. Her eyes readjusted. The shadow of a bridge appeared in the horizon. Was that a man standing in the center?

  Caleb looked at his watch. “Right on time.”

  No. How could God let this happen? Maybe Preston was right. Maybe God didn’t really answer prayers.

  Or maybe she’d been praying the wrong thing. Maybe God had a plan, and He was waiting for her to follow it.

  Tell me what to do, Lord.

  Preston had risked his life to save her. Was she willing to do the same for him? She would if she loved him.

  Peace flooded her soul. Because love wasn’t about having someone there for her. It was about being willing to be there for someone else. The way Jesus was there for her.

  She wasn’t alone. She was never alone.

  The bridge grew closer as the boat sliced through the water, into the mouth of Truckee River. There was no question Preston would jump on board to save her. But what could she do to save him?

  Scream for help? Grab the radio? Try to get Caleb’s gun?

  Preston’s form climbed atop the bridge railing. He crouched, ready to spring. She had to act before he could. What could she do to guarantee Caleb would stop the boat before Preston boarded?

  Only one thing.

  She gripped smooth fiberglass, took a deep breath and pushed with her good foot to propel herself overboard.

  The cold water embraced her, threatened to smother her. Its icy sting seeped into her pores and warred for attention with the ache in her leg. She kicked her right foot and arched toward the surface. And she’d thought swimming with a gunshot wound had been challenging.

  Her mouth broke the surface. She gasped for breath and leaned back to float, blinking to find Preston’s form through the blur of water droplets.

  A wave of water rolled over her face, blocking him from view. The lake splashed and gurgled behind her. Water washed into her lungs. She coughed against the onslaught.

  Something slick slid around her neck. A hand. Squeezing. Pulling her back under. Caleb must have jumped in after her.

  She shot an elbow his direction, but the lake slowed its progress, lessened its impact.

  Water shot up her nose, tingling in her sinuses. She blew out to keep from inhaling any more. But she’d have to get another breath soon.

  Would Preston reach her in time to save her? Wait. That wasn’t what she wanted. She wanted him to stay far away from Caleb. But he wouldn’t as long as he thought she needed help.

  Caleb’s fingers threaded through her hair and held her head facedown while keeping her body at a distance so she couldn’t reach him to fight. She clawed and kicked, the movement creating a greater need for air.

  So she stopped. She relaxed. Let her arms and legs float to the surface. Caleb wouldn’t keep trying to drown her if he thought she was already dead.

  Her lungs burned. The lake water stung. Her thigh throbbed. But she didn’t move.

  Hair slithered silently around her. And despite the pain, she knew she would survive. Because as Preston had once said, it wasn’t the how that mattered. If the why was important enough, the how just happened.

  Her why was pretty important. She needed to play dead to save someone else’s life.

  * * *

  Preston squinted as the red ski boat rocked into the light. Where was Caleb? Where was Holly? The boat hadn’t steered itself up Truckee River.

  The boat floated forward, revealing two figures in the water behind it. What was Caleb up to? Was he trying to distract Preston with the boat so he could sneak around behind him on the bridge? But how was he going to do that with Holly as his captive? Especially if Holly was injured.

  The figures thrashed. His muscles flexed in reaction. Had Holly jumped overboard? He didn’t know. He just knew he needed to be there for her the way he’d ached to be all day. He’d been planning to jump into the boat to rescue her. Maybe he still could.

  It drifted toward him. He’d jump in and turn it around to reach Holly much faster than he could swim to her.

  He sprung forward into midair. Gravity pulled. He softened his knees to brace for impact.

  His feet slammed into fiberglass. The jolt traveled up his spine, jarring his senses, but he stayed standing. Now where was Holly?

  No more splashing. What did that mean? Had she gotten free? He cranked the steering wheel to spin the boat around while jabbing at the dashboard until a blue light flicked on underwater.

  One silhouette swam toward him. But it was the silhouette of a man. Where was Holly?

  Preston gunned the engine to reach the spot where he’d seen her last. He turned off the gas to float, frantically scanning the water for her body. Had she sunk? Did he need to dive in?

  Dread clawed at his heart. But he refused to let it in. He’d fought too hard. Given up too much. He could find her. He could do this. Because he certainly couldn’t go on without her. Not now that he’d let himself love.

  There. Float
ing behind some rocks near the shore. That had to be her hair. But why was she floating? Facedown? No…

  He grabbed the wheel again. Lessons in CPR flashed through his consciousness. He’d breathe for her. He’d pump her heart for her. He’d keep her alive until an ambulance came. He had to.

  Metal clattered behind him. Rubber squeaked. Preston shot a glance over his shoulder to find Caleb back on board.

  Oh no. He didn’t have time to fight for his own life. He had to fight for Holly’s. He thrust the boat forward to knock the man off his feet.

  Caleb grabbed on to the railing in time to keep from falling. He lunged. Swung a fist.

  Preston ducked. He’d avoided the blow but hit his head on the dash. The crack zapped pain through his temple to his skull. He gritted his teeth and opened his eyes to retaliate. But he didn’t have to. Because there, sitting in front of him, was Caleb’s gun.

  He grasped for the cold metal, slid his fingers around the grip and pivoted to level the barrel at Caleb.

  Caleb held up both hands.

  A beam of light on the riverbank shone down upon him. Blue and red lights flashed from a police boat. The whipping sound of a helicopter signaled the arrival of scuba divers, who dropped into the water around them.

  “Stop. STPD,” a voice spoke over a bullhorn.

  Preston raised one hand to surrender and the other one to shade the light from his eyes to find Holly. She was nowhere to be seen. Must have floated around the rock. Had help gotten there in time?

  Caleb pointed toward the rock. “Preston killed Holly,” he lied. “I swam out to this boat he stole to try to save her, but then he pulled a gun on me.”

  Preston stared at the chaos. He stared at the man who’d ruined his life. He stared at the spot he’d last seen Holly. Surely, if she’d survived, she would have crawled up onto the rock to see what was going on. Or she’d be yelling the truth at the top of her lungs.

  Numbness crept over his skin and seeped inside. The kind of numbness that froze his heart like liquid nitrogen so that, when reality crashed in, it would shatter like glass.