by Nora LeDuc
“I promised Teagan I’d keep you safe.”
“Yeah, I’ll be safe with you.”
“Right. We’ll stay at the Mad Moose and be out of harm’s way.”
Lisa walked back and forth while dragging a hand through her hair. Target watched.
“I want to help the missing girl. I keep imagining what’s happening to her.” She stopped in front of Lucy. Her wide eyes flickered with fear, and then the emotion disappeared. “C’mon. You’re familiar with the area. We can find her.”
“I’m responsible for you and can’t take any risks.” Lucy glanced out to Gage’s business.
A black car pulled up to the gas tank. She studied the shape. It was smaller than the FBI’s, but similar. Ali Smith’s boyfriend Tate hopped out of the front seat with energy and confidence.
He didn’t look worried, like a kid out on bail. Was it possible the teen had been the one following them? Goosebumps rose on her arms. If she knew more about vehicles, she’d be able to tell the difference. Mentally, she compared the two in her mind.
“You used to be a lot nicer when you lived in Hawick Falls.” Lisa’s complaint broke into Lucy’s thoughts.
“In the past, I was a lot of things.” She glanced at the time on her cell phone. “Your work break is over.”
“It was like three minutes.”
“You’ve worked six.”
“Why don’t we go find your ex then? I heard you tell your friends that was why the police were here. They’re going to arrest him.” Lisa’s eyes glowed with excitement. “We should warn him.”
Across the street, Tate finished pumping his gas and jumped into his car.
Lucy shook her head at Lisa. “He’s good at taking care of himself.” She hoped.
The dark car careened out of the station. She leaned forward and peered out the window.
A few blocks away, Chief Sullivan and his men combed through Liam’s emails, texts, and browser history, searching for anything that would bolster evidence he was guilty.
Let them find nothing, Lucy prayed.
Chapter 43
Posters with Ali’s picture stared at Liam from passing trees and telephone poles. Was the girl alive? Doubtful. His gut turned cold at the thought. Overhead, the storm clouds thickened. Didn’t look like he’d miss the hail. He reduced his speed while questions and ideas flew through his mind.
He rounded the curve. His truck lunged into the oncoming lane. Shock bit into him. What in hell? He jerked the wheel. The vehicle continued on its course. The trees rushed at him. Their limbs scraped across his pickup’s roof and windshield until he slammed into the tree trunk.
He jerked forward and then back as the seatbelt snapped tight around him. The airbag blew up like an oversized balloon. Stunned, he sat for several seconds, letting his brain catch up.
Get out. He pressed the metal button. Nothing happened. He tried again. The belt didn’t budge. Liam yanked on it and swore under his breath.
Well, he’d escape come hellfire or ice storm. He shoved his fingers into his pocket and slipped out his key ring. The small pocketknife from his childhood swung from the key ring. He’s always thought it was worthless until today.
Soon, Liam was sawing through the fabric. When I get out of here, I’m buying a huge knife with a super long, sharp blade.
What had happened? Why had he gone off the road? The strap loosened, and he yanked it over his shoulders and head. He was free. He shoved the door open and strode to the front of his pickup. His front tire was missing. What? He scanned the area and found it a few feet away. His feet sank into the muddy spots where the sun had melted the snow. Bare trees hovered above him. He crouched down to study the damage.
The fender and hood were smashed against a trunk. It looked worse than he’d expected, and it would have been a lot worse if he hadn’t slowed down before the curve. He rubbed the ache in his chest caused by the seatbelt or airbag. He couldn’t complain. The safety features had saved him from meeting the windshield.
But what had happened? He hadn’t been speeding for once. No, something was wrong with his steering. He studied the frame. Rising, he spotted a wheel lug nut a foot away. He scouted around and found four more. Crazy. How had the lug nuts come loose?
Gage would tell him. Right now, Liam needed a tow truck. Where was he? He dug into the pocket of his leather jacket. Damn, Sullivan had his phone. Could the day get much worse? He wished he had stopped for a new phone. An uneasy feeling insisted he needed to check in with Lucy.
He turned and headed back toward Barley. Maybe he’d have luck hitching a ride. If he’d stayed on the main roads, he would have had a better chance. With the forecast of bad weather, people stayed on the well-salted major routes.
As he strode onward, his accident played out again in his mind. Before he’d gone half a mile, he was certain someone wanted him to crash— Matt Hastings.
He had to get to the Moose and Lucy. Fast.
Jogging and walking, he tried to keep his sense of urgency under control. He’d been on the road for almost an hour when ice pellets began to hit him. He slowed. At this rate, he’d reach the bar near midnight. Damn. Maybe he’d come across a house soon.
The sound of an engine broke through his musings. Someone was coming. He stepped into the middle of the pavement and raised his arms over his head.
A dark car appeared around the bend, braked, and cruised to the shoulder in front of him.
Recognition shot through him. Just his luck. His savior was the law. He blinked as the occupant swung the door wide and got out.
* * *
Lucy helped Lisa with the inventory as the morning crawled toward the lunch hour.
Lisa sighed and stretched her arms. “Teagan might hire someone to find her mother.”
“Her aunt hired an investigator years ago and never found her. Legally, she’s dead.”
Lisa shrugged. “Guess she wants to look again and make sure she’s not wandering the streets somewhere. I told her I’d trade my two jailed parents for her missing, homeless mother. Teagan didn’t go for it.”
“Hard to believe, Lisa.”
A knock on the door ended their conversation. Lucy opened up to Sadie on her welcome mat.
“You guys should come downstairs to eat in a few minutes. We’re closing up as soon as our three lunch customers leave.”
“Thanks, Sadie.”
“Not a problem. With the ice storm, the school is letting out early. Most people will head up to the elementary for pickup, or to the grocery store, and then straight home.”
“Yup, that’s the drill I remember,” Lucy said.
“Is Liam okay? I know he didn’t want to talk about where he was going, but we worry about him.”
“I haven’t heard from him, but Sullivan’s officers confiscated his phone.”
“That’s right,” Sadie said. “He’ll call when he can. Men have a different definition of keeping in touch.”
“Yeah, men.” Lisa joined the women at the doorway. “Let’s go eat, Lucy.”
She nodded. The dining room was deserted when they sat at the booth near the front window. Lisa ordered a burger and fries. Lucy ate a house salad. As she finished her last bite, she waved goodbye to Chip, Sadie, and Sadie’s sister.
“The restaurant’s doors are set to lock when I go out,” Hank said, stopping by them. “If you ladies need anything, call me.” He dropped a scrap of paper with his number on their table. “Remember, I’m right up the hill.”
“Thanks, Hank. I’m sure we’ll spend the night counting the straws.”
Lisa’s fork crashed on her plate. “Are you kidding? When I drove up here, I thought it’d be more exciting.”
“Guess not. Bye, Hank.” After he left, Lucy decided to give Lisa a break. “I found a carton of DVDs when I was searching through the boxes. We can pick out a movie for later to play in the antique machine.”
“I hope there’s a few from this decade.”
“It will be our oldies nigh
t.” Lucy grabbed their empty plates from the table. “I’ll check the locks.” She dumped the dishes in the dishwasher and entered the rear hallway. The sound of the hail bouncing off the ground came through the door. It was a bad day to be on the road. Be safe, Liam.
Her phone rang. Liam! She fished her cell from her pocket. She didn’t recognize the number, but Liam could have a new one. “Hello.”
“Lucy,” a voice whispered to her.
Was this an obscene call? “Who’s this?”
“It’s Ali. Please. Please. Help me.”
“Ali?” Was this for real? “I can barely hear you. Where are you?”
“I need help.” The girl’s sobs poured into Lucy’s ear. “I got…away. He’s going to find me. Help me.”
“Where are you? I’ll contact the police.”
“No. Don’t. He’ll kill me. I’m outside. He’ll see them come. He’s somewhere near.”
“Outside?” Lucy glanced out the window of the rear door. The lot was empty except for Teagan’s car.
“Lucy?” Lisa approached her. “What is it?”
“He’s going to shoot me-ee.” The girl’s voice rose and ended on a shriek. “Let me in.”
“Who is that?” Lisa asked, crowding forward.
“Open up. I’ll run in. You don’t have to come out.”
“Where are you?” Lucy covered the speaker with her hand. “Call the police, Lisa. It might be Ali.”
“There!” Lisa pointed out the glass in the door. “She’s running across the graveled space from the Dumpster. Is that her?”
“Yes.” Lucy flipped the bolt and shoved the door open.
Ali grabbed it and flung it wide. Another form shot in behind her, pushing her inside along with him.
He held a gun in one hand. His arm encircled Ali’s throat in a chokehold. “Good afternoon, ladies.”
“He…” Ali gasped, “forced me.”
His face was different, broader, and he looked heavier under the coat, but she knew him.
“Lisa’s here, too.” Matt’s lips twisted into a cynical smile. “I’ve missed you both.”
Every hair on Lucy’s body rose up in fear.
Chapter 44
Standing in the hailstorm, Liam watched the man emerge from his vehicle.
“Need a ride?” Noah Cassidy yelled to him.
What alternative did he have? The need to see Lucy was growing to a red alert. Liam jogged to the car and jumped inside.
Noah eased into his seat and slammed his door. “I assume that was your truck I passed a few miles back that was kissing a tree.”
“I crashed into the woods when I rounded a curve. All my lug nuts slipped right off the right front wheel.”
“You’re lucky you didn’t have a rollover.”
“Hastings must have had a hand in it. I need to check in with Lucy to make sure she’s okay. I’ve been walking forever. Appreciate the ride since I left my cell at the Moose or I’d have called for a tow.” No sense telling him Sullivan had confiscated it in a search. “I guess everyone listened to the local news warning to stay off the roads. What are you doing in my neighborhood, Detective Cassidy?”
“Teagan got a call this morning this morning from her soon-to-be-adopted teenager, who’d commandeered her ride and driven to Barley for a surprise visit. Lucy made her call. I decided to save Teagan the trip up and persuade Lisa to drive home today, and I’d follow her. I didn’t expect to get caught in the ice storm or to run into you hitchhiking. Are you headed to Barley, McAllister?”
“I was driving south to Concord for a business meeting, but my accident changed my mind. I’m going your way now.” He brushed the cold pellets from his wet hair.
“Yeah, I tried to call Teagan, but no signal. Wouldn’t help if you had your phone. We’re in a black hole for service. Well, Lisa brought you good luck or else I wouldn’t have been on the road.”
“I’ll reschedule my meetings. If you want to camp overnight at the Moose, I can offer you a couch. At least Lucy’s not alone.”
“She won’t lack opinions with Lisa there. Thanks for the place to crash. I’ll decide when we get to your place. Buckle up. It’s slow going. The roads are slippery. We got a long drive ahead of us.”
“I’ll be glad when the phones work. I need to talk to Lucy. Hastings may have planned my accident for a reason.”
“Once we’re closer to Barley, we shouldn’t have a problem.” Noah keyed his engine and eased the car into the lane. The ka-ching and buzz sounds alerted them Noah’s cell was working.
“Guess we’re back in cell tower range. That was quick.” Noah pulled over to the shoulder. “I’ll take a look.” He pulled out his phone and stared at his screen.
“Big news?” What the heck was he reading?
“Sullivan put out a BOLO for you. I won’t be driving you straight home. We better clear that up. I can alert the chief to check on the women at the Moose.”
“No time, Cassidy.” Liam grabbed the key from the ignition. “I waited five years for Lucy to come home. I’m not sitting around while Sullivan asks me twenty questions until I see she’s safe. Nothing is keeping me from her. Give me your word we’re headed to the Moose.”
“Maybe this will convince you to change your mind.” Cassidy whipped out his weapon.
Crap. Standoff.
* * *
Matt? Quivers of fear bombarded Lucy.
“I missed you, Lucy,” he said with a twisted smile. “Did you miss me?”
“Nooooooo.” Lisa shot forward. Her scream echoed in the hall. Her arms outstretched, her fingers cupped as claws, she attacked his face.
He drew back his fist and slammed it into the teen’s jaw. Lisa fell against the wall and slid downward.
“Lisa.” Oh, my God, was she dead? Lucy crouched beside her. Desperate for signs of life, she focused on the girl’s chest, barely rising and falling.
“Go sit.” Matt shoved Ali toward the dining room.
She walked to a chair without protest. Ali’s blank expression alerted Lucy that the teen wouldn’t help them.
Matt pointed to Lisa. “Lucy, take her shoulders and drag her next to Ali.”
“She’s unconscious. Lisa. Lisa.” What if she needed a doctor?
“The girl attacked me. Do as I say and we’ll have a friendly reunion.”
“You better leave. Liam will be back soon, and he’s bringing a group of people with him.”
Matt’s hand encircled her throat.
Shock and terror pumped through her. Breathe. Just breathe.
He yanked her to her feet, closing off her air. Gagging, she scratched and tugged at his strong, unmoving fingers.
She dragged in a whisper of oxygen as he loosened his grip.
“I’ve bad news about your old boyfriend. His vehicle is not performing up to capacity. I’m afraid he’ll be suffering an accident.”
“N…o.”
Applying pressure, he forced her against the wall. He peered into her face.
Her vision blurred. Panicked, she dug her nails into the backs of his hands.
He smiled. “You were always pretty, Lucy.” The barrel of the gun brushed across her cheek while his lips twisted with contempt. “I loved you more than any other woman, and you turned me in to the police. You told them I drove the car that hit you.”
She was choking!
He released her and leaned away from her while keeping his weapon pointed at her.
She heaved oxygen into her lungs, gasping, “You tried…to kill me.”
“Because you planned to betray me to the church. Later, you did.” His mouth contorted. “It’s time for your penance.”
“Please, I was punished. I almost died in the hospital.” Liam’s gun is in the register. Get to the register. “I’ll give you money. Just leave.”
He studied her. Did he believe her? She felt her body shaking.
“Why isn’t the cash kept in a safe?”
“Everyone left in a hurry because of the storm.
”
His eyes flashed with interest. He knew it was true. He must have been watching for a while.
Matt motioned. “Get me the money.”
She glanced at Lisa, who was still lying on the floor. Fear stiffened Lucy’s legs. She took forever to cross the dining room. Her one chance. She couldn’t make a mistake. Would it work? Sweat trickled down her forehead.
She stepped behind the checkout counter and hit the No Sale key. The drawer popped open. It was empty except for the credit card. Now what?
Matt narrowed his eyes. He leveled his weapon on her.
“I forgot it’s in the bottom tray.” She fumbled with the plastic in her damp hand. Please. Work. Please work.
She ran the rectangle through the reader. The lower part of the register jutted forward. This was it. Mentally, she rehearsed. Grab gun. Aim. Shoot.
Across the floor, Lisa charged at Matt, a whiskey bottle in her fist. He whirled toward her. She slammed the glass jug down, knocking his firearm to the floor.
Now. Lucy grabbed the gun and aimed. “Stop or I’ll fire.”
Matt pulled Lisa in front of him. “I can strangle the life out of her or you can shoot her to get me. You remember our game, Lisa.” He ran his finger over her cheek. “You know how it felt when you were dying, fighting for air, and then blacking out. Only for me to revive you. Day after day until you begged to die.”
Lisa’s eyes widened with fear. She struggled to loosen his grip. “Shoot him, Lucy. Do it.”
Matt raised her off her feet, using her as his human shield
Sweat trickled into Lucy’s brows. She remembered Liam’s words at the castle. It’s not loaded. You’ll scare off a lot of people by waving this sucker around. Was it empty?
“Now!” Lisa screamed.
Instinct took over. She heard Gramps’s voice. She was at their backyard target practices. “Hold steady, feet braced for the kickback. Concentrate.”
Matt was speaking to her, but she blocked out his threats.
“Press, don’t squeeze the trigger,” Gramps insisted.