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Kiefer stood and then helped Ashley to her feet. Marco reached behind his back and pulled out plastic wire fasteners. “Turn around.”
They did as he instructed. Marko fastened Kiefer’s wrists together behind his back and did the same to Ashley’s. He then used another band to attach them together at the hands, so that they were back to back.
“I’ll be back.” With that he kicked the chair out of the way and left. The door clicked shut behind him.
Kiefer whispered. “Let’s wait until we’re sure he’s gone.”
They stood not moving. Waiting. Listening.
“Let’s check the door first then go after the phone,” Kiefer said. “I’ll walk forward if you can go backward.”
There were a few missteps and a wobble back and forth until they found a rhythm. They made it to the door.
“Turn sideways and slide up next to the door and let’s see if we can get our hands on it.”
Ashley did just as he asked. Kiefer managed to reach the knob. It didn’t open. “Okay, let’s go after the phone. You forward this time and I’ll follow.”
Skirting the bed, Ashley led them to the spot where she’d left the phone.
“I don’t know how we’re going to do this,” she said.
“Back up as close to me as you can. We’re going to push against each other as we squat down. I want you to reach out and get the phone.” This plan had to work. He needed to get Ashley out of there.
“What about Jorge?”
“He’s passed out. Even if he wakes he’s too weak to move. The best way to help him is for us to get out of here.” Urgency filled him.
Kiefer waited until she’d pressed her back against his.
“On three let’s go down. One, two, three.” Slowly they moved toward the floor. Ashley pulled on his arms. His right shoulder strained to a painful point before she said, “I have my fingers on it.”
Thump. The phone hitting the floor told him she had at least removed it from under the mattress.
“Okay, let’s go up. Push hard against me and take small steps backward.” They worked themselves to a standing position.
“Now we have to get it off the floor.” Ashley moaned. “Marko could already be on his way back.”
“Let’s not worry about that. Let’s go down again and this time I’ll reach for the phone. The more you lean on me the easier it’ll be for you.” He waited until she pushed against him. “Go.” They worked their way toward the floor. Kiefer’s thighs burned as he went into a squat. Ashley groaned behind him. “Just a little more. I almost have it.”
Relief filled him when his fingers circled the phone. “Let’s go up. Not too fast or we’ll fall.” It was a slow process but they made it to a standing position again. “Swing your arms to the left.” Ashley did as he asked. Looking over his shoulder, he touched the screen of the phone. It still remained black. Disappointment washed over him.
“The battery is dead.” The words were a cry of anguish from Ashley as she looked back.
“Well, we can’t depend on that. We’ve got to get out of these handcuffs then out of this room.” He swung the phone so that it landed on the bed at Jorge’s feet. “Let’s go see what we can find in the kitchen. Lady’s choice—do you want to walk backward or forward?”
“I’ll take forwards. You ready?”
“Lead on.” At least he’d got a small chuckle out of her.
They shuffled their way into the kitchen.
“Okay, let’s start with the easy stuff and look through the drawers first,” Kiefer said. They slid sideways to the counter. “Let’s get it open.”
It took some maneuvering but they soon had a drawer open. Nothing. They shuffled to the next one and then the next. It wasn’t until his face and body were pressed against the wall and they had the last drawer open that there was a sliver of hope.
“I’m touching something.” The excitement in Ashley’s voice made his optimism soar. “I think it’s an old dinner knife.”
Kiefer held his position. “Get it out but don’t drop it, whatever you do.”
“I’ve got it. I’ve got it.”
He felt the metal across the top of one hand. “Let me hold it.”
“You don’t trust me?”
There was the old Ashley he knew so well. He trusted her more than anyone else he knew. “Yes, but I want you to cut your strap off. How sharp is it?”
“Not very, but it does have some serrations.”
“That’s better than nothing. Get started.” He held the knife while she worked her hands into position.
Moving her wrist back and forth, she pushed against the knife. “This is taking too long.”
“Just keep at it. We don’t have a choice.”
After an agonizing amount of time, the plastic finally broke. Ashley’s hands were free.
“Now I’ll do you.” She had already taken the knife from him.
“No, it takes too long. We need to look for a way out of here. Go see if you can open the door.”
She hurried out of the room and he followed. Ashley pulled on the doorknob. It wasn’t budging.
“Check the bathroom. See if it has a window to the outside.”
Again Ashley rushed from the room. Kiefer stood looking at the structure of the door. The hinges didn’t have pins. They were stuck.
“Kiefer, come here. There’s a window.”
He hurried to her.
“It’s not a very big one but I think I could get through it.” She was already standing on the commode, pushing at the window.
“You need to break it out. Pull off your jacket and wrap it around your hand. Pull your shirt over your face so that you don’t get hit by any glass.”
She did as he said and started striking the glass. It broke with a large crash.
“Now make sure all the edges are gone.”
Ashley worked her material-covered hand around the window frame. She stuck her head out the window. “It’s to the outside.” Excitem
ent filled her voice. “Now let’s get your hands undone.”
“No, you’re going through the window. I couldn’t get through it anyway. I need to stay with Jorge.”
“No, Kiefer. No!”
His look met hers. “You’re going after help. Now stop complaining and get moving. Climb up my back and wrap your arms around my neck. Then I want you to put your feet through the window, otherwise you would be going headfirst and I don’t want you to hurt that pretty head.”
She reached up and cupped his face, pulling his mouth to hers. Kiefer’s heart jumped. He’d missed her kisses. Thirsted for them. He pulled back. “Quit taking advantage of a man with his hands tied behind his back and get going.”
Ashley gave him a weak smile then stood on the commode to get into position. Kiefer backed up and straddled the commode. Ashley put her arms around his neck from behind and pulled herself up his back. Kiefer leaned forward as her body weight pushed against him. She lifted her feet, putting them through the opening.
She was halfway out the window when he turned around. “Run for the nearest lit area. I’ll be right here waiting when you get back. Now, get.” His gaze held hers until she dropped out of sight.
He wanted to say so much more but they were running out of time.
* * *
Ashley sprinted until her breaths were deep and her side hurt. Her blouse stuck to her in the warm, muggy night. Her feet throbbed from running in her pumps. She was in the warehouse district of the shipping area of Savannah. There was no life around, only the occasional dim security light. If Marko returned to find her gone he’d come looking for her. Surely kill Kiefer. A sick feeling filled her. That wasn’t going to happen.
She ran again. Surely she would find someone soon. Wouldn’t let herself think any differently. Headlights came toward her.
Joy made her heart jump. Help!
She stumbled and fell, pushed her way up again. Waving her hands back and forth above her head, she signaled for them to stop. A sick feeling hit her. For a second she dropped her arms. What if it was Marko? But what if it was help and they passed her by because they didn’t see her? She had to take a chance.
