I pace toward the door, and Claudia moves out of the way. As I pass her, she whispers, “I saw your boyfriend.”
I stop dead. “What?”
She nods. “When we were tied up.”
I gasp. “Did you say anything?”
Claudia purses her lips, shaking her head.
I clasp my hands together, thankful. “Okay, but why not?”
Claudia places her hands over mine. “He wasn’t like the rest of them. When they weren’t looking, he told me everything would be okay. That, as long as I stayed quiet, I wouldn’t get hurt.”
My eyes brim with tears, and I sniff hard. “He did that?”
Claudia nods. “He made sure the binds weren’t too tight over my wrists. I had to tell the police I saw Scorpion jackets, like the other staff members, but it was clear he came here against his will.”
I exhale my first steady breath since yesterday. “He wanted to make sure we were all okay.”
Claudia smiles kindly. “He’s messed up with the wrong kinds of people.”
I nod. “I begged him not to go back to them.”
“Maybe we should talk to the police about getting him out? We can vouch for him being a good person.”
“Right now, the police think it was a copycat group. If we say anything, they’ll think Dax masterminded the whole thing.”
“So how do we help him?”
“If Dax’s brother thinks he pulled off the robbery without any hitches, maybe Dax can break free of him.”
Claudia looks around our immediate area with fretful eyes. “Do you think he’d come back here?”
An answer pops into my head, and my heart pounds with hopefulness. “No, he’d hide out. And I might know where. Will you cover for me?”
Claudia gasps. “Cover for you? You shouldn’t be going anywhere. Your parents want you home while the police investigate.”
“I can’t leave him alone. Just tell my parents I’ve gone to the third floor to be alone.”
Claudia’s eyes dart to the nearby hallway and then back to me. “But where are you really going?”
I smooth back my hair, pretending I’ve got it together. “I’ll take a car so I can be tracked. I just need a head start.”
“No, Miss Ashworth.” Her eyes water. “I don’t like this. You can’t go.”
I lean in and kiss her cheek. “Thank you for everything you do for me. You’ve always made my life so easy. I know this is the hardest thing I’ve ever asked of you, but I need your help.”
She sucks back her tears, and nods. “Okay. If you’re sure.”
I smile and nod. “I’m sure.”
Twenty-Eight
Ashgrabbedme,tryingto berate sense into me, but I shoved him off. As far as he knows, I’m going to Sylvie’s house. He yelled at me to stay, fearful of my lies, but I wasn’t letting him slow me down.
In the garage, I snatch the Porsche 911 keys, a swipe card, and speed onto the driveway. With Murphy off the property, Claudia is tending to my parents' needs and ready to be vague about my whereabouts. I just need a chance to get onto the road.
When the service gate opens, I slam my foot on the accelerator. The car whirs past a patrolling officer’s car, but I hold steady behind the ultra-tinted windows. No doubt the officer will call this in to Sheriff Lennon, dismissing it as my father leaving the property.
