Page 118 of Floodgates

“Yes. Is Cord with you?”

“No,” I answered, “not at the moment.”

“Good. You need to come to Auto Haus Garage right now.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know, but he says you have to, or he’s going to hurt me.”

And suddenly what was happening started sinking in. “Oh shit.”

She whimpered softly.

“Where are you?”

“I’m here, at the garage waiting for you.”

“But not alone.”

“No.”

I was so cold, inside and out, scared for the first time, but not for myself. Not even for Celia. I was terrified for Cord. If anything happened to me, he would never forgive himself, and the idea of that made my heart hurt.

“Tracy?”

“Celia,” I said softly. “Are you hurt?”

“Not yet,” she answered, the catch in her voice making it wobble.

“Okay.” My throat was dry, and I couldn’t stop shaking.

“But he will, Tracy. He said he will hurt me if you don’t come now.”

“Who?”

“Please. Come now.”

“Celia, if I go wake up Cord, he—”

“No. Tracy… he… I have a baby.”

I knew she did. “Okay. I’m coming right now.”

“Just you, no Cord.”

“Got it.”

“The man with you, just do what he says.”

“I will.”

“He says nothing will happen to me if you follow directions.”

“Okay,” I said, after taking a breath. “So he’s right there talking to you?”

“Yes, he is, and I’ve been told to hang up. I’ll see you soon.”

The line went dead, and I had a moment to imagine how terrified she must be. I turned to the man beside me, placing the phone in his outstretched hand. “So I guess I’m coming with you.”