Page 98 of Glimmer in the Darkness

Yelled, “Stop. Police.”

Then pulled his weapon.

James barreled into him, knocking him to the side.

Vince turned the weapon his direction.

James dove, lifted his own, pointed it at his friend.

Neither fired.

Neither moved.

James did his best not to focus on the gun aimed at his heart. Not to focus on the fact that, with a single squeeze of the trigger, he’d be dead.

Vince’s gaze flicked to James’s gun as well. That neither had fired proved the friendship was real. Even if it had been built on shifting sand.

“They’re getting away,” Vince said. “I don’t want to shoot you.”

James wasn’t sure he could say the same.

“If Cassidy didn’t do it,” Vince continued, “she’ll get a fair trial.”

“This isn’t about Cassidy.”

Vince’s eyes narrowed. His expression hardened, and he shouted toward the opening, “Bring her back around or your boyfriend dies.”

“Don’t do it!” James yelled. “Call 911.”

From the other end of the passageway, only silence.

Vince smirked. “I guess she’s not as devoted to you as you are to her. Of course, I could’ve told you that a long time ago, considering she killed your sister and disappeared.”

James wouldn’t rise to Vince’s bait. Where was Cassidy? She had to have been in the shaft when Vince pulled his weapon. Otherwise, why show his hand?

Had she made it through? Was Ella safe?

“What do you think is happening here?” Vince asked. “I’m trying to catch Ella’s kidnapper, and you’re letting them get away.”

“You’re trying to catch Ella and the one girl you let survive.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I figured it out, Vince. It was you. It had to be you.”

“You’re insane.”

“Here’s what I know,” James said. “I think you did it. Everyonw else thinks Cassidy did it. If you’re innocent, then use that handy little contraption on your left hip and call your friends at the station. They can take you both into custody, and we’ll let them sort it out from there.”

Vince scoffed. “Reid’s daughter is out there, and you’re letting her get away.”

“Escape. I’m letting her escape.”

Vince yelled, “Cassidy, you still there?”

A moment later… “I’m here. Ella’s hidden.” Her voice echoed from the passageway. James wanted to glance that way, but he was afraid to take his eyes off Vince and his weapon for even an instant.

“Come on through where I can see you,” Vince said.