AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He led her up the path, swinging her backpack onto his shoulder. He wasn’t usually into the gentleman stuff—his mind just didn’t work that way—but he felt a tremendous amount of sympathy for what Shannon was about to go through. She was a naïve kid—more naïve than most sixteen-year-olds, because she’d spent her life on balance beams and parallel bars rather than experiencing a normal socialization process with other k
ids her age, growing and maturing because of it. She’d also just lost her entire Olympic future as well as her health, and had been dragged into a majorly perilous situation. As if that wasn’t enough, she was about to find out that her only trusted ally was dead, with a virtual stranger taking her place.
Not only did Milo know how essential it was to get Shannon on their side, he truly wanted to get her on their side, to make her feel like she still had friends who were there to help. Friends who, thanks to Forensic Instincts, were in a much better position to keep her safe than Julie Forman had ever been. He was relieved as hell that Emma was waiting in their apartment, ready to convince her of that.
Leading the way inside the building, Milo gestured toward the stairs, and he and Shannon trudged up the two flights to the apartment.
“Here we are,” he announced, pulling out his keys and fitting one in the lock. With one quick turn, the door opened, and they were inside.
The wonderful smell of homemade cooking wafted to their nostrils, telling them that Julie was already home.
“We’re here!” Miles called out, waiting until Shannon preceded him inside before he shut the door and turned the bolt behind him, ensuring the closed quarters they required.
“Julie?” Shannon called out in excitement.
“Hi, Shannon.” Lisa emerged from the galley kitchen, Emma coming up quietly behind her. “I’m so relieved that you’re safe.”
At first, Shannon broke into smiles. She rushed toward the person she thought was Julie, arms open and ready to give her a big hug.
Then she abruptly halted in her tracks.
“You’re not Julie.” All the blood drained from her face. “Who are you? Where’s Julie?” Shannon’s gaze darted from Lisa to Emma. “And who are you?” She didn’t wait for an answer. She whipped around, saw Milo standing with his back against the door. “Oh my God, are you kidnapping me?”
“No, nothing like that, I promise.” Lisa was shaking her head, feeling the weight of the world was on her shoulders. Even though Emma was right by her side, she felt as if this crucial part was hers and hers alone.
Emma proved her wrong. “It’s okay, Shannon,” she said with a reassuring smile. “My name’s Emma Stirling. I know you’re in trouble. But you’re safe here. Really. You won’t believe it yet, but all three of us are on your side. We’re here to help you, not hurt you.”
“I don’t know you,” Shannon whimpered.
“But you do know me.” Lisa followed Casey’s advice and made no move to step closer or make Shannon feel cornered in any way. “I’m not a stranger. You’re just not putting me in context.”
Shannon stared, her breath coming in hard, frightened pants. Recognition dawned but did nothing to abate her fear. “You worked at one of the gyms where I trained with Julie. Designer Fitness. You did all sorts of odd jobs. I remember thinking how much you and Julie looked alike.”
Fear transformed to terror, widening the pupils of Shannon’s eyes. “You’re the one who got shot outside Julie’s apartment. You’re supposed to be dead. But if you’re not…if you’re here…what happened to Julie? Is she… Oh my God…”
Wildly, Shannon turned to flee, only to find Milo still standing in front of the doorway. The girl stood there, cringing like a caged animal, and then slowly sank to the floor, her entire body quaking with tears.
“You killed her,” Shannon whimpered. “You killed Julie. And now you’re going to kill me. You work for them. Jim’s dead. Julie’s dead. Now it’ll be me. And I walked right into it. Oh my God…”
“Shannon, stop.” Emma knew it was time to toss the rule book out the window, thinking of what Claire had taught her about following her instincts. She gestured for Lisa to go to Shannon.
Following Emma’s direction, Lisa walked over, squatting in front of Shannon and gently gripping her forearms. “We’re in the same boat you are—scared and in danger. And, no, I didn’t kill Julie. But I did see her get killed. And it was too much for me. I ran and came here to set up my gym, pretending I was Julie so that no one would look for me.”
Shannon didn’t respond. But the tremors running through her body seemed to subside a little.
“My name is Lisa Barnes,” Lisa continued, speaking as calmly and frankly as Casey had advised. “I met Julie at the gym, about a week before she died. She offered me a job and a place to stay—both of which I desperately needed. She was incredibly kind and generous, and I owe her a lot—and that includes taking care of you, who I know she cared about. Whatever illegal activities are going on, I walked straight into the gunfire, just as you did. We need to stick together to stay alive.”
This time, Shannon lifted her head and gazed at Lisa with questioning tear-filled eyes. “I don’t understand. Why did you run away to New Jersey? Why didn’t you talk to the police? They could’ve helped us. Why did you switch identities with Julie? Now they have no idea that she’s the one who’s dead.”
“I know. Shannon, I have my own baggage. I thought it was me the killers were after. Selfishly, I was afraid for my own life. As long as the cops and the killers thought Lisa was dead, and that Julie knew nothing about their drug dealing, I’d be safe. As for New Jersey, buying the gym came along at the right place at the right time. I’ve always wanted to do this. So I grabbed my chance to get out of Chicago and start over.”
“So it’s been you I’ve been messaging with all this time?”
“Yes.”
“And who is he?” Shannon pointed to Milo. “Where does he fit into all this?”
Lisa let out a breath. “He’s exactly what I said he was—my best and most trusted friend. He’s also a computer genius. Once I started getting your PMs and realized what was going on, I got Milo involved. He’s done a ton of research and found out a lot—all of which I’ll share with you if you come in and eat. Please, Shannon…” Lisa squeezed her hands. “I know how scared and confused you must be. But we can help keep you safe and make sure these criminals are caught. Just have some dinner, hear us out, and then, if you still want to take off, we won’t stop you.” Please don’t let that be the outcome, Lisa thought, even though she knew that Patrick was on security detail, ready and waiting to follow Shannon if she ran.
