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“I don’t.” She shook her head. “I swear. The only contact I’ve had with him is the one letter.”
“My source said he was returning to town. Was gonna turn himself in, but first he would contact you.”
“Why?”
“Good question. I thought it was so that he could give you some more B.S. and lies that you’d publish in the paper.”
“No,” Katie insisted and heard the familiar sound of a pickup turning in at the drive.
Ray’s nostrils flared, as if he’d encountered a bad smell. “Who’s here?” he demanded.
“I don’t know.”
“Liar.”
“Really. No one knows I’m here.”
Ray’s face clouded. He reached into his pocket, and Katie couldn’t help but back up a step. There was a horrid click, the sound of metal snapping. A switchblade flashed. “Oh, God,” she whispered.
At that moment, the sound of Luke’s boots hit the back porch. She looked through the window and shook her head as she spied his rugged face, twisted with concern. “Katie?” He knocked loudly as Ray stepped away from the door. “You in there?”
“Go away!” she yelled.
“Shh.” Ray reached forward, grabbing her arm, but she resisted, pulling away, kicking at him with her feet, hearing the sound of Luke swearing and banging on the door.
“Let go of me!” She yanked away, but he grabbed her again, forcing her close, the smell of grease from his uniform filling her nostrils. Hard muscles restrained her, and the knife was ever-present in his left hand.
“Katie!” Luke’s voice thundered through the house.
“Who’s that?” Ray snarled.
“A friend.”
“Tell him to get the hell out.”
“Luke, go away!” she cried, as worried for him as she was for herself.
There was a split second of silence.
Crash! Glass splintered and sprayed. A body, huddled against the impact, burst into the room and rolled over the broken glass.
“Damn.” Ray twirled, lifting Katie off her feet as Luke, recovering, found his footing and, all muscles flexed, eyes glimmering with fire, advanced.
“Stop!” Ray commanded.
“Let her go,” Luke ordered through lips that barely moved.
Ray’s grip tightened. Katie could scarcely breathe. “Get out!” he shouted at Luke.
“Are you okay?” Luke’s gaze touched Katie’s for an instant.
“Get out or I’ll cut her,” Ray threatened. The knife was poised high, glinting in the fading sunlight. “I swear it, man.”
“Leave her be.” Luke didn’t move, just crouched, his gaze trained on the knife.
Fear congealed in Katie’s blood. “Let me go,” she demanded. “There’s no reason for this.”
Tense, appearing as if he’d lunge at any second, Luke took a step toward Ray. “Who are you?”
