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He lifted the back of his shirt, and she reached for her gun, ready to pull it. But when he removed a file that had been tucked into his pants, she dropped her hand back to her side.
“You can have a read of this,” he said, holding the file out to her. “Then we can discuss.”
“Okay, but if you touch me, I’ll kill you.”
“Has someone abused you in the past? Is that why you’re cold as ice?”
“No, I just don’t like you. Normally, I’m a big teddy bear,” she said, her face deadpan.
He smiled. “Cute. But don’t worry. I talk a big talk, but I won’t touch you. I’ve been instructed not to lay a finger on you.”
“Is that so?” She walked up to him and snatched the file.
Before opening it, she stared him down to make sure he understood she wouldn’t allow him any leeway. Then she distanced herself from him and focused on the folder. Inside was one sheet of paper with only a few words written on it. With the limited light, it took her a couple of seconds to make out the writing.
Thanks for your help. Sweet dreams.
She looked up at him and, too late, sensed someone was behind her. Her hand went to her gun as she swung around, but she was thrown sideways, landing hard on her shoulder.
Her focus shrank to a pinpoint. In the seconds she had to react, she twisted her body, still reaching for her weapon, but couldn’t get her hand on it before she was kicked in the back. Another foot connected with her arm, rendering it useless as she curled up to protect herself from the blows.
She strained to hold onto her focus and find a way out. The attack paused long enough for her to roll into a striking position. But when she tried to right herself, pain exploded through her legs, and the beating started in again.
The man in the sweatshirt stood near but didn’t engage.
“I told you I wouldn’t touch you.” His voice sounded far away. “And I always keep my word.”
Why was she being beaten? Why not just kill her? Someone wanted her to suffer, but did they also want her to die?
She estimated there were at least three attackers, all kicking from what she could tell. Most of the blows hit her legs.
Then they gave her another reprieve. But when she looked up, all she could see was the boot swinging toward her head before everything went black.
Chapter2
Watching through his night-vision binoculars,Will could see two men in hardhats talking and pointing. He looked to where they’d indicated, then wiped the drizzle from the lenses and changed the focus so he could read the markings on the storage container that was the subject of their current conversation.
He trusted his source, but that source’s information had come with a caveat that the tip wasn’t airtight. After this many years of searching, no tip was strong.
Will had no way to know if he would find exactly what he was looking for inside that container until he opened it. So that’s what he would do. He owed Kelly that much.
“This has to be the one. God, please let this be the one.”
He’d followed years’ worth of leads. Each time, he hoped and prayed it would be the last. Early on, he’d come close several times, but lately, he’d been scrounging for a miracle that never eventuated.
But even though the years of searching had diminished his hope, his resolve held strong. After investing so much physically and emotionally, all he knew how to do anymore was keep moving forward with a dogged determination. He wasn’t even sure it would be possible to give up if he wanted to.
The sound of a vehicle approaching had Will directing his binoculars to the gate, where a car entered and parked near the other two men.
Now was the time to make his move. If he didn’t find what he was looking for, one of these guys might offer an alternative direction to take.
Tucking his binoculars into his backpack, he secured his gun in the holster at his hip, then slipped on his jacket to hide it.
After hurrying down the hill he’d been hiding on, he reached the pitted road around the corner from the junkyard, then circled to the open gate where he strolled toward the group like he was out for a leisurely walk. It would only give him an extra second or two before their confusion cleared, but that was all he needed.
He lifted a hand in a lazy wave once he was visible in the security lighting that flooded the yard.
The newcomer in the black Camaro hadn’t yet gotten out of his car, but he did as soon as Will was spotted.
