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Her heart stumbled. Raced on as the suspicion that had taken root in her mind this afternoon solidified.
The woman who’d befriended her at a fire scene months ago and with whom she’d shared companionable lunches was the killer in Les’s puzzle.
As Bri tried to absorb that bizarre reality and shift her strategy, Travis peered toward the new arrival. “I did what you asked.”
“Yes, you did. Your job is almost done.” She moved farther into the bunker but stopped about fifteen feet back from the lantern. “Put your gun and Bri’s beside the light, on the box.”
“Why do you want my gun?”
“Let’s just say my trust level is on the low side. You understand how that is. Once you do that, back away. After I have them in hand, your work here will be finished.”
“I don’t like giving up my gun.”
Alison lifted her latex-encased hand to reveal a pistol. She aimed it at Travis, within the circle of her light so he could see it. “I understand that, but I must insist. There’stoo much deception in the world. Set them on the box and back off.”
After another pause, Travis did as she instructed.
“Very good. You take instructions well.” Alison continued forward.
As the other woman approached the box, Bri gave her a swift perusal.
She was dressed for stealth, in all-black attire, her hair tucked under a black knit ski cap. Like someone in special ops on a life-and-death night mission.
Emphasis on death.
Alison picked up Bri’s gun first. Examined it for a moment.
Then she strolled toward Travis, aimed the Sig at his chest, and popped off two shots in rapid succession.
As Travis crumpled to the floor, Alison shot him again.
Bri vaulted to her feet and gaped first at him, then at Alison.
Dear God.
She was doomed.
While there was a slim possibility she could have talked Travis into letting her go free, a woman who killed in cold blood, with no hesitation, no display of emotion, wasn’t going to be swayed.
Alison set her gun and Bri’s on the box beside her, picked up Travis’s, and swung the harsh light her direction.
Fear clogged Bri’s throat, and her heart lurched into a gallop.
“Oh, Bri.” Concern etched Alison’s features. “Did he do that to your face?”
What?
The woman who was preparing to kill her was upset about her injuries?
Bri recalibrated.
If Alison did harbor any affection for her, that could be a tool.
Maybe all wasn’t yet lost.
“Yes.”
“What a scumbag.” Her disdain echoed off the walls. “I didn’t tell him to hurt you.”
