AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Cole,” she croaked, swallowed, and tried again. “Cole will look for me.”
“Oh. I’ve already spoken to him. Somebody let the cat out of the bag to him. Too bad. Was it you, my dear?”
She moved her hands sideways, feeling for the door handle. Maybe she could throw herself out of the truck.
Tate Bishop backhanded her without taking his eyes off the road. “I know exactly what you’re trying to do. Forget it. If I have to disappear, I’m going to have my pleasure first. And finish off what I should have twenty-five years ago.”
Dana’s head rocked back against the seat, then fell sideways and hit the window glass. She blinked hard to clear her vision. She couldn’t die now. Not when she had just found Cole and was finally able to start living.
****
Cole skidded his truck to a stop at the intersection of a state road and a farm-to-market road where he’d asked everyone but the chopper and Scott to meet him. They were all standing there waiting for him. He could barely get the words out to tell them that the person they were after was his Uncle Tate.
The man who’d married his mother’s sister.
The man who had been like a second father to him for so many years.
Had talked him into taking this fucking job!
He was barely finished speaking when he heard his radio crackle and picked up the mic to answer.
“This is Scott. The chopper followed him as far as Fandango Road, but there’s no way he didn’t notice it. He pulled off the highway into thick trees, and we lost him.”
Cole fingers tightened on the mic. “Tell me exactly where you lost him.”
He listened to the information. What was it that was tickling the back of his mind? Something from when he was a kid. Someplace…
“I’ve got it.” He turned to Andi. “Let me see your copy of those aerial maps.”
Andi reached into her car and pulled it from the dashboard. Cole grabbed it, spread it out on the hood of the SUV, and jammed his finger in one spot.
“Right here in these trees. I remember an old cabin the cowboys used to use when they were riding fence line. It was long before they started using trucks and ATVs.” He smacked his head. “And Jesus. Oh Jesus. It’s got an old well behind it.” He spoke into the mic again. “Scott, remember we talked about…”
But he couldn’t finish. The thought of what they’d probably find in the old well nearly made him lose the coffee he’d just finished.
Andi took the mic from him. “Deke, patch me through to the chopper.” When Gaylen answered, she said, “Give these coordinates to George. We need to get started from where we are right away.”
“I’ve got them,” Gaylen answered. “Tell Cole we’re on our way.”
Cole took the mic back. “It’s dark. Can the chopper do this at night?”
Scott actually allowed himself a chuckle. “Give George a compass and coordinates and he can fly the Alps blindfolded at midnight. Just tell me the best way to approach the place from where I am now.”
Cole gave him the information, then tossed the mic back in his car. He buried his face in his hands, trying to find some semblance of control. “Jesus, Andi, he’s got her… He’s… Oh, God.”
“We’ll get to her in time, boss.” She squeezed his arm. “Come on. Let’s get moving.”
****
Dana’s head ached unbearably. Tate had tired of her cursing him and yanked a foul-smelling cloth out of the console, pressing it against her nose until she passed out again. She’d lifted her manacled hands to grab at his arm, but the anesthetic had worked too quickly.
She didn’t want to open her eyes now, but she had to see where she was. No cedar smell this time, so he wasn’t using the old barn. No doubt that place had been written off after the teenage boys had discovered it. Pushing hard to lift her eyelids, she saw Tate standing in front of her, a frightening grin on his face. Carefully, she slid her eyes from left to right. They were in a cabin. An old one from the looks of it.
She tried to sit up and discovered her hands and feet were tied to the bed. Goose bumps stippled her flesh and when she lifted her head to look, she was stark naked.
“That’s right, Dana. Or should I say, Carrie. Oh, yes. I know who you are. One good look and I knew.” He cackled. “Although you aren’t nearly as appealing as when you were a little girl. Still, I can take my pleasure.” He rubbed his hands together. “So. Let the games begin.”
Anger welled up from deep inside her. This was the man who had turned her entire life into a living emotional hell. The rage surged over the fear.
