AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She passed the park, but wasn’t ready to sit down. She decided to walk along the bridge’s half-mile pedestrian path. Lake Austin was beautiful during the day, but it was ethereal at night, with the streetlights reflecting on the still waters.
She’d waved her greetings to a couple as they passed her. She wasn’t in any hurry. Deciding to cut her hike short, she stopped at the midway point and leaned against the rail, looking down to the murky water below.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it,” the stranger said.
“Oh, sorry. You startled me... but yes, it is beautiful.”
“Aren’t you surprised to see me here?”
“Pardon? I’m sorry, you must have confused me with someone else.” Chaos no longer felt at peace. The person didn’t look threatening, but there was something in the way her question had been asked that put Chaos on guard.
“Well, enjoy your night,” Chaos said as she turned to make her retreat. It was stopped when a muscular arm wrapped around her throat and pulled her back. Her attacker wasn’t as tall as Chaos, but was stronger. Chaos had obviously been sitting behind a desk too long, because she was powerless against her attacker. As she began to black out, she realized that unlike her earlier attack, she’d probably not survive the one-hundred-foot drop into the inky dark waters below.
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
Carter yelled at whoever was banging on his door to hold on.
“What?” he asked, still trying to snap his jeans despite not drying off completely after his shower.
“You’re here!” Byte nearly yelled at him.
“Where else would I be? I just left you downstairs an hour and a half ago.”
Byte walked past him, speaking to Ivy on the phone and confirming he was at the apartment. Ghost had been generous enough to let him stay at the apartment during their investigation. He knew not to get too settled, but was thankful to have a place to lay his head, as opposed to sleeping in his car another night.
“What is going on?” Carter demanded.
“Hold on,” Byte said as she plopped her laptop on the dining room table and began scrolling through logs.
“What are you looking for?”
“Your alibi.”
“Why would I need an alibi? What happened?” he demanded.
“Good, you’re here,” Ivy said as she and Ghost entered the open door.
“Of course, I’m here. My question is why are y’all? What has happened? Is Gwen alright?”
Why else would the three be circling his room?
“Go get a shirt on. Then we’ll give you an update downstairs,” Ghost instructed, just as he heard Byte yell out, “He’s clear.”
“I’m not moving an inch until I get answers. I’m clear of what?”
“Not leaving the apartment,” Byte answered.
“I didn’t realize I had to ask permission, but you are correct, I haven’t left the apartment. I left the office, just like you three, came upstairs, turned on the football game, and took a shower. And now I’m standing here half-dressed, demanding you tell me what is going on.”
“So you haven’t seen the news?” Ghost asked.
“No, I went to take a shower just as it was starting. Why? Did something happen to Gwen? She was going to a biker bar tonight. What happened?”
Carter began pacing the floor. He should’ve demanded to know her whereabouts, but he was trying to let them set the pace. They had information he wouldn’t ever know, and they had finally started to believe him.
“It’s not Voodoo,” Ivy answered. “It’s Daisy.”
“Wait, I don’t understand. Isn’t she at Gwen’s place?” Thinking the worst had happened, he stammered, “Oh no... no, no... no, please tell me she’s alive.”
