Page 59 of Peril in Piney Woods

“Negative,” Phillips confirmed.

“It’s time,” Meg said. “I have to go.”

Griff stepped toward her. “I’m going with you.” When she would have argued, he said, “Unless Norwood takes me into custody or you kill me, I’m going. Either with you, or I’ll run down the middle of the street behind you.”

THE MAN WAS the most hardheaded—

Meg drew in a big breath. She was wasting time. “Fine. You can go with me and get yourself killed too.”

That was exactly what would happen. They would walk in and they would both be killed. Ridley would likely kill Griff first just to torture her. The endgame was shutting her up. She had nothing else to offer. Nothing to use in trade. The only potential distraction she dared to hope might give her a fighting chance might not come through. At least she had tried.

Norwood pressed her lips together and shook her head in something that resembled defeat. “We’ve got people in the woods behind the diner. Deputy Porch is working on getting into the diner’s attic from the one in the bookshop. If he’s successful, he might be able to help. We’ve got Phillips directly across the street watching through his scope, ready to take one or more out. Roadblocks. Whatever happens, they are not getting away.”

Meg decided it was pointless to tell the sheriff that she had no idea who she was dealing with. Ridley would find a way. It wouldn’t matter if no one else survived. He would take care of himself above all else. He would vanish like fog rising off a lake in the sunshine.

It was the way they were trained. Meg had her knife in her sock. Her gun at the small of her back. And her one secret weapon that may or may not prove useful.

If she was really, really lucky, it would work, but she’d have to get that extra luck to even hope.

“There’s just one more thing,” Meg said to Norwood.

“Whatever we can do,” the sheriff insisted.

“Get your guy Phillips on the radio.”

Norwood did as she asked. “All right.”

“Phillips, if you get Ridley in your sights—”

“How will I know which one is Ridley?”

Meg purposely kept her gaze from Griff as she responded, “Because I’ll be with him.”

Griff’s forehead creased in question, but he said nothing.

“Noted,” Phillips said.

“If you get Ridley in your sights,” Meg went on, “take him out. I don’t care if you have to take me out with him. Just take him out.”

Meg didn’t give Norwood or anyone else time to argue, she walked away. Griff followed. They hurried down the backstairs and out the rear exit of her shop. Griff said nothing, just followed until she had loaded into the SUV.

He stood at the open passenger side door, but he made no move to get inside.

She glared at him. “I have to go.”

He nodded. “I know. But don’t go to the diner. Drive away. Get as far from here as possible. I’ll go take care of this for you.”

What the...?

He slammed the door and hurried away. She got out and shouted across the hood. “Griff, we have to go now. Get in the damned vehicle.”

He kept going, moving faster. Then he vanished around the corner of the building.

She jumped back into the driver’s seat and started the engine. By the time she had backed out and driven around to the street, he was in a dead run and nearly to the diner.

“Son of a...” She rammed the accelerator, barely overtaking him before he reached the diner. She made a hard right and stood on the brake to skid to a stop directly in front of him.

She jumped out and met him at the hood before he could get past her. “Don’t even think about it,” she warned, the air sawing in and out of her lungs, her heart thundering. She should kick his ass right now.

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