Page 45 of Close Quarters

Turning, she ran around to the driver’s side and got in. She grabbed all the napkins and twisted them into a thick rope so she wouldn’t have to take time once she was in sight of the cabin’s windows, then put the van in gear and bumped over the grass to park out front.

Eyes on the cabin’s door and windows, she slipped out of the van, napkin rope and lighter in her hands. At the rear of the vehicle, she twisted off the gas cap and stuffed the makeshift wick into the gas tank, leaving several inches hanging out.

“Here goes nothing,” she whispered to herself. She lit the lighter and touched the flame to the end of the napkins. As soon as it caught, she took off running, hiding behind one of the parked SUVs.

Peering over the hood of the car, she waited. “Come on, come on, come on. Blow, dammit!” Flames licked the side of the van now as the gasoline caught.

The fire flickered, then a small ball of flames whooshed out of the tank just before it exploded. She ducked and covered her head, waiting several moments before peering around the car again. The cabin door opened, and Pressley rushed out, his gun in his hand. He paused at the edge of the porch, glancing around. She knew she had to move now, or she’d lose her chance.

Katie ran around the side of the car and raised the pistol in her hands. “Pressley! Drop the gun and put your hands up!”

The man whirled in her direction, his eyes going wide as he saw her standing there aiming a gun at him. When his gun arm moved as he took aim at her, she fired one shot in his direction, deliberately missing him. He froze.

“That was a warning. The next one won’t miss. Drop it.”

He bared his teeth, cursing, but let the gun drop from his hand.

“Kick it off the porch.”

His foot swept it onto the grass below. “Dammit. I knew I should have just killed you all myself. How did you get away?”

“He made us tie ourselves up, then didn’t check the knots. Hitch knots look complicated and secure, but they come apart with one tug. Why did you hire such an inept contract killer, anyway?”

“He came recommended.”

She arched a brow. “By whom?”

Realizing he’d already said too much, he pressed his lips together.

“Fine. Don’t talk. I’m sure it’ll all come out in court.”

Movement from her side caught her attention. Alex emerged from the trees. He ran past her and up the porch steps to handcuff Pressley.

“Ow! That’s too tight.” Pressley stood on his toes as Alex closed the cuffs.

Katie heard one more click.

“Yeah? Well, your daughter can’t feel anything ever again. Tony killed her. Deal with it.” He yanked on Pressley’s arm, hauling him down the stairs.

Lowering the gun, Katie opened the back hatch on Tony’s SUV. Alex put him inside.

“Watch him. I’m going to go get Reeves.”

She nodded, and he jogged off. Pressley sat against the window, his knees drawn up and his head bent. He stayed that way even as Alex walked up with the deputy over his shoulders.

Katie shut the hatch, then opened the back passenger door and climbed in. Alex lowered Reeves to the seat, and she helped pull him across. Blood still oozed from his shoulder, and his breathing rattled. She fished in her pocket for the car keys.

“Here.” She threw them at Alex. “Drive.”

He caught them with a deft hand and didn’t hesitate to climb into the driver’s seat.

“You still got that phone?” he asked as they shot down the gravel driveway to the highway.

She took it from her back pocket, keeping an eye on Pressley, who still sat staring at his knees. Turning on the screen, she cursed. “It still says no service.”

Alex turned onto the highway and gunned the engine. “Keep checking.”

“Duh.” She stared at the screen, willing a bar to pop up. Alex rounded a sharp bend, and the road opened to the valley below. Two bars popped up on the screen. Heart leaping into her throat, she pushed the emergency call button, then send to connect with nine-one-one.

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