Page 77 of Asher's Assignment

Margot shot to her feet and grabbed his arm to steady him. “Slow down, killer. I put a tarp down and a sheet over that. Your tile should be unscathed.”

“You could have led with that,” he said, running his free hand over his face.

She chuckled. “And miss watching you panic? Never.” She glanced at the camera again. “We’ll talk to you guys later. Yell if you need us.”

“Will do,” Edie said.

Margot leaned down and clicked the mouse, and the screen went blank.

“We are definitely going to pay for leaving her there with all of them,” Annabeth muttered.

Edie’s mouth tipped up. “Probably.”

“I, for one, am glad we’re not there, though.” Audra shook her head. “I think we should stay here until they’re all better. That does not look fun.” She leaned forward and picked up her phone, sending a text. “I’m messaging Jo. To see if she’s free for a quick call.”

The message no sooner went through than she had a reply. “Yep. Okay.” Setting the phone down, Audra picked up the laptop.

“So, what’s the current bet on when Max and Margot get married?” Edie asked.

Annabeth rolled her eyes. “Never, if you ask her. He’s ‘just a friend,’” she air-quoted, pitching her voice up.

Brooke snorted. “He says the same thing.”

“Right? It’s so wrong.” Annabeth shook her head. “I’ve never seen two people who belong together more. He’s so good with the twins. And he’s been just what Margot needed to get over Tad’s abrupt departure from their lives.”

Esther didn’t know much about Margot’s past. Only what Edie had told her and what she’d gleaned from her week in Costa Rica. If she didn’t know better, she’d think they were a couple. That those kids were his. One day, it would hit them. The love. She knew that from experience. She hadn’t wanted a relationship with Asher, but her feelings didn’t care. They wanted him, and nothing would stand in their way.

“What have you got?”

Jo’s voice broke through Esther’s thoughts.

“A name,” Audra said. “Bradley Lennox. He’s Lindy Nieman’s ex-boyfriend. She said they met in college. He’s possibly working as an engineer. She said they were both engineering majors, and that he was really gifted. See what you can find out about him. An address would be amazing. Also, do you think you can hack a security system and get some footage of a guy the witnesses to Leah’s abduction fingered?”

“Oy. You don’t ask much.”

A smile tilted Audra’s mouth. “I know you can do it. And if it’s not Bradley Lennox, then we need to find out who it is. It could be no one important. Just a diner with a staring problem. But you’ll work faster than the police.”

“Stroke my ego, why don’t you? Fine. I’ll let you know when I have something.” The computer made a boop sound.

Audra closed the lid and set it on the table. “Well, I guess now we wait.”

Esther’s jaw clenched. Jo’s fingers couldn’t work fast enough.

Thirty-Two

Alow groan went through the ceiling above Asher’s head. He peered up through the darkness, listening. Their captor was on the move.

“Is it time, Asher?”

“Maybe.” Asher sat up, nudging Leah back. “You stay here and keep quiet; just like we talked about, okay?” He’d clued Leah in on his plan earlier, not wanting her to be surprised if things turned chaotic.

Getting up, he kept an ear tuned to the ceiling as he made his way to the stairs. Tiptoeing to the top, he crouched down against the wall. Judging by the light level outside and how long it had been dark, he’d guess it was about time for dinner and Leah’s meds.

Minutes ticked by. Blood pulsed in Asher’s ears and his calves burned from holding his crouch. But he didn’t dare move. He could miss his window of opportunity. He’d have one chance at this. If he failed, he’d end up cuffed again. Or worse.

The small sliver of light coming in under the door flickered. Asher heard the slide of metal at the top of the door and the bottom. He listened intently but didn’t hear the jingle of keys. Was the door only bolted and not locked? That could be a good or a bad thing.

The knob rattled. His muscles tensed.

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