Page 136 of Over the Edge

How could he ever have pretended to care for this woman?

How would he pretend in the future?

He swallowed past the bile rising in his throat.

Much as he needed money, could he really follow through with this killing just to salvage the prestige and high-end lifestyle he’d become accustomed to?

Especially when Lindsey was the intended victim.

James Robertson had been a stranger, but he knew theyoung woman who’d come to him for counseling. Had grown to care for her, as he cared for all his clients.

Yet if he didn’t see this to completion, he’d go to prison for the rest of his life—which could be of short duration if he got the death penalty.

A trickle of sweat that had nothing to do with his fever snaked down his temple.

He was stuck.

At this point, his scheme wasn’t just about financial survival.

It was about survival, period.

And there was no way out.

Lindsey had to die.

THE CAR HAD STOPPED.

Lindsey’s pulse accelerated as she continued to wiggle her wrists, doing everything in her power to loosen the cording that bound them. There was definitely more slack than there’d been at the start of this car trip, so her skin hadn’t been rubbed raw in vain. But was it sufficient to let her pull her hands free when the moment of truth came and she made whatever play the situation afforded her?

Unknown.

Yet she couldn’t risk doing much more. If the cording fell off too soon or drew the attention of her captors, it would tip them off to her plan.

The hum of the engine ceased, and her lungs stalled.

A few seconds later, the doors opened.

Half a minute after that, the trunk latch disengaged.

“Untie her feet while I check the door.” Heidi’s muffled voice came through the metal. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

A slight creak indicated the lid had been lifted.

The drawstring by her feet was loosened, and Dr. Olivergrabbed her ankles and pulled her toward the back of the trunk until her legs were dangling outside. He grasped her shoulders and sat her up, shielding her head with his hand. Like he cared about hurting her.

One more factor she might be able to leverage in her favor.

If only she could talk to him while Heidi was gone. Plead her case.

But talking probably wouldn’t produce favorable results, anyway. Action would be her salvation, if she could find the right opportunity.

“I’m going to stand you up, Lindsey.” He sounded out of breath. “Lean against the car for support if you need to.”

The next instant, she was heaved upright. Once she got her balance, he pulled the garbage bag up and over her head. The hat came with it, and her hair tumbled down.

While he bent to cut the cording around her ankles, she gave the area a fast appraisal as a cold wind whistled past.

They were parked beside what appeared to be a deserted industrial building. No lights pierced the darkness of the parking lot, nor were there any other vehicles visible. In the distance, outlines of other structures created hulking shadows against the night sky, and faint, random pools of illumination dotted the gloom. None close enough to shed light on the nefarious activity taking place here, however.

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