Page 111 of Caught in the Crossfire

“Listen at the door in case Fisher or one of the others decides to pop in. They don’t trust us.”

“With good reason. I have a wedding in two months and one day. I’m not letting Fisher murder Mason.” She left the bed and went to the door. Occasionally, she heard movement from the hall. The guard must be restless and bored.

Men’s voices rumbled in the distance, growing louder, angry tones and sharp words that Nicole couldn’t make out. She backed away from the door. “Hurry,” she whispered. “Someone’s coming.”

At that moment, Dawn gasped and her wrists separated. “Got it. Now you.”

Heavy footsteps moved closer.

Nicole shook her head. “Go into the bathroom, fast. Get out if you can and run. I’ll stall them.”

“I’m not leaving you.”

“This might be our only chance to get help. They won’t hurt me. Fisher wants me as bait for Mason. Take the knife in case you need it for protection.”

“Nic…”

“We’re running out of time. Go,” she hissed.

With a determined expression, Dawn whispered, “I’ll be back with help.” She hurried into the bathroom and closed the door.

A second later, Nicole heard the soft scrubbing of wood, then silence. She prayed her friend escaped this nightmare. The way Patton had touched Dawn made Nicole fear for her safety.

Fisher would draw Mason to this campground, but her groom-to-be wouldn’t come alone. At least, he’d have Linc and perhaps one of the teams stationed at PSI as backup. Since they weren’t in Otter Creek, Ethan wouldn’t have jurisdiction here. Knowing him, though, Ethan would find a way to be part of the action.

The doorknob rattled and turned. Fisher came into the room with Patton on his heels.

Nicole’s stomach pitched and rolled, afraid she wouldn’t be able to give her friend a large head start. Patton would go after Dawn. If she delayed them long enough, her friend could at least find a place to hide.

Patton scowled. “Where is my woman?”

“She’s not yours.”

Fisher strode to the bed, grabbed Nicole by the hair, and twisted hard. “Where’s your friend?”

“The bathroom,” she snapped through clenched teeth. “Where do you think she’d be? A guard’s outside the door.”

Patton pounded on the bathroom door. “Hurry up.”

No response.

Nicole’s heart slammed against her ribcage. Had Dawn escaped?

More pounding by Patton. “You got one minute. If you make me come after you, you’ll regret it.”

“Oh, come on,” Nicole said. “It’s hard to use the facilities when your hands are tied. Give her longer than a minute.” She looked at Fisher. “When will you let us go?”

Mason’s coworker laughed. “You know better than that. I’m going to take care of business, then you’ll disappear along with your friend.”

Her blood ran cold. He planned to kill them. “What business? What’s your plan?”

“I’m going to kill your boyfriend and Linc Creed.”

“I’m done waiting.” Patton turned the knob and scowled. “She locked the door.” He moved back a few steps and kicked the door. The wood held. Muttering curses under his breath, he reared back and slammed his foot against the door. This time, the door gave way and smacked against the bathroom wall with a loud thud.

Patton’s face reddened in fury. “She’s gone.” He rounded on Nicole. “Where is she?”

“I don’t know.”

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