Page 31 of Cornered

“To your car.”

The pressure on her head had moved to the vicinity of her left kidney. “Don’t try to call out or alert anyone.”

“You can’t kill everyone here.”

“I don’t need to.”

Meaning just her? Who was it? She didn’t think it was Benji. It definitely wasn’t Cherry.

“No!”

At her yell, he jerked her to a stop. She took advantage of his momentary surprise to yank out of his grasp and run for her car.

“Hey!” His shout echoed behind her.

“Someone help me!”

Only the place was a graveyard. Where was everyone? She continued her race toward her vehicle but took a circuitous route, dropping behind other cars and darting around anything that could offer her cover. When she finally made it, she threw herself into the driver’s seat, locked the doors, and pressed the button to start the engine. The Subaru roared to life and she jammed the gas, spun the wheel, and aimed for the exit.

As soon as she was through the gate, she headed for Wilkins Gas station. She needed a phone. She’d have to take Youngstown Road, but it was the closest place to find help and—

She nearly jammed on the brakes.

Was this what happened to Brenda?

When she came to the curve, she glanced in the mirror and slowed almost to a crawl. It took mere seconds to get around it, but only when she was past it did she breathe again.

Another glance in the rearview mirror brought a scream to her throat.

The masked figure in her back seat pressed a gun against her shoulder. “Thank you for getting around that death trap. Now, here’s the plan.”

No, there wasn’t going to be a plan. She stomped on the brakes and twisted the wheel away from the mountain drop-off. The sudden jerk sent him slamming back against the door and he let out a harsh scream. The car shuddered to a stop, and she shoved open the door, pushed out of the driver’s seat, and headed for the tree line.

SHE WASIN TROUBLE.Tate’s gut screamed at him to hurry and he aimed his vehicle toward Youngstown Road. He hated that route as much as the next person, but shaving ten minutes off his time to get to Steph seemed like a good idea.Please take care of her, God. She has people who love her and need her in their lives. I need her in my life too, God. Don’t let me lose her when you’ve just introduced us. Let me get to know her. Please?

Cole was about five minutes behind him, telling him more information, and James was bringing backup. “How is Stan involved in this?” Tate asked, taking another hairpin curve a little too fast. He pressed the brake and gripped the wheel tight enough for his knuckles to glow white.

“That’s not clear. I’m hoping he can tell us when he wakes up. Also, I got a call from the lab. Stan’s DNA is not on the clothing found in his kitchen. Then again, they were freshly washed so that’s not surprising.”

“You think someone set him up? Left the clothes there to redirect the investigation?”

“I’m leaning that way. I went back for a second look and couldn’t find any other clean clothes. The dirty clothes basket in his bathroom was full.”

“Could have just decided to wash those and not the others.”

“True. How far away are you?”

Tate slammed on the brakes. “Found her car. This side of the curve on Youngstown Road. Doors are open. Front driver and back driver’s side. I think she’s on foot going through the woods somewhere.”

“I’m almost there.”

THIRTEEN

STEPH CRASHEDthrough the underbrush with a quick glance behind her. The man who’d taken her was familiar, but she couldn’t place him. The mask hadn’t helped, but his voice...

It was the same man who’d spoken to her when he’d broken into her home. Definitely not Stan. And not Benji. She let her gaze bounce from tree to tree, desperately searching for something. Anything that would give her shelter from the man chasing her.

“Stephanie, stop! You’re making this so much harder than it needs to be!”

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