Page 57 of Trapped with the Covert Ops Soldier

Chapter Thirteen

“Take everything out.” Virgil’s tone was unforgiving and final.

“You’re going to get us all killed,” Abby said, but she knelt next to the hole and began removing the dynamite, laying out the bundles of sticks on the earthen floor. “JD, hold the light steady so I can see what I’m doing.”

For once he did as he was asked without any smart remarks.

No one spoke as she worked. A few minutes later, all the dynamite was out.

“That’s it, there’s nothing else in there.”

Virgil waved her away so he could look into the cavity. He examined the packed dirt bottom for a moment, then studied her and JD.

“Looks like I’ve got two choices,” he said in a tone that sounded so casual she knew it wasn’t. “Either we all forget this ever happened or I shoot the both of you and leave you in this hole.”

There was something hard in his gaze, something desiccated and dead. When most human beings looked at another person there was a moment of recognition. A spark of acknowledgement.

Virgil looked at them like they were inanimate objects without awareness or value.

An icy shiver whispered across her skin.He was going to kill them.

Abby started talking before she consciously thought about it. “Despite what everyone thinks, I’m not interested in dying.” The words coming out of her mouth were a surprise, but they were also the truth. She didn’t want to die.

“Neither am I,” JD said in his usual sarcastic tone.

“I don’t think the Sheriff is going to just walk away from his investigation,” Abby said, slowly trying to sound like she was considering the problem rationally. “Why don’t you tie us up, leave us up there in the shed and take off?”

“Who’s to say you won’t tattle as soon as you’re found?”

People from his generation respected a straight shooter. If she lied to him, even just a little, he’d kill her. “I guarantee you, I will,” she managed to say without her voice shaking. “But you’ll have a head start.”

A smile spread across his face, but it was so full of mean anticipation, it was a threat. “Doesn’t seem like much of a deal.” He liked this—the shock and terror and uncertainty.

Her temper ignited, burning away the cold heavy fear that had been weighing her down. “You shot at me three times because youassumedI’d found something Ihadn’t.” Her voice rose with every word.

“You know what happens when you assume Virgil,” JD added. “You make an ass out of you and m—“

“I know, I know, Jack. You don’t need to tell me.” Virgil chuckled, but the smile on his face still looked... wrong. “You’ve got balls, doc, I’ll give you that.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and let her weight rest on one hip. “It’s fair. You screwed up. Besides, a ghost like you shouldn’t have any problems staying lost with a decent head start.”

His expression didn’t change. “Yup, balls of steel.”

Keep up the tough act. “Ovaries of steel,” she managed to say though her mouth was almost too dry for words. “Thanks very much.”

After a moment, Virgil nodded. “Alrighty, doc. I’m going to go up first, then you and Jack can follow.” Virgil moved to the stairs and quickly climbed them. Then the lid of the hatch slammed down, enclosing them in total darkness.

JD swore.

Abby rushed to the stairs. She pushed up on the hatch, but it wouldn’t give. “He locked us in.” She punched the wood, for all the good it would do.

“Son of a bitch.” JD spat on the ground.

Abby pounded on the wooden door and yelled, “Let us out.”

Movement above their heads had her pausing. Thumps then a long drawn-out screech as something heavy was dragged across the floor. It made a loud thump right over their heads.

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