Page 26 of Preying Game

“Nothing.”

The gun swung back to her. “Don’t tell me nothing.”

Apparently he can see something, Jonah said. But he can’t hurt me.

You think.

She raised her chin. “Does it feel suddenly colder in here?” she asked.

“No,” Hayward shot back, then looked around again. “I’ve never seen a ghost here.”

“Maybe it’s the spirit of a slave who died on this plantation.”

He looked uncertain. “What makes you say it’s a plantation?”

“The house looks like it. It’s old. Big. Opulent.”

“Okay.” He stopped short as though he thought he’d given something away.

“Maryland was a slave state,” she said, watching him carefully. He didn’t deny they were still in Maryland, but he didn’t confirm it, either.

“Is the ghost a man or a woman?” Hayward asked.

“A man.”

“Did he look like a slave?”

“I don’t know. I couldn’t see him clearly. I felt the temperature in the room change and saw flickering.”

He made a dismissive sound. “I think you’re putting me on.”

“How could I?”

“By pretending something’s going on that isn’t.”

“I’m not pretending anything,” she protested. “And you’re the one who came charging in here because you said you heard me with someone.”

Anger flashed in his eyes, but he didn’t speak.

A few feet away, she saw Jonah move again. He drew back his foot and kicked out, striking at Hayward’s legs.

The kidnapper made a squeaking sound. “What was that?”

“What?”

He took a step back, torn between anger and fear. “You did something.”

She spread her hands. “No. How could I?”

“I don’t know.”

“I think this calls for an evaluation of the whole situation.”

“What do you mean?”

“I think we’re going to have to move things along a little faster.”

“What?”

“You’re causing problems, and I’m tired of dealing with you.”

She stared at him in shock as he backed out of the room. The door slammed, and she was alone with the supposed ghost.

What did he mean by that? Jonah asked.

Her mouth was so dry she could barely answer. Luckily she didn’t have to speak to say, I guess he means we’re going to have the hunt—soon.

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