Page 37 of Preying Game

At first there was no answer, and she repeated his name, hoping against hope that he was nearby.

Then the sound of someone calling her name made her almost cry out before she clamped her lips shut. She thought Hayward was trying to get her to break cover.

Then she realized the word had not been vocalized. It was in her head.

Jonah? My God, is that you? She had almost given up hope of seeing him tonight, but now he was here—calling her, and relief flooded through her.

Yes, he answered.

Where were you?

I had a little problem, but I’m here. Thank God I heard you calling. That got me over the hump.

What happened?

He hesitated for a moment. I’ll tell you later.

What? she pressed.

It’s a long story.

Something about the way he said it made her nerve endings tingle.

Focus on me, he said.

She did as he asked, and all at once he was standing almost beside her, his ghostly form shimmering in the moonlight. Like her, he seemed to be dressed in black. She reached for him, closing her eyes as she felt him move in close. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his body.

I thought you weren’t coming, she admitted.

I wasn’t sure I could get here. But it looks like I made it. For a long moment, she clung to him, wishing he could hide her from Hayward. But she knew that was only a fantasy.

We have to get busy, he said before he eased away.

What are we going to do?

You stay here, he said. I’m going to see if I can locate the bastard.

Wait! I have matches. I stole them from his desk.

He drew in a quick breath. The fire.

What?

Stay here while I look for him.

She pressed farther into the bushes, watching Jonah stride away. Was she really going to make it out of here alive? Maybe with Jonah’s help.

Her heart pounded as she waited in the moonlight. Finally she saw Jonah coming back.

He’s in front, but he’s coming this way.

What should I do?

I’m going to try the ghost trick again.

oOo

Jonah watched the bastard with the gun walk confidently around the side of the house. He seemed to be sure of Alice’s location.

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