Page 89 of Spiritwarrior

He clicked his tongue at her. “Then we’re at a stonewall.” The man leaned back against the car behind him.

She started crying, terrified for her parents, that Jody might have ignored her and could show up at any minute and be killed.

“I don’t even know anyone with that kind of money.”

“Luckily for you, I’m willing to take something Marty was holding as a replacement.”

Her eyes widened. “What? I received none of Marty’s personal possessions.”

“This was in the restaurant. I saw it for myself when I came in.”

She stared at him in confusion.

“I want the clock hanging on the wall.”

Dumbfounded, she could only stare at him. Why did he want the clock? He had kidnapped her parents for a clock?

“Get in my car. We’re going to the restaurant, and you’re going to bring it out to me. When I have the clock, I’ll call and have your parents released, and you won’t see me again. Simple, huh?”

Tell him it’s not working, that it’s in Jody’s trailer.

A sudden breeze made her spin around, hearing Silas talking to her. Silas wasn’t there, though. No one was.

Slowly turning around, she saw the man had straightened from the car and was watching her warily. Had fear made her imagine hearing Silas’ voice? How was she able to hear him in her head when he wasn’t there?

About to ignore the voice, she heard it again.

Trust me. Bring him here.

There was no way she was going to jeopardize the Colemans, not even for her parents’ safety. She didn’t believe the man in front of her was going to let any of them live.

The wind blew stronger, blowing more forcefully, and a discarded cup whipped between their feet.

We are prepared. Trust us.

It was inexplicable that she was hearing Silas’ voice as if he were standing beside her. If she went with the man who had kidnapped her parents to the restaurant, they would be facingcertain death, but if she did what Silas wanted her to do, they might have a chance.Ifshe was really hearing Silas.

“The clock stopped working a couple of days ago. I took it to where I’m staying. Jody was going to fix it for me, but he hasn’t had the time.”

“You’re lying!” The man’s face had turned ruddy with anger.

“No, I wouldn’t lie to you.” She shook her head vehemently. “I don’t want you to hurt my parents. You can stay here, and I’ll go get the clock and come back.”

“I’m not letting you out of my sight. You’re lying about it not being in the restaurant.”

“I’m not. We can go to the restaurant, and I can prove to you it isn’t there.”

“Fuck!”

Turning to his side, he opened his car door. The wind blew again.

Roll the window down when you’re inside.

“Get inside.”

Petrified, she moved to get in the car. As she started to slide inside, the man punched her in her stomach, knocking her inside the car.

She held her stomach while he slammed the car door; her lungs felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her. Gasping for breath, she was afraid she was going to pass out.

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