Page 11 of Chasing the Past

Chapter Five

“Ithink he’s going to kill me.”

Asal’s whispered voice had Eli shooting out of bed. The fear there was clear.

“Where are you?”

“I’m still at the house. He met with someone earlier. A man. I just overheard him leave and then there was a call. The same person ordering Omar to get rid of me.”

Eli threw on his clothes. “I’m on my way. Can you get out of the house without being spotted?”

The length of time it took her to answer scared the daylights out of him.

“I think I can crawl out the window. Hang on.” Sounds that he couldn’t identify came through the call.

Then the distinct sound of a window being raised. A thud like something landing on the ground.

“I’m out.” Her voice became labored as if she were running.

“Good. Go to the back of the Hope Island Securities building. I’ll meet you there. Keep out of sight. When he finds out you’re gone, he’ll come looking.”

“Stay on the line with me.” Asal’s fear was clear.

“I’m not going anywhere.” Eli shoved his feet into his shoes and grabbed his jacket. He was out the door in less than two minutes.

“Oh no.”

“What’s wrong?” Eli jumped into his SUV and peeled out of the drive.

“I see headlights. It could be him.”

“Get out of sight, Asal.”

“I’m hiding behind some shrubs.” Her voice was little more than a whisper. “The vehicle is driving very slowly.”

“Are you still on the street near the house?” He whipped the vehicle into the neighborhood where the house was located.

“Yes.” She sucked in an audible breath. “He’s going by me now.”

“Stay as still as you can. I’m almost there.” Eli turned onto her street. “I see the car. It’s almost even with me now.” Eli did his best not to appear too curious about the driver as he passed by. It was the same car and the same driver he’d seen with Asal earlier.

Eli slowed his speed and watched as the man looked over at him and seemed to recognize him as well. The man hit the brakes briefly before continuing. Reaching the end of the street, the man turned the corner.

“He’s gone for now, but he definitely recognized me. Where are you?”

Asal jumped from her hiding place and ran toward the SUV. Eli got out and opened the passenger door for her.

He’d just closed the door behind her when a set of headlights appeared again.

“He’s coming. Stay down,” Eli said after climbing back into the driver’s seat.

Asal doubled over in the seat while Eli drove past the house.

The driver of the car, which he presumed was Omar, continued to follow.

“He’s following us. I’m going to have to try and lose him.”

Eli knew the island well. He immediately took the first right. As soon as he’d completed the turn, he floored the pedal and sped away.

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