Page 54 of Shrouded Past

She returned to rinsing dishes without answering while the wind screamed with renewed anger. Seemingly warning of a bad ending.

Chapter Ten

They’d found him. Well, he’d known it was only a matter of time. But in this storm? He thought he had time to complete his mission and leave before he was uncovered.

He’d waited until the nearest neighbors left and then broke in. Close enough to watch what was happening. Waiting for the right moment.

The house was hurricane-proofed. Good for those who were trying to protect their property. Bad for him because he couldn’t see anything.

He’d ripped the protective boards away. Despite the sheets of rain that hindered him, he kept watch over the house. He’d seen three leave. Still, there were others inside. He stepped from the window and paced the living room, chewing on his thumbnail.

The weather had been running in a continuous loop on the TV. He whirled toward it. The hurricane was expected to weaken in strength when it struck land on some of the smaller islands, but, much to the meteorologist’s surprise, it hadn’t. Just like him. He’d almost gotten caught many times, his connection tohimrevealed, and yet he’d kept his cool and survived. Yet there would be no surviving this if he didn’t follow through with his promise. At this point, he had nothing to lose. If he died in this storm trying to fulfill his obligation, then so be it. Nothing a hurricane could do to him would compare to the excruciating pain he’d be put through before death if he failed.

He grabbed the sandwich he’d been munching on and went back to watching the window while his sleep-deprived brain worked on a plan to force them out of their hiding place.

He crunched a handful of chips and realized there was only one way that would work. One that always worked.

With a grunt of satisfaction, he went to work on the perfect plan, drawing it up on paper while noises coming from the basement reminded him he had unfinished business.

“Shut up down there.” He went over to the basement door and yelled down the stairs, his anger mostly directed at himself. He should have handled the person in the basement when he’d taken the other out, but he had a moment of weakness that could cost him everything.

???

When Will’s number popped up on Bryce’s phone, he didn’t see it as good news.Just the opposite, in fact. In the middle of the worst storm to hit the island in years, Will wouldn’t be calling without good reason.

Bryce barely got the greeting out before Will interrupted. “We found a body.”

Those chilling words had Bryce turning toward the sofa where Piper had actually managed to fall asleep.

He quickly stepped into another room. “Any idea who it is?”

“Nothing yet. He’s in bad shape. We found him in the water. The storm had done some damage. We can’t tell how long he’s been dead, but I’m guessing he may have been on one of the smaller neighboring islands.” The disgust in Will’s tone was clear. “There’s no ID. I’m hoping we can identify him by his prints.”

“You think it’s Darby?” Was it possible Darby had been hiding out on one of the islands when the storm struck?

“We’ll know more when the medical examiner and our forensics team has had a chance to examine the body.” Will blew out a breath that sounded as weary as Bryce felt. “How are things there?”

“Tense. The storm has everyone on edge.” Including Bryce. He’d faced down many a blizzard in his time, but he hadn’t seen anything like Henre.

“Understandable. I fear it’s just getting started with the island. We have some long hours ahead of us. Hang on a second.” Wind gusts replaced Will’s voice before he returned. “Looks like the medical examiner is here. I’ve got to go. Keep me posted if anything happens there. Let’s hope the storm doesn’t disrupt cell service.” As if to punctuate the warning, the call ended abruptly.

The thought of losing cell service was alarming. If the kidnapper chose to strike again, there would be no way to call for help. It would be just them against a very determined person without anything to lose.

“Was it bad news?”

He swung toward Piper’s voice. He hadn’t realized she was in the room until she spoke.

Bryce shoved the phone back into his pocket and told her what Will had said.

Her dark expression lifted. “I hate that he’s dead, but this is good news. He can’t hurt anyone.”

“If it’s Darby and he’s the kidnapper, then yes.” He wanted to believe it every bit as much as Piper. Yet after everything, it seemed like a subdued ending to the nightmare Piper and he had gone through.

“You don’t think it’s him?” She came to a stop in front of him.

“I don’t know. I just can’t shake this feeling that we’re only just beginning to uncover the truth. I’m not trying to frighten you, but this guy has been relentless. Why would he have been on that island and so far away from you?”

She rubbed her hands down her arms. “You’re right. And how could he be here and on another island at the same time?”

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