Page 21 of Seeking Evil

Possibly, but Zeke had no doubt Sierra would have seen the missing person’s poster in the diner. She’d understand there was a possible threat in the area.

Inez was straightening brochures near the counter when they returned. “Anything?”

“Nothing yet.” Zeke handed her the key. “Before we take a look at Dawn’s room, do you mind if we ask you some questions?”

Inez didn’t hesitate. “No, not at all. I want to bring those young women home to their families. After what happened in the past, we can’t let them wait that long to get answers.”

Chapter Eight

His phone beeped in a message.

Sierra watched Henry’s demeanor change drastically. He vaulted to his feet. Pulled out the phone and did his best to hide it from Sierra. He turned away.

This was her chance.

She’d noticed a paperclip on the floor underneath the table. While Henry’s attention was diverted, she reached under the table and clasped the clip. Now that she had it, finding the best place to store it so that she could retrieve the paperclip once Henry was out of sight wasn’t so easy.

Her long-sleeved jacket might work unless it fell out while he was securing her wrists.

Henry clearly wasn’t thrilled by the person who sent the message. His fingers stabbed into the keypad as he typed a response.

Sierra tucked the paperclip out of sight as he turned. Her brow glistened with perspiration. If only the drug he’d injected her with had worn off, she would’ve taken him out by now. She hated how physically weak the drug made her.

Henry shoved the phone into his trouser pocket, his face flushed with anger. “I have to go.” He looked at her and stopped. “You’re hot.”

Sierra’s heart fell to her stomach. “No, I’m cold actually. I think I may be coming down with something.” To prove the point, she coughed several times.

Henry watched her for a second longer before he grabbed her arm. “Let’s go.”

Sierra was thankful it wasn’t the arm with the paperclip. If so, it would all be over. He dragged Sierra along behind him. “Get up on the table.” The Henry she’d been talking with a few minutes earlier was gone.

Sierra climbed up onto the metal table that gave her the creeps because it reminded her of the type used at the morgue.

Henry didn’t say a word as he secured her wrists and ankles before hurrying from the room.

He’d forgotten to turn off the lights. She’d be able to see as she worked. A big help. Plus, he hadn’t gagged her again. She had a voice. She’d have to find a way to get someone’s attention.

Henry locked the door behind him. His footsteps disappeared up a set of steps. Soon, floorboards creaked above followed by a door slamming shut, then a vehicle started up.

What had been in that message that had caused Henry’s mood to change so drastically?

“Doesn’t matter,” she murmured to herself. She had to get the paperclip out and get free.

She’d worked the paperclip just past the cuff of her jacket. Sierra jiggled her arm. The paperclip slipped down. Another jiggle and the paperclip landed on the table near her wrist.

Now, all she had to do was get the paperclip apart. She’d studied the lock used to secure her wrists. She could pick it easily, thanks to her self-taught escape artist studies. She’d been fascinated with Houdini and other escape artists from the past. She’d practiced getting locks open, using a timer. She knew what to do to make it happen.

Sierra stretched out her fingers. Almost got it . . . her limbs were still weak. She took a break before trying again. Her fingers grasped the paperclip. “Got it.”

Now the next problem. How to get it open. There was only one way. She struggled to sit up without using her hands. It took three tries before Sierra managed, the effort zapping her strength. She pulled in several breaths before leaning over her hand. It was excruciatingly slow to get the paperclip straightened out with one hand.

Once it was semi-straight, working the clip in the tiny lock proved another challenge. She held the clip between her teeth and went to work.

In all her escape practices, she hadn’t been forced to use her teeth. Another challenge she hadn’t expected.

As she worked, Sierra listened for Henry’s return.

Her worst fear was that she’d drop the paperclip on the floor.

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