Page 229 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“She has to.” He went to the door and stepped outside. Where would she have gone? He walked along the edge of the water for a ways, but saw no sign of her. Retracing his footsteps, he checked the barn, but all the vehicles were inside except the one Jake and Wynne had taken.

After an hour of searching, he still couldn’t find her. Jake and Wynne came home from town, and Max flagged them down. He explained what happened.

“Man, you are an idiot,” Jake said. “A more honest person doesn’t live than my sister.”

“I know, I was wrong. I’m getting worried about her. She’s been gone more than two hours.”

“Let’s fan out and look for her,” Wynne said. She walked toward the back of the house while the men went along the water in opposite directions.

By mid-afternoon, Max was ready to call the sheriff. What if something had happened to Becca? The previous attempts on her life had been real, and she could be in terrible danger. He had to find her.

Becca wiggled her wrists experimentally.The rope holding her didn’t budge. Nick had tied her so tightly, the bonds cut into the skin of her arms, and her hands ached. The cold from the hard ground seeped into her bones.

Her head hurt from where Nick had clubbed her with the gun when she tried to break past them. Her attack had been short-lived.

“They’re looking for her,” Shayna said. “We’ve got to get her out of here. Tate might think to look here.”

“If he sobers up enough to think about it,” Nick said with a sneer.

“What should we do with her?” Shayna asked.

“The easiest thing would be to take her out in the boat and toss her overboard. The cold would make short work of her, and it will look like an accident. Or suicide. If Max hasn’t discovered the missing money, he will soon. They’ll all think she couldn’t live with the guilt of her crime.”

“Good idea.” Shayna peered through the window. “We don’t dare wait until dark. They could come busting in here any minute.”

“I’ll bring the boat around to Fisherman’s Cay on the other side of the forest. It’s only a fifteen minute trek or so for you. Bring her around there in half an hour.” He handed her the gun. “Use this if you have to.”

Becca watched Shayna take the gun and check it. Maybe she had a chance. Shayna alone would be easier to take on. She prayed for strength and the right opportunity.

Nick kissed Shayna then disappeared into the other room, and moments later the door creaked and he was gone.

“You won’t get away with this,” Becca said. “My brother and sister will find me.” She longed to say Max would be searching for her, but he would consider her death a blessing. The thought made her eyes burn.

“No one will suspect us,” Shayna said. “After all, we have nothing to gain, right?” She smiled with obvious satisfaction. “We’ve been careful. Everyone thinks I’ve been mooning over Max.” She giggled. “You swallowed my story without a problem.”

She was right. Becca wiggled her wrists again when Shayna looked out the window then glanced at her watch.

“God sees what you’re doing,” Becca said.

Shayna’s smile faded. “Shut up.”

“You may get by with it in this life, but eternity is another matter.”

“I said shut up!” Shayna stepped forward and slapped Becca across the mouth.

A trickle of warmth ran down from the corner of Becca’s mouth, and she licked at it. It tasted coppery. “Don’t do this, Shayna. No amount of money is worth murder,” she pressed.

“You have no idea how much money Gram has, do you?”

“I don’t care,” Becca said.

“More fool you. She’s got ten million in cash. The house and grounds are easily worth another five million.”

“There would have been plenty for you without getting rid of me,” Becca pointed out. “Gram intends to give Tate his share.”

Shayna laughed. “I peeked at the will. A paltry million was all she planned to leave Tate. Molly, Jake and Wynne will get the same, and you’ll get the rest. Tate was going to get the bulk of theestate until your parents showed up.” She glanced at her watch again. “Time to go. You’re about to meet God face to face.”

“I’m not afraid, but you should be,” Becca said.

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