Page 84 of Into the Shadows

“That’s a long time to dedicate to a story.”

“You’re fucking right, it is. I worked my ass off to break the case, and what did I get for my efforts? Transferred. To fucking Greensboro. I didn’t want to come to thecity. Not everyone aspires to make the major news networks.” It sounds like he’s talking to someone in his life who made him feel like he’d be a loser if he stayed at his small station.

“That’s a big move.” I keep my tone neutral. I need him to keep talking so I can fully understand where this is going. I have an inkling now, but I need to confirm it.

“I handled it like a king. Not a single person could tell I hated that station. I’ve worked there for seven years and have only gotten one promotion. Can you believe that? I was the charming reporter who could talk anyone into an interview. Apparently, they ‘didn’t want to lose that.’” He curls his fingers in air quotes. The gun in his hand waves as he does it. I have a feeling his superiors knew exactly how he felt. They’d never have let him get to a position of power with this attitude.

“They overlooked you.”

He points the gun at me. Not as if he’s going to shoot me, but in agreement. It’s like he’s so familiar with it in his hands that he doesn’t even think about it. It proves he has plenty of experience to know what to do with it. Something I need to keep in mind if my plan is going to work. “Exactly. When I heard you were looking into the Mansgrove case, I thought, this is my shot. I’ll be the reporter to crack the case, and they’ll have to show me the appreciation I deserve.”

I remain silent. I’m not going to point out the fact that if he kills me now, I’ll be out of his way like he wants. Candace remains silent behind me. I’ve slowly made my way in front of her. If Chris forgets about her existence, he can’t use her against me.

He whirls on me, forcing me to freeze. “But instead of giving me the information I needed to solve the case, you remained tight-lipped. I’ve never been so frustrated in my entire life.”

“I didn’t realize you wanted information on the case when we talked.”

I don’t think he believes the lie. “I was fishing pretty hard. You’re an idiot if you didn’t catch on, and I don’t think you’re stupid, Lottie Jackson.”

His use of my nickname is supposed to scare me. However, I’ve never tried very hard to hide my identity. It was a measure of protection at first. Then, I just liked how Charlie Jackson sounded at the end of the podcast. It also helped me keep the show from bleeding into my daily life. Keeping the two separate made it easier to not drown in the dark and depraved things I researched.

“No, Chris. I’m not stupid.” I’ve been taking minute steps forward. The closer I can get, the easier it will be to disarm him. “So, what did you want from me?”

“I wanted you to step back from the investigation. If you broke the case, I’d never live it down. I’d be the laughingstock of the news station.”

That seems dramatic, but apparently, drama is this guy’s middle name.

“Obviously, I’ve had to change my plans.” He shrugs.

He’s not paying enough attention to me now. The gun hangs loosely at his side. He hasn’t noticed how close I’ve gotten. I use his distraction to my advantage and take the final step toward him.

“I have to kill you,” he says so quietly I barely register the words before he’s swinging the gun to my face. The problem for him is he didn’t know I’d gotten so close. I pounce, using a quick maneuver to remove the gun from his possession.

Before he can get a handle on his shock, I hit him over the head with the butt of the gun. He crumples like a leaf. Talk about anticlimactic. We’re not exactly out of the woods, but now that I have the weapon, we’ll be fine.

“Holy fuck,” Candace quips. “You’re abadass.”

I laugh as she strides up next to me. “Can you check the warehouse for anything to tie his hands up? I don’t want to risk him waking up while we’re calling the police.”

“No need, Sparkles. The cavalry has arrived.”

Every ounce of tension drains from my body at hearing Teddy’s voice. “Holy hell, am I glad to see you.”

The police converge on Chris’s prone body while I run straight into my man’s arms. I’ve been so worried that the tracking app didn’t work. The hope that he’d find me quickly was starting to dwindle after being locked in that office for so long.

“Sorry it took us a bit to get here. We had to prove your life was in danger.” Teddy keeps his arms around me while the police carry Chris out to the ambulance on a stretcher. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

I shake my head. “No, but Candace needs stitches. She sliced her arm on that metal bar over there, but other than that, we were unharmed.”

“Good.” Teddy leans down to kiss me. The desperation bleeds through until he’s satisfied I’m okay. A throat clearing makes me jump away from him.

“Michael,” I gasp. I leap into his arms as he returns my fierce hug. “Thank you for coming to my rescue.”

The tightness in his eyes doesn’t lessen as he jokes, “someone’s gotta keep you out of trouble.”

I look around, expecting to see my dad striding toward me.

“He stayed back, Sparkles. He knew if he came with us, he’d do something stupid that could put you in more danger.”

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