Page 62 of Scent of Death

The seconds stretched to a full minute. Beneath her lashes, she breathed a sigh of relief when Tyler lowered the gun to his side. It was the first time since he’d abducted her from the hotel that his weapon wasn’t pointed at her or pressing into her ribs. Yet he was still too far away to make a run at him.

Patience was a virtue. The longer she could hold him off, the sooner Griff and the others would get there.

Another moan came from the bedroom. She lifted her head just enough to see Tyler glance that way. Her stomach churned at the thought of him heading inside to assault Maureen.

Would he keep the gun? Hold it on the girl? Alexis wasn’t sure, but if he entered that bedroom, she’d go after him.

As if reading her mind, Tyler moved backward a few steps to open a kitchen drawer. He pulled a length of rope and came toward her. “Stand up. I want you to sit in that kitchen chair.” He used the tip of his gun to indicate the hardback wooden chair.

She didn’t want to obey his command, but she didn’t see a way out. Rising to her feet and willing her shaky knees not to collapse, she took three steps toward the chair.

Another moan from the other room, louder this time. Again, Tyler’s gaze darted in that direction.

Taking advantage of the brief distraction, Alexis threw herself at Tyler. He tried to bring the gun around to shoot her but was a second too late. The sharp report of gunfire was so close it made her ears ring as her body slammed into him, sending him stumbling backward.

They landed on the floor in a tangle of limbs. She’d hoped he’d drop the gun, but he didn’t. Stretching out, she tried to grab it from him.

It was no use. He wasn’t as muscular as Griff, but anger made him stronger than he looked.

Tyler grunted and shoved at her to get her off him. She did her best to hang on. Then he slammed the gun into her temple. Fierce pain ricocheted through her head. Her vision clouded, and she feared the worst.

“You’re going to die,” Tyler threatened.

She blinked, trying to see past the pain, knowing he was right. Her efforts to take him down with her hadn’t worked. Her death would be for nothing. Once he’d eliminated her, he’d turn his attention to the girl in the other room.

The sound of a dog barking from outside the cabin had Tyler shoving her aside and scrambling to his feet. He cursed and kicked her in the ribs. Another wave of pain exploded in her chest, and she instinctively curled into a ball to protect herself. She closed her eyes, waiting for the bullet that would end her life.

Instead, she heard the thudding sound of footsteps. Confused, she rolled over, wincing at the pain, to see Tyler disappearing from the room.

No! He was getting away!

Alexis pushed herself to her feet, her ribs screaming in protest. Then the door to the cabin burst open. Griff and Denali rushed in, followed by Paul.

“Alexis! Are you okay?” Griff grasped her shoulders, his gaze raking over her. “Are you hit?”

“No, but you need to hurry.” She gestured to the bedroom. “He went that way. He’s dressed in a black T-shirt and black jeans. Please, don’t let him escape.”

Griff glanced over at Paul, then darted into the next room. She heard him gasp, then say, “Call 911 and get an ambulance here ASAP.”

“I don’t have my phone.” Alexis watched with a keen frustration at her inability to help as Paul used his phone to make the call as he followed Griff. Denali rubbed against her, licking her fingers. Seeing her K9 partner filled her with relief. She wanted nothing more than to lower herself to the floor and wrap her arms around the dog.

Instead, she forced herself to stay on her feet. The woman in the other room needed medical attention. Alexis managed to cross the room, the pounding in her head making it difficult to see.

Or maybe that was because of the blackened windows. It was a little like being stuck in a cave.

“He’s getting away!” Griff shouted. “Hurry!”

The rumble of an engine reminded her of the four-wheeler Tyler had used to transport his victims. She fumbled on the wall for a light switch, then had to shield her eyes against the abrupt brightness.

“Help me,” a feeble voice croaked.

“I’m here. You’re safe.” Alexis squinted at the girl on the bed. Recognizing Maureen, she gave a prayer of thanks. God had guided her here in time.

The teenager was still alive.

“You’re safe,” she repeated as Denali followed her into the room. A cool breeze hit her face, and she belatedly realized the window was open. That must have been what Tyler used as an escape route. She focused on Maureen with an effort. “The FBI and sheriff deputies are outside trying to find Tyler.”

“Is that his name?” Maureen asked. “It sounds so normal.”

---