Page 71 of If You're Reading This
“What’s the last thing you remember?” Duke kept his voice gentle.
Andi’s brow furrowed in concentration. “I heard something. A branch breaking, maybe. I turned to check . . .” She paused, her eyes widening with realization. “Someone was there. Right behind me. I started to call out, but then I felt this sharp pain in my neck, and everything went . . .”
She tried to touch the injection site, but Duke caught her hand. “Don’t touch it. We need to document everything.”
“He drugged me,” Andi said.
Logan could hear the anger building in her voice despite her obvious disorientation.
“That monster drugged me and used me as leverage, am I right?”
“That’s exactly what he did. Can you move your fingers?” Ranger asked. “Your toes?”
Andi wiggled her fingers and shifted her feet. “Yeah, everything works. Just feel like I’m moving through molasses.”
Duke helped her sit up slowly, keeping his hand on her back for support. “Any nausea? Dizziness?”
“A little dizzy, but I think I’m okay.” She looked around at the three of them. “Did you get him? Please tell me you got him.”
The silence that followed was answer enough.
“I can’t believe this.” Andi’s voice grew stronger with each word. “This guy played us. Used me as a pawn so he could walk away.”
“We didn’t have a choice,” Logan said. “He threatened to kill you if we pursued.”
“I would have taken that risk,” Andi shot back, then immediately winced as the movement sent pain through her head.
“Well, I wouldn’t have,” Logan replied. “And neither would Duke or Ranger. We don’t leave anyone behind.”
Andi remained quiet a moment, processing what had happened. “How long was I out?”
“At least an hour,” Duke said. “Long enough for him to disappear completely.”
“He’s good,” Andi admitted reluctantly. “I never heard him coming. Never saw him. One second I was alone, the next . . .” She touched her neck gingerly. “Whatever he used, it dropped me instantly.”
Duke helped her to her feet, keeping a steady grip on her arm as she swayed slightly.
“I can walk,” she insisted, though her legs were clearly unsteady.
“We’re not in a hurry,” Ranger said. “Take your time.”
As they began the slow trek back toward their vehicles, Andi looked at Logan. “He left something for you, didn’t he? That’s why you’re not more focused on tracking him.”
Logan’s jaw tightened. “A photo of Morgan. She looked . . . rough. But she was alive.”
“I’m so sorry you had to see her like that.”
“This isn’t over. He made that very clear.” Logan’s voice was heavy with the weight of what they’d discovered.
Andi nodded, her professional composure returning despite the drugs still affecting her system. “Then we need to figure out his next move.”
“First, we’re getting you checked out by a medic,” Duke said firmly.
“Duke, I’m fine?—”
“That’s not a request, Andi,” Duke cut her off. “He could have put anything in that injection. We’re not taking chances.”
As they made their way through the forest, Logan realized the full scope of what they were facing. This wasn’t just a killer. This was someone who had anticipated their every move, turned their own tactics against them, and demonstrated he could reach any of them at any time.
