Page 36 of Final Escape
Penny hurried on ahead, her cell phone at her ear as soon as she reached the opposite street corner, and Carrie could see her beckoning to someone, as well.
“How long have you been here, Billy?” Carrie said flatly, twisting out of his grasp.
“Long enough. Pretty sweet setup you have here—nice job, good friends. Another man already sniffing around. You must think you have it made.”
“I don’t want to argue with you. You need to leave.”
“Do I?” he snapped.
“You don’t remember that no-contact order? Or the fact that you have some sorry legal history back in Battle Creek and at least three other towns we lived in? Lay a hand on me again and I’ll press charges.”
“Good luck, ’cause I sure don’t see any witnesses. Even so, a slap on the wrist doesn’t mean anything.”
He moved closer and she took another step back, belatedly realizing that she’d been focused on his expression and words while he’d been subtly herding her down this quiet street, farther out of sight. The one comfort was that he’d chosen this moment, in town. So maybe hedidn’tknow where she lived after all.
“How did you even find me here?”
He snickered. “It isn’t that hard, when you know who to ask.”
But Trace and Kris would never say a word; she was sure of it. And as a lawyer, Sam certainly understood the principles of privileged information.
Which left the possibility of Sam’s high school niece, who worked in his office part-time. She was about as giddy as a teenager could be. She might’ve listened to Carrie’s messages on the answering machine in the office, or overheard Sam talking on the phone. And Billy could just about charm the socks off anyone in a skirt, if he tried—especially a naive teen.
“Kierstan?”
His self-satisfied laugh grated on her nerves. “Like I said, it ain’t hard.”
“Maybe you could tell me exactly want you want. I know it isn’t sharing my company.”
“Just five grand. Make it ten, and I’ll disappear for good. And I’ll even throw in some information that could save your life...maybe. Something you really ought to know about someone here.”
Which meant he’d probably picked up on a well-worn rumor about Logan. “No dice. It won’t do any good to deliver your little threats. You might as well have asked for a million dollars, because I don’t have anything to spare.”
“But I know you can get it.”
“No, I can’t.”
“Don’t play games with me.” His voice turned venomous. “I don’t have time, and I’m not gonna wait. I—”
At the periphery of her vision, Carrie saw several people approaching. Rachel Graham’s mother, Ivy. An older man and a woman, who was probably his wife. Oscar, the pharmacist. And Penny, who had obviously run ahead to round them all up.
And then through them all, a much taller figure strode into view, emanating such determination and power—so much like the hero in the movie she’d just seen—that she suddenly felt more protected and safe than she’d ever felt before.
Logan.
“Carrie, is this your ex-husband?”
Embarrassment burned through her. “Unfortunately, yes.”
Billy shrank back when Logan halted well within Billy’s personal space and towered over him, sweeping him with a disparaging glance.
“Now that you have an audience, maybe you’d like to address your exact concerns before you leave town,” he growled. “Or do you just like using intimidation to get what you want?”
Billy was a tall, well-built man, but he was no match for Logan and he clearly knew it. He swallowed hard. Took a furtive look to the left and right. “I was just here visiting with my ex-wife.”
Logan didn’t take his eyes off his quarry. “Carrie, is that right?”
The others had drawn closer, curiosity and a touch of pity for her in their eyes. The truth was so much harder than trying to save face, though it was probably too late for that anyway. She could only imagine the gossip blossoming about the new teacher in town, the next time the locals gathered for coffee at the Silver Bear Café.
