Page 71 of Wrecked
Leclair slowed and took the roundabout at Riverside Drive, exiting on the road to the marina.
He crept down the empty road.
Hallene’s pulse jumped as they entered the curved parking lot with a division line down the middle.
Where was Phoebe?
Leclair took an empty spot facing the docks that allowed them to view the entire lot. He left the car running.
Two empty sedans were parked on the other side.
A Dodge pickup truck, also empty, sat between where they parked and the entrance.
Leclair studied it all.
Hallene waited for his assessment. She checked her watch again. 11:19
“This is an odd place for a meet,” he finally said.
“Why?”
“This is pretty much a dead end. They can drive around and leave, but more than one exit point would normally be preferable.”
At that moment, someone drove a white nondescript van into the parking lot on the opposite side from them.
Leclair said, “On the other hand, that van looks out of place here.”
The van did not pull into a spot but parked right where it was short of them. A door on the side slid open.
“Shit.”
The door slammed shut and the van drove off.
Hallene had seen nothing.
“What?” She panicked and reached for the handle.
“No.” Leclair caught her around the shoulders and held her as the van drove past them and swung around on their left to drive out.
She jerked around to him. “I didn’t even see her.”
“Act natural, Hailey, or we’ll be made.”
She couldn’t make sense of anything.
“Hell.” He cupped her head and kissed her, making her brain stall even more. She wanted to scream and kick the doors of this SUV.
He whispered, “Calm down.” Then he kissed her again and she understood finally. He was staying in his role so the kidnapper would not think they were sitting there spying, which they were.
As the van passed by behind them, Leclair stopped and held her, dropping his head to hers. “I hate this for you, Hailey. I absofuckingly hate it. But you stayed put, and we’ll be able to continue on to get her back.”
Hallene fought back tears. Stupid tears would do nothing to help. She reached up and grasped his forearms. Powerful man with a tender heart. He’d kept her from breaking apart.
She hadn’t realized until the moment the van stopped, and she couldn’t see Phoebe, just how close to the edge she’d been living.
Sniffling, she said, “I’m okay. Thanks.”
“You bet.” He pulled away and it was as if part of her world went with him.
