Page 84 of Forbidden Secrets
“He won’t be able to ignore that.Now we wait for him to get here.”
“You plan to kill him too,” Melanie said, realization dawning.“He knows Dylan isn’t Josh’s son.”
The other woman shrugged.“He saw me and Greg together that night, and later Greg told him about the baby.But I saw something too.I saw him next to your car, siphoning gas.He left right after you did.”
“You kept each other’s secrets.”Melanie seethed, fury building like a wildfire racing through her veins.Rhonda’s disclosure meant Chase Bradford had raped her, an attack that had altered the trajectory of her life.Rhonda had known he’d done it and said nothing.And by not coming forward, Walker McGrath had been wrongfully imprisoned.“You’re as contemptible as he is.”
Her ire was matched by the force of the gale sweeping down from the mountain.The building groaned with the force of the wind.Water dripped nearby.
“It wasn’t personal.”
“It sure as hell feels personal to me.”
“Everything was working until you came back and started stirring things up.Now Chase has the FBI breathing down his neck at the bank and I’m afraid they’ll screw up the financing to build our resort.He’s freaking out and drinking too much, and when he drinks, he talks.”Rhonda’s tone reflected her disgust.“Everything is your fault.If you expose him as your attacker, he’s got no reason to keep my secret.”Rhonda gestured with the gun.“That’s why you’re a problem for me.”
“You’ll be charged for withholding evidence.”
“No, I won’t.I’m fixing things.All I ever wanted is for my son to have the benefits of the Lockwood name.With Chase out of the way, the FBI won’t have a case, and once you’re gone, I won’t have anything to worry about.”She glanced at Donna.“Your mom’s merely collateral damage.”
“You’ll never get away with this.”Melanie wanted to believe it.If Gage got her text, they had a chance.She wished she’d taken the time to give him more information.
“Oh, I will.I’ll tell you how I’m solving all my problems.”Rhonda seemed pleased with herself and wanted to share her plans.She drew a gas can from behind the desk.“Once Chase is in here with you ladies, I’ll splash this gas around.Toss a match, and it’s done.A little hike to where my car is hidden, and I’m out of here.It could be months before anyone realizes this place burned.Eventually, your cars will be discovered, and your bodies.There’ll be an investigation, but it won’t go anywhere.There nothing to tie it to me.”She looked smug.“I’ll be another shocked resident of Sisters, horrified about what happened to those poor people.”
Melanie’s fantasy of knocking Rhonda to the ground and punching her in the throat was shut down when footsteps echoed from the space outside.
“Melanie?I’m here.What the fuck do you want?”Anger threaded Chase’s voice.
“Showtime,” Rhonda said in a quiet voice as she moved to the door.
The second she was out of sight Donna spoke in a rush of whispered words.“I’ve got my pocketknife.I got the blade open but the angle’s wrong and I can’t cut the ties.”
“Oh, my god, Mom.You’re amazing.”Unexpected hope surged.
Rhonda had bound their hands in front of them.Melanie grasped the knife and cut through the plastic binding Donna’s wrists.She grimaced when the ties released.She took the knife and did the same for Melanie and in seconds they were both free.
“Melanie, you go.Get out of here and get help.I did something to my knee, and it hurts bad.I don’t think I can walk.”
“I’m not leaving you.”
“You have to.I’ll slow you down.I’ll do what I can to protect myself, but you have to go.”
“Mom.”
“No, you’ve got Addy.You have to save yourself.”
“No.”Melanie brushed away a tear.
“Go, Mellie.Addy needs you.”
Hating her decision, Melanie forced back tears and handed back the pocketknife.“Okay.But I’m helping you to your feet.Get to the doorway.If Rhonda gets past me, stab her in the neck when she walks in.”
With Donna standing, Melanie retrieved her flashlight and crept to peer around the doorway.
Chase stood inside the bay opening.As she watched, Rhonda stepped into the light.He caught sight of her and stumbled back.
“What the hell, Rhonda?What are you doing here?Put that gun down.”
Rhonda’s laughter hinged on derangement.“You’re not running this show, Chase.Not anymore.I’m done taking orders from you.”
