Page 70 of Salvation

“Hope

I forgot I don’t have my car. It’s at the shop being inspected. We can do it tomorrow.”

That sucks. I’m seriously starving, and I wanted to talk to Luke. It’s important.

The phone buzzes before I can set it back down.

“Luke

Alan is out that way dropping off a file. Want him to pick you up? He can drop you at the station and I can bring you back after lunch.”

I mutter out loud, “Oh, well sure. That’s good.” Davey looks up at me with a question on his face. I answer him. “Luke’s partner is in the area. He’ll just pick me up and bring me to Luke at the station.”

Maia says, “Aw, that’s nice.”

I text Luke back saying okay and return to helping Maia and Davey. These boxes are not going to unpack themselves.

About half an hour later, the bell buzzes and I pop my head out to see who’s at the door. Seeing Alan, I head out to the lobby to press the button to let him in. He smiles at me as he opens the door. Smiling back, I tell him to give me one minute to grab my purse and I’ll be ready to go.

He nods and stands in the lobby looking around, shuffling his feet. He’s always so fidgety. Like his brain doesn’t stop.

After telling Maia and Davey I’m heading out and I’ll be back soon, I go back to meet Alan. Following him out to his car, I slide in and turn to him, “Thanks for this. I appreciate you grabbing me.”

He seems extra fidgety today. He starts the car and I look over at him with concern. “Is everything okay?” My eyes flash to his and I jump against the door, “What the fuck, Al…”

The last thing I hear is him calmly saying, “I’m really sorry, Hope,” just as his gloved hand covers my mouth. I try to scream, but nothing comes out. I manage to fight against him for a second before the world fades into blackness.

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