“Once you’re out, just keep following that little road until you find a house. Don’t go on the road itself in case Bailey’s car comes. Stay to the side and get ready to hit the ground if you see a car coming from this direction. It’s going to be a long, long way, but you can do it.”
“It’s dark. I’m afraid.” His voice wobbled.
Of course he was afraid. I was forgetting he wasn’t yet seven. Maybe there was another way. “You can take the flashlight.” It would make him easier to find if they searched for him, but it was all I could think of.
His shook his head, his eyes huge in the darkness. “I can’t go alone.”
So that was out. “Okay, how about we play hide-and-seek? We’ll find a place to hide you and make them think you left. Meanwhile, I’ll keep trying to get free. If I can’t, then in the morning when it’s light, you can really sneak out and find a house to ask someone for help. Okay? You can keep the flashlight with you and turn it on when you need to. How’s that sound?”
“Are you going to be here?”
I held up my tied hands. “Where am I going to go?”
“Oh, yeah. Where am I gonna hide?”
We both looked around the room, but we could see nothing except the big bed. “It’s really low,” I said, my hopes falling. “Besides, they’d look there. You’ll have to try to get outside.”
“Maybe in the closet.”
I went with him as far as my rope allowed. Several dusty, old-fashioned dresses still hung in the closet, and others had fallen onto the floor. But it was too small. No way to hide even a scrawny child in that narrow space.
“You’ll have to get out the window,” I insisted, desperation seeping into my words. “You can hide near the house, can’t you?”
“Wait.” Dylan went to the corner where the fire had been built. As he moved closer, I could see the lower wall behind the wallpaper had completely burned away, forming a two-foot-high hole in the wall. The wall was ancient enough that it didn’t contain plasterboard or insulation, so the hole couldn’t be very deep, yet Dylan squatted down and disappeared, returning within a few seconds.
“Well?” I asked. I was working on my rope as I waited for him, but so far my teeth had had about as much success as Dylan’s fingers. Maybe if I got the rope wet, it might stretch. Of course if it didn’t, the knot would be that much more difficult to untie. Besides, I was already thirsty, and I didn’t know if I could wet it enough with my tongue.
“It goes into a cupboard in the other room,” he said, his face and hands darkened with soot. “It’s open a little. I can see them talking.”
Ah, the bookcase I’d seen in the living room. I stopped working on my rope. “Okay, you go inside, and I’m going to make a lot of noise trying to get that board off the window. When they come to see what I’m doing, I’m going to tell them you jumped out the window, but really you need to get out of that cupboard and find someplace better to hide. Got it? A really great place, maybe in the kitchen. Or a closet somewhere.” I didn’t say up the stairs because I was too afraid they were rotted out. “I’ll come get you when I can.”
He thought about it for a moment. “So I turn off the flashlight, wait until I can’t see them, then I sneak out of the cupboard and hide somewhere else?”
“Yes. I’ll keep them here as long as I can. Shut the cupboard the way it was after you leave it, though, so they won’t suspect.”
“Shut the cupboard. Got it.” He was still scared, but there was excitement in his eyes, too. Some part of him was enjoying this. Unlike me.
“You can use the flashlight to find a hiding place while they’re in here, if you need to, but don’t turn it on once you’re hidden unless you’re sure they aren’t around.”
He nodded. “Do I go now?”
“Yes.”
Instead, he threw his arms around my legs.
Squatting down, I hooked my tied hands over him, returning his hug. “I’m going to do everything I can to get us out of here,” I told him. “I won’t leave you, no matter what.”
“What if they take you away?”
“They won’t, but if they do, I’ll come back. I promise. Be brave.”
“I will.” He released me, ducked under my hands, and disappeared into the sooty hole. Without the flashlight, the room went dark.
I lay on my back on the bed, taking my time so he’d have a few minutes to grow accustomed to the small space and what he had to do. With my back balanced on the edge of the bed, I could reach the window well enough with my feet.
Show time.
There wasn’t much glass left in the window, but it was completely covered with boards, except for a small opening someone had made, presumably to let out smoke. That opening was where I’d begin. I brought both feet up, glad that I was still wearing my tennis shoes, and gave it all I had. I hit it once, twice, and a third time. The impacts hurt all the way up my legs, but I knew I wouldn’t have a lot of time before Bailey and Charlie came in. On the third kick, I felt a board give. Was it enough to fool them? Probably not. I slammed my feet at it again. This time a piece of glass in the top corner of the window came loose, bounced off my calf, and sailed over my head onto the floor. Pain radiated from my leg where the wickedly sharp point had hit, but I didn’t have the luxury of indulging in the torment. I slammed my feet against the boards twice more. The lowest one fell off completely.
Yes! My leg throbbed from the cut, and my muscles were sore from the repeated impacts, but that meant nothing compared to saving Dylan.
Wait a minute. The glass! If it was sharp enough to cut my leg, maybe it could sever my rope.
I rolled off the bed in my eagerness, barely finding my feet, but I was too late. Bailey and Charlie ran into the room, Bailey holding the lantern and looking furious. “No one’s going to hear you,” she spat, once she was satisfied that I was still tied. “Besides, in a few minutes it won’t make a difference. An accidental fire is not only going to get the city off my back as to the condition of this house, but it will also take care of you.”
“You’re insane,” I retorted. If she really torched the house, I wouldn’t be able to keep any of my promises to Dylan.
She shrugged. “Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Gage. He won’t—”
“Where’s the kid?” Charlie interrupted.
Bailey’s eyes narrowed, her fingers clawed at my shoulder. “Where is he?”
“Gone.” I motioned to the window. “I told him to run. He’s resourceful. You’d better give it up. The police will be here soon.”
“Let’s get out of here.” Charlie took two steps toward his sister. “I know a place we can go.”
“No.” Bailey’s voice was ice. “I’m not running again. Ever. Go find the brat and bring him to me. He can’t have gone far.”
Charlie limped toward the door.
“Wait.” Bailey released me and held up a hand. “That opening isn’t all that big. What if he didn’t get outside? Check the room first.”
As they searched the closet and under the bed, I prayed that Dylan had left the cupboard. Go, Dylan, I thought at him. All too soon, they headed toward the corner where the fire had been, and I held my breath. This was it.
Charlie knelt down and stuck his whole head inside. Was Dylan still there, shivering in a corner? Could Charlie see his tracks in the soot?
Please, I prayed.
The glass that had fallen from the window reflected a bit of stray light from its new place on the floor. With the exception of one large piece, it had shattered. I nudged the piece under the bed.
“Nothing,” Charlie said. “But this wall here is burned clear through.”
Bailey snorted. “It’ll all be burned in a few minutes. Go outside and find him!”
I was too busy hiding my relief to dodge the blow Bailey aimed at me. Her slap stung, but I refused to flinch. Besides, despite her height and fit body, she hit like a girl. A man would have used his fist. I would, too, if I ever got the chance. I opened my
mouth to comment, when I remembered the gun. No sense in antagonizing her and dying sooner than she already planned. While I lived, there was still hope for both me and Dylan.
If she started a fire, would Dylan have the sense to run outside? Or would he do as so many children did and stay in hiding, believing they would be safe?
I chewed on my lip, deciding I probably knew the answer. I had to get free.
Bailey paced as we waited for Charlie. After an indeterminable length of time, he returned alone, shaking his head. “I can’t find him. We need to get out of here.”
“We’ll torch the house and go look for him. There are only two houses remotely close enough for him to walk to, and he hasn’t had enough time. We’ll find him.”
“That’s not all,” Charlie said. “There’s a car coming up the road.”
“Who is it?”
“I don’t know.”
I experienced a flood of hope. Maybe Ridge had finally received my message and put two and two together, perhaps after Gage reported us missing.
“Just someone out for a joyride,” Bailey said. “Let’s get started.”
Ignoring her, Charlie went back into the living room. We heard him open the front door. “It’s stopping,” he called.
Bailey shoved her gun into her pocket before smoothing her pants and following her brother. “I’ll get rid of them.” The lantern in her hand cast shadows on the wall as she left the room.
Were they so far gone they didn’t realize they’d been caught? I sat down on the bed to wait. Ready to scream, if I had to, but sure it wouldn’t be necessary.
“Bailey?” came a voice from outside. I heard the remains of the porch squeaking as someone climbed the ruined steps.
Bailey swore under her breath but loud enough to carry to where I sat.
The front door banged open.
“Gage,” Bailey said, her voice curiously dull.
“What have you done?” Gage said. “Where are they?”
“Would you believe me if I said I didn’t know what you’re talking about?”
“No.”
Silence.
I came to my feet and walked as far as my rope would allow, but all I could see of the other room was the chair by the window with the kerosene lamp burning.
Then Bailey shifted briefly into my view, her hand going to her pocket.
“Run!” I yelled to Gage. “She has a gun!”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Gage didn’t run. I should have known he wouldn’t. Maybe in his view he didn’t have much to lose, but I didn’t want to lose him. Not like that.
“Easy, Bailey,” he said. “Don’t do anything you’re going to regret.”
“I regret everything!” For the first time, she sounded ready to cry. Maybe Gage had that effect on women, because I was close to tears myself.
“Where do you have Tessa?” He spoke the words slowly and carefully, as though not wanting to startle Bailey. “Is she through that door?”
“I know she’s not your wife.”
“Then you know she’s not a part of this. You have to let her go.”
“It’s too late.”
“We can still leave before the police get here.” This from Charlie.
“Will you shut up!” Bailey cried.
“Don’t point that gun at me!” Charlie shouted.
“Easy!” Gage said.
I hated not seeing what was going on. I pulled at my bonds, trying to move the bed. The rope dug into the soft flesh of my wrist, sending pain up my arm. I pulled harder, worry giving me strength, and managed to move the heavy bed almost a foot.
Gage stood near the front door, though I could see only half of him, and also Bailey, who stood in front of him with the gun pointed at his chest. I couldn’t see Charlie at all. Gage’s eyes flickered past Bailey in my direction, and then back again. The tautness in his body relaxed marginally, and I was glad the light wasn’t bright enough for him to see the black eye Charlie had given me.
“This is all your fault!” Bailey shrieked at her brother, her head turning to Gage’s right.
Charlie snorted. “Me? You were the one with the bright idea of—”
“I mean Skeet.” Her voice became pleading, as her face shifted back to Gage, but the hand with the gun didn’t shake. “It was Charlie who killed Skeet, and I let you take the blame. I’m sorry.”
“I didn’t kill him!” Charlie insisted. “He was already dead. I just stole the money, and that’s all. I swear it!”
“I believe you,” Gage said. The calmness in his voice cut through whatever Bailey had been going to say and sent a shiver through me. Because I could tell his calm was only on the surface. I felt it in the way he stood, in the carefulness of his speech, the bland expression on his face. Over the past few days I’d learned this was how he hid emotion. Except the emotion he felt now wasn’t frustration or attraction but plain and simple fury. Good thing he didn’t know Bailey had been planning to burn the house down with Dylan and me inside, or he might not be able to hide it from her, either. “Bailey, please put down the gun.”
“I didn’t want you to go to prison, but I couldn’t tell them about Charlie,” Bailey said.
Charlie snorted. “For the last time, I didn’t—”
“Charlie, be quiet.” Gage’s voice was a command, and to my surprise, Charlie shut up. “It’s okay,” Gage told Bailey. He took a slow step toward her.
“It’s not okay! You’ll never forgive me.”
“I forgave you a long time ago. I know you suffered because of your father, and that Charlie was your only support growing up. I understand why you protected him.”
“You know about my father? I never told you.”
“You were afraid every time his name was mentioned—how could I not know something was wrong? I don’t know how Skeet fits into all of that, but I saw how loyal you and Charlie were to each other.” As he said it, I understood Bailey was another reason Gage had accepted his prison term. He’d suspected Charlie or Bailey, or both, and even though Bailey’s allegiance had been clear in the way she’d deserted him, he’d wanted to protect her from further injury. Did he still love her beneath his anger, despite everything she had done?
“You really forgive me?” Bailey asked in a small voice.
“It’s not your fault I went to prison. I should have fought more. The police should have looked harder for evidence.”
She sighed and took a step forward, practically collapsing in his arms. “I didn’t mean any of it to happen.”
He took the gun from her, set the safety, and put it into the pocket of his jeans. “I know. It did happen, though, and there will be consequences. But you’ll be okay.” He set her gently, but firmly, away from him, and I saw one of Charlie’s arms go around her. “I’m going to free Tessa, and then we’re going to get out of here and go talk.”
“We didn’t hurt her.” Bailey’s petulant voice told me clearly that she wished she had, but with her collapse, the tough exterior she’d shone to me was completely gone.
The question was for how long?
Because Gage didn’t know the whole truth—that she’d been protecting herself that night even more than her brother.
Gage turned his back on them, though every nerve in my body wanted to scream at him not to.
Yet neither Charlie nor Bailey moved as Gage strode into the bedroom toward me. He took the switchblade I recognized as belonging to our attacker in Vegas and put the tip under my rope, slicing it through.
He rubbed my wrists with his thumbs. It felt so good to be free, to have him touching me, though I could feel the slickness there too, from the cuts I’d sustained trying to move the bed.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
That was much better than the expected, “Why didn’t you leave it alone like I told you to?” The tension in my body cranked down a notch.
“Dylan’s here,” I said, keeping my voice low. “Hiding. We may have to look for him if he doesn’t realize i
t’s safe to come out. He stowed away in the Jeep. I didn’t know until Charlie found him.”
“I figured it was something like that.” He traced the contours of my face with a finger, frowning at the swelling around my right eye.
“How’d you find us?” I wanted to throw myself in his arms, but I didn’t know how that would be taken. Besides, Bailey and Charlie were watching us, though they weren’t close enough to hear what we were saying.
“I started to worry when I found the car gone. I thought you’d gone back to Flagstaff or Phoenix. But when I couldn’t find Dylan, either, I knew something was up. That’s when I remembered you’d been in the bathroom when I went into the bedroom. At the time your laptop was missing from the dresser, so I figured you must have been doing something on it in secret.”
“Observant, aren’t you?”
His smile came easily. “I found Bailey’s address where you’d typed it, and I broke every traffic law to get there. When she wasn’t home and didn’t answer her cell phone, I broke in. I saw blood on the towel in the bedroom and the rope tied to the bed frame.” Here his calm cracked noticeably, and his grip on my arms tightened. Was that because he cared about me or because he believed Dylan was with me?
I was feeling dizzy, but I didn’t know if that was from relief or from the fact that my pant leg was soaked in blood from the wound caused by the glass. “So what now? We both know you didn’t kill Skeet.”
Something flared in his eyes. Hope. “Then who did?”
I kept my voice low. “Could be Charlie, but I’m betting on Bailey. You guessed that her father was abusive, but what you don’t know is that she’s the one who killed him. Charlie tried to hide the evidence, and that’s why the police suspected him. Skeet claimed to have the poker that Charlie tried to hide from the police after their father’s death, and he’d been blackmailing them for years. Might even be the same poker that ended up killing him.”
I waited until the information sank in. I didn’t blame Bailey as much for what she’d done to her father as I did for the years she’d stolen from Gage. The future she’d stolen. To me, at least, her actions were unforgivable.
“But she seems to think Charlie killed Skeet.”
Tell Me No Lies Page 20
