by Box Set
In truth, if it came down to it—and by came down to it I meant if Baldy was holding a knife to my throat—I’d want her to call the police. “Okay.”
“Good.”
Exhaustion flooded me. “I’m going to bed.”
She nodded, and I left her room and went to mine. As I stepped across the threshold, I half-expected the room to be ransacked again, but it was just as I’d left it before my date with Tyler.
Shelby and I spent most of the next day in our bedrooms studying for finals, although we stopped to eat lunch together.
“I’ll be so glad when this semester is over,” she said as she spread peanut butter onto a slice of bread.
“You and me both. Plus, we need to figure out where we’re going to live. We have to be out of here in a week and a half.”
She carried her plate to the card table Mom had left for us and slid into the chair across from me. “At least your mom arranged for us to be here until finals are done.”
“Yeah, she was worried about me neglecting my studies while I looked for a place to live.” Thinking of Mom made me miss her. She’d only been gone two weeks, but after living with her my whole life, it felt strange to not see her every day. At least I have Shelby.
“What about the place where Tyler lives?” Shelby asked before taking a bite of her sandwich.
“We could check there. He mentioned it again last night, so I guess he’s okay with me living close to him.”
“I think he really likes you,” she said in a sing-song voice.
“I like him too. He’s a sweet guy.”
“And don’t forget hot.”
I laughed. “Yes. And hot.” I wondered if he was studying just then too. “I’m going to call the office of his apartment complex and see how much rent is.”
“Good idea.”
A short time later I’d learned how much rent was, and felt a burst of discouragement. I put my phone in my pocket and turned to Shelby with a frown. “Maybe we should get another roommate to help cover the rent.”
“Let’s just get through finals and then we can figure it out.”
I didn’t like not knowing where I’d be living after we had to move out of the house, but thinking about it on top of finals—not to mention all the stuff with Baldy—was seriously stressing me out. “Works for me.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
On the day of my last final I wanted to jump for joy as I walked out of the building and toward the parking lot. It had been a rough semester. Besides my classes being demanding, I’d had a lot of extra stress over the last few weeks. Having my finals done was a huge relief. I didn’t even mind the long walk to the distant parking lot where I’d ended up finding a space that morning.
Excited to have some time without school, and wanting to use the summer break to work extra hours and save up for tuition, I hadn’t enrolled in summer classes. Focused on the all the things on my to-do list, I didn’t notice the people hanging out near my car until it was too late. With a jolt of recognition, I saw Baldy standing next to my driver’s side door. I was twenty feet from my car, and I froze, my mind racing.
How did he know that’s my car? Has he been staking me out? The thought sent fear cascading over me, although the real terror was the fact that he’d shown himself now.
What does he want? Why is he here?
I took a step backwards, but my progress was halted by a firm hand against my back and a quiet murmur next to my ear.
“Keep moving,” the voice said. I didn’t recognize who spoke, but he didn’t sound like he was willing to hear an argument.
With legs that felt weighed down with iron, I plodded forward, my gaze shooting frantically around the area—so far from the buildings—wondering if someone was nearby who could help me. The only people around were the two men who were with Baldy—the man prodding me along, and a man leaning against the trunk of the car to the right of mine.
As I drew closer to Baldy, my heart pounded harder. And when I stopped two feet in front of him with my car to my left and an unknown man behind me, I knew I was trapped.
They must be the same two men Baldy had with him at the park. “What . . . What do you want?” My mouth had gone dry and my body trembled.
“Unlock your car.”
Panic charged through my veins. “Why?”
His jaw tightened as a look of impatience filled his face, then he grabbed my purse with gloved hands and rummaged around until he found my keys. He pressed the keyless entry button and I heard the locks disengage.
He gestured toward my car with his head. “Get in the passenger side. I’ll drive.”
He wants me to go somewhere with him? No, no, no! And why is he wearing gloves? Adrenaline flooded my body, making my heart beat so hard I feared it would give out from overexertion. My eyes shifted from side to side as I sought an escape.
“Don’t even think about running,” he said with a scowl.
A hand clamped onto my upper arm and the man who’d been standing behind me propelled me toward the passenger door. “Open it,” he commanded.
Knowing the last place I should be was alone with Baldy in my car with him behind the wheel, I had to do all I could to resist getting in. I yanked and twisted my arm, trying to break free from the hand that imprisoned me, but his grip was like steel. “Let me go,” I cried out, terrified that he would force me into my car and I would lose my chance to get away.
The man who’d been leaning against the trunk of the neighboring car sauntered over and opened the passenger door. Then he grabbed my other arm and placed his large hand on my shoulder, trying to push me down and into my car. I fought with all my might to stay outside of the car.
“No,” I yelled as loud as I could. “Leave me alone.”
Baldy climbed behind the wheel, then reached across the seat and grabbed my arm as well, pulling me down.
“Shut up and get in,” he said, his voice sharp and clear.
I was losing the fight. Tears filled my eyes and rolled down my cheeks. “I didn’t do anything. I swear. I never told anyone.” Movement in the distance caught my eye and I saw two male students walking by about sixty feet away. “Help! Help me!”
My head was just above the roof of my car and I saw them look my way. Hope blazed through me, but just then someone kicked my legs, making me fall, and at the same time they gave me one last shove. I collapsed into the passenger seat.
“Shut up,” Baldy growled.
“Let me go,” I said, my voice ragged with tears. “I didn’t do anything. I swear.”
“Then why do the cops have Dylan?”
Stunned—and alarmed—to hear this news, my face paled as all of the implications filled my mind. I tore my gaze away from Baldy’s cold eyes and stared at my lap, and when I spoke, my voice came out as a whisper. “I didn’t know.” Then I met Baldy’s icy glare. “I never talked to the police.” But did Shelby? Behind my back? But she didn’t know it was Dylan. Unless she told the police I met with Dylan and they used that information plus whatever evidence they had to make the connection. But wouldn’t they have come to me? To see what I know?
Confused and scared, I didn’t know what to do.
“Why don’t I believe you?” Baldy said, sending a fresh wave of panic through me.
“I wouldn’t do that,” I whimpered. “I wouldn’t tell them anything.” I hated sounding so weak, but I had to make him believe me.
“I think we need to discuss this in private.”
Full-blown terror engulfed me. I have to get out of here. Now.
An unfamiliar voice called out, “Is there a problem here?”
My gaze shot toward the voice and I saw the two male students I’d seen moments before. They stood near the front of my car on the driver’s side.
“Get lost,” one of Baldy’s minions said as he stood next to the open driver’s door.
No! Stay! Help me!
The student, who was a fairly large man, ignored the command and looked at me. “Do you n
eed help?”
My gaze shot to Baldy, who glowered at me, then to the student. Desperate to get away from Baldy, but also petrified to make him any angrier, I struggled for the right thing to say. “I . . . I just want to leave.” My gaze flicked to Baldy. “Alone.”
Baldy spoke very softly. “If you don’t want anyone to get hurt, then that’s not going to happen.”
Tears filled my eyes. I didn’t want anyone to get hurt because of me, but there was no way I would willingly go with him. “Let me go,” I whispered.
The ice in his eyes melted and turned to stone—dead and hard. “Have it your way.” Then he climbed out of the car and walked off with his two buddies behind him.
The student who’d come to my aid, as well as his friend, walked to the passenger side. The man squatted beside the open door. “Are you okay?”
No, I’m not okay. I lifted my gaze to his face, and with my chin trembling, I nodded. “Thank you.”
He looked in the direction Baldy had gone, then looked at me. “Who were those guys?”
I wasn’t about to tell him anything, so I just shook my head.
“Do you want me to get security or anything?”
Security could potentially call the police, which would just infuriate Baldy. Besides, he’d left, so what was the point? “No.”
“Okay.” He sighed. “You should probably get away from here.”
That was exactly my plan, although I needed to warn Shelby first. She was still taking finals. I didn’t want her walking into anything dangerous. “I will.”
The man stood and I got out of the passenger side and walked toward the driver’s side. “Thank you,” I said to the other student as I passed him.
He nodded.
I got behind the wheel and saw that Baldy had left my keys in the ignition and my purse on the floor. With shaking hands, I locked the doors and turned on the engine, then watched the two students walk away.
Is Baldy really going to hurt someone? Who? Who will he hurt?
My thoughts went first to Shelby, then to my mom, and I knew I had to warn them.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Wanting to get away from where Baldy had found me, I pulled out of my space and drove in the opposite direction of where Baldy had gone. As much as I wanted to leave campus, I wanted to take a moment to send Shelby a warning right away. And talk to Mom. Only then would I leave. With my engine running, I stopped along the walkway beside a building—a place where lots of students were walking—and sent a text to Shelby.
Courtney: I ran in to Baldy. He told me some bad news, and we might be in danger. DON’T GO HOME. Text me when you get out of class and we’ll figure out what to do.
I hoped she’d see it as soon as she was done with her finals. Then I called Mom. Miraculously, she answered right away.
“Hi, honey,” she said when she heard my voice. “How’s school going?”
“Great. I’m all done with finals.”
“What a relief, huh?”
“Yes.” On the lookout for Baldy or one of his minions, I kept a close eye on the people around me as I spoke to Mom.
“What about your living arrangements? You have to be out of the house in a week.”
“I know. Shelby and I are looking for a place. I’ll let you know what we figure out.” I paused, ready to get to the point of my call. My voice became more serious. “Mom, I have to tell you something.”
“What is it?”
“You know how I witnessed that murder?”
Her voice became wary. “Yes.”
“Well, there are some people—some bad people—who don’t want me to talk to the police.”
Mom was quiet a moment. “I don’t understand. I thought you’d already spoken to the detective.”
“I did. But, well, I might know more than I told them.”
“Oh, honey. You can’t do that. You have to tell them what you know.”
Guilt and worry sliced through me. I knew she was right—I’d always known that. But that didn’t change the facts. Baldy would hurt me or Mom if I told the police what I knew. But now he thought I’d talked to the police and had gotten Dylan arrested. “Mom, you have to be careful, okay?”
“What are you talking about? Careful about what?”
“The men who don’t want me to talk to the police threatened to hurt someone. I don’t know who, but I’m scared. For you and for me.”
Mom’s voice became firm. “Courtney, listen to me. You drive to the police station right now, you hear me? Right now. You talk to that detective and you tell him what you just told me—that someone is trying to keep you from telling the truth.” She was quiet, and then her voice began to shake. “If something were to happen to you, sweetheart.” Her voice hitched. “It would destroy me. Please, please. Talk to the police.” She took a deep breath. “I should come back. To help you.”
This was complicated enough without me having to worry about Mom and her safety. She seemed a lot safer a thousand miles away than she would be with me in Los Angeles. “No, Mom. No.”
“Then what are you going to do? How are you going to stay safe?” She paused. “You should leave. That’s what. Just get out of town.”
That thought had been floating around in the back of my mind, but now that Mom had suggested it, it seemed like a good idea. An idea that had merit.
“You could even come here,” she continued. “We can fit in my apartment. We’ll make it work.”
“There’s Shelby too, though. She moved in to the house. She’s living with me, so she could potentially be in danger too. I can’t leave her behind.”
“Of course not. She can come too.”
This was getting more and more complicated. I didn’t even know if Shelby would agree to leave, let alone move in to my mom’s one bedroom apartment a thousand miles away. “I . . . I need to think. Okay?”
“Courtney, please be careful. If these people were willing to kill one person, what would stop them from . . .” A sob came across the line. “From killing someone else.”
“Mom, I’m going to be smart about this, okay? I don’t want anything to happen to anyone. Okay?” I’d seen the look in Baldy’s eyes, and I was scared. Seriously terrified. “I need to talk to Shelby.”
“All right. Call me right back. You need to let me know where you are and what’s happening.”
“I will. I love you, Mom.”
Her voice hitched again. “I love you too, sweetheart.”
Eager to get away from the last place I’d seen Baldy, I drove out of the parking lot, looking in all directions, anxious to make sure Baldy was nowhere in sight.
Where can I go that’s safe? Where can I go where Baldy wouldn’t try to basically kidnap me?
I drove away from campus as I considered my options.
The mall. I’ll go to the mall. It’s a large public place. He wouldn’t try anything there. Would he?
With a destination in mind, I drove with purpose, keeping an eye on the cars around me, watching for Baldy. And when I pulled into a parking stall near the entrance to the mall, I made sure no one was around before I got out of my car and made my way inside. Not wanting to be right out in the open, I went into a store and pretended to shop for clothes.
With an armful of clothes over my arm, I went into a stall in the dressing room, hung my clothes on the hook, slid the lock into place, then sat on the tiny bench. My whole body sagged. In the small room I felt invisible, hidden from prying eyes, seeking eyes, eyes of a predator. From Baldy.
My phone rang.
I took it out of my purse and saw Mom’s name on the Caller ID.
“Hello?”
“Courtney, where are you? What’s going on? You didn’t call me back. Are you okay?”
“Yes. I’m at the mall.” I spoke softly, though no one was in the neighboring stalls.
“The mall? What are you doing there?” Her voice was incredulous.
I held back hysterical laughter. “Hiding out. I’m in a dressing r
oom right now.”
“Oh.”
“I haven’t heard from Shelby yet, but she must be about done with her finals.” At least I hoped that was the reason she hadn’t contacted me yet. If she’d gone home and Baldy was waiting there . . . I didn’t want to think about that.
“After we hung up,” Mom said, “I started thinking about all kinds of horrible things happening to you, and now I’m just sick with worry.”
“It will be okay, Mom. I promise. I won’t let anything happen. I’m being super careful.” I was so glad I hadn’t told her how Baldy had basically accosted me at my car. She would be beyond upset. And it actually calmed me to reassure her.
“Tell me your plans, Courtney. What are you going to do to stay safe?”
Good question.
Mom’s voice rose in pitch. “Are you going to talk to the police?”
I pictured Baldy’s face, his dead eyes, and shivered. “I . . . I’m not sure yet.”
“You said these people threatened to hurt someone. When did this happen?”
I hesitated to tell her. It was so recent that I knew it would frighten her all the more. But I didn’t want to lie to her. “It was today.”
“Today? Oh, Courtney. I’m begging you—begging you—to go to the police. Tell them what you know.” She was quiet for a moment. “What do you know, anyway?”
As much as I wanted to be honest with her, telling her that Dylan was the murderer was where I drew the line. Not because I didn’t want her to know, but because telling her would put her in more danger than she was in now. “I don’t want to say, Mom.”
A soft sigh filtered through. “Okay. I guess I understand.”
My phone beeped, indicating another call. I glanced at the Caller ID. “Mom, Shelby’s calling me. I’ve gotta go.”
“Okay. Call me back when you can.”
“I will.”
We said I love you, then I answered Shelby’s call.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“What’s going on?” Shelby asked the moment I answered.
