Deadly Chase

by Wendy Davy

  She moistened her lips and glanced toward the hallway. Chase’s muffled voice drifted through the corridor. Hopefully he would remain in the back room while she…what? What was she going to do? Her options were limited. She had no mode of transportation. Unless…

  Her gaze flew to the keys hanging beside the door. Her thoughts spun, and her adrenaline spiked. Chase’s truck keys remained where he’d first placed them. All she had to do was take them and use his truck. With any luck, she could reach the highway before he noticed her missing. Guilt stabbed at her. She’d never stolen anything in her life. But, this wasn’t stealing. It wasn’t like she was going to keep the truck. She’d only borrow it.

  She reached for the keys, but hesitated as Piper’s frightened voice came back. Sierra, don’t.

  “There’s no other way,” she whispered. Kevin was a desperate man, and desperate men did not follow rules. This wasn’t going to end until Kevin got what he wanted. And, he wanted her.

  Sierra glanced down the hallway once more. Chase would be livid, and she had a feeling Jake wouldn’t be too happy either when they found her missing. But, what else could she do? Every passing second screamed for her to hurry.

  Praying Chase would forgive her, Sierra grabbed the keys and snuck outside. She sprinted to the truck and climbed into the driver’s seat. She cringed when she cranked the ignition and the truck rumbled to life. Not daring to look back at the house, she shifted into gear and eased around the circular driveway before switching on the headlights. Certain the bright beams would further expose her, her damp palms slipped on the wheel as her heartbeat went wild.

  Sierra cautioned herself not to exceed the posted speed limit. Checking the speedometer, she groaned. Thirty-five miles per hour was too slow. She’d thought she’d paid attention as Chase had driven them to his parents’ house, but as she took one wrong turn, then another, anxiety grew, bringing her close to hysteria.

  Several more harrowing turns later, she found the main street leading through town. “Thank you, Lord.” She only had to reach Highway 92 and she’d be able to lose herself in the mainstream traffic.

  “Piper,” Sierra whispered. “Kevin better not hurt you. Or, I’ll…” Could she take a life in self-defense? She didn’t know. Right now, she had to get to her sister. Nothing else mattered.

  Gripping the wheel, she made a left turn. Two more blocks to go. As she neared the turnoff, blue lights flashed in the rearview mirror. A warning siren blipped as a police cruiser approached close behind. Hoping the officer would speed past her, she slowed. When the car followed, now almost bumper to bumper, her hopes vanished.

  What had she done wrong? She hadn’t been speeding, and she hadn’t made any illegal turns. There was no reason for her to be singled out, unless…

  Chase had reported his truck stolen.

  Had he contacted the police so quickly? Or, had he hitched a ride with the patrol car that had been assigned to drive by the house?

  Either way, the delay could cost Piper her life.

  Sierra stopped the truck and lowered the window as she fought back tears. She couldn’t lose it, not now. She twisted, peering back at the police cruiser.

  Chase emerged from the passenger side—he had hitched a ride. The scowl on his face confirmed her suspicions; he was livid. He closed the distance between them and braced his arms across the open window. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “I don’t have time to explain. Let me go, Chase.”

  “You’re not going anywhere.” His clipped tone complimented his dark scowl as he withdrew the keys dangling from the ignition. “Have you forgotten whose truck this is?”

  “I’ll find another way. Let me out.” She moved to exit the vehicle, but he didn’t budge. She might as well have been pushing against a brick wall. “You can’t keep me here.”

  A wry smile split his lips. “I’d say stealing my vehicle is grounds to take you into custody.”

  “Custody?” Her eyes narrowed. “You wouldn’t.”

  “Try me. I told you before, I have handcuffs. And I have the authority to use them.” His detached tone and set jaw told her he was not fooling around.

  “I...I only borrowed it.” The excuse sounded lame to her own ears.

  “Without my permission. Sounds like stealing to me.” Chase signaled toward the awaiting police car, and the officer drove away, leaving them alone. He yanked open the door. “Scoot over. I’m driving.”

  Sierra had no choice but to slide to the passenger side as he claimed the driver’s seat. “You don’t even know where I’m going.”

  He cranked the ignition, raised the window and turned the heat on high. “I will when you tell me.”

  She crossed her arms, searching for an alternative. She could try and make a run for it. She glanced out the window. Nine thirty and the nearby businesses were closed, the owners probably already asleep in their beds. No cars passed on the two-way street, and only a few lights glowed in faraway homes. Compared to Seattle’s hustle and bustle, this place was like a ghost town.

  “How far do you think you’d get?” Chase’s voice pierced her thoughts.

  She snapped her attention back. Fiery resolve burned within his gaze. If she ran, he would catch up and then toss her into the Granite Falls County Jail. Locked up, she’d have no way to help Piper. She tried another approach. “I don’t want you involved in this.”

  “Sierra, I’m already in it up to here.” He gestured to the top of his head. “So, you can start talking, or we can sit here all night. Your choice.”

  Her heart raced. She didn’t have time for this. Kevin could be doing any number of things to Piper, and he’d probably enjoy each and every one of them. Kevin had always been jealous of how close Sierra had been to her sister. His jealousy had evolved into something more dangerous, and now Kevin had the opportunity to exact his revenge.

  “I have to go. Please get out.”

  Chase looked at her as if she’d lost her mind. He draped one hand across the wheel and placed his other on his thigh as if settling in for a lengthy discussion. “Just tell me where it is you’re in such a hurry to get to.”

  The temptation was there. Chase was strong, virile. He could help. But Kevin had made himself clear. To cross him could prove to be a deadly mistake. “I-I can’t.”

  Chase scraped his hand down the length of his face, looking weary and deflated. Sierra swallowed as an onslaught of guilt washed over her. He’d done nothing to deserve this. He rolled his shoulder as if pain from his gunshot wound plagued him—the same gunshot wound he’d received saving her life.

  “He’s a cold blooded murderer, and he’s after you. Stop trying to handle this all on your own. You made a mistake in trusting Eason, now, the biggest mistake you can make is not trusting me.”

  Sierra’s guilt deepened. “It’s not because I don’t trust you. I do,” she whispered.

  “You’d rather take your chances alone”—he met her gaze—”than to allow me to help you?”

  She had hurt him. Pain registered deep in his eyes. Anger she could deal with, but this… Sierra clasped her fingers together to steady her shaking hands. She drew in a breath, grasping at one last hope as she began to cave. “If I tell you, will you promise you’ll let me go alone?”

  He gripped the steering wheel tight, but his voice softened. “You know I can’t make a promise like that.”

  “Please, Chase…”

  “Did Eason call you?” The look he gave her suggested he’d already guessed the answer.

  Sierra ducked her head and studied her intertwined fingers. “He called while you were talking with Jake.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me? I was right there, in the next room.”

  Sierra looked up at the sound of his injured voice. Moments passed before she gathered her courage. “Kevin’s taken Piper hostage in her own house. He told me to come within one hour. He said he would kill you if you showed up.”

  Chase dipped his head and lifted his brows. “So,
you were going to walk right in and demand her release?”

  “I have to do something.”

  His jaw twitched, and he looked ready to drag her over hot coals. “What makes you think he’d let Piper go?”

  “It’s me he wants.”

  “He can’t have you.”

  The possessive note in his voice proved her suspicions. Chase would put himself in harm’s way again, no matter the risk. “This is something I have to do.”

  “Not alone, you don’t.”

  “You’ve been shot once for me. I don’t want it to happen again.”

  “Tell me something. What do you think Eason will do when you get there? Take you, release Piper, and forget about me? Honey, I’m not only on his radar, I’m in his sights. Did you forget I can testify against him too?”

  “Well...” She hadn’t thought much beyond the immediate need to rescue Piper. “I can only think of one thing right now. I have to get to my sister.”

  “We will. Together. Where does she live?”

  Sierra hesitated.

  Chase sighed. “One phone call and I’ll have the address.”

  Sudden panic seared through her. “No. Don’t call anyone. No one else can know.”

  “We’ll need back-up.”

  “Kevin said to come alone.”

  Chase lowered his voice. “Of course he said that. He wanted to scare you.”

  “It worked.” She rubbed her temples as mounting pressure formed a dull throb in her head. “I’m terrified. What are we going to do?”

  “That depends”—he turned on the blinker and pulled the truck onto the road—”on how much you trust me.”

  23

  “Stop fidgeting.” Kevin warned his quarry as she struggled against the binding ropes. He checked the knots, although he knew Sierra’s sister could not escape.

  Piper tried to dislodge the gag he’d placed in her mouth. She heaved, probably from the accelerant he’d soaked the cloth in, but he didn’t care. This woman was inconsequential.

  “Your sister is nothing like you.” He straddled a kitchen chair and faced Piper, flicking a lighter and watching the flame rise high in the dim room. “She’s a fighter. I’ll take great pleasure in making her beg for her life.”

  Tears slid down Piper’s cheeks.

  Anger boiled to the surface. Kevin could not tolerate weakness. He picked up the gallon container of kerosene and doused the kitchen. The stench burned his nostrils and stung his eyes.

  Piper shook her head violently from side to side. She struggled to speak through the dirty cloth clogging her mouth. Something resembling the word ‘why’ made it past the barrier.

  He tossed the empty can across the room, and it landed with a metallic clang. The noise made Piper shrink back, like the coward she was. “Not yet. I want Sierra to watch.” He paced the room. “No doubt she’ll bring her boyfriend with her.” The thought of another man touching his property sent another wave of fury through him. Detective Price would pay for his actions. The man had been a nuisance ever since he’d been forced to teach Amber a lesson.

  Kevin checked his utility bag for his new ID. It was ready and waiting. He’d paid an exorbitant amount for it, but it was worth it. He’d finish this business, and then start a new life. He’d open up his own law practice. Somewhere warm, he decided. And sunny. That’s where he’d find his perfect mate. At one time, he’d thought Sierra was that perfect woman. What a fool he’d been.

  He wouldn’t make the same mistake again.

  Kevin reviewed the plan again in his mind. He had every detail sorted out, and every possible anomaly accounted for. His strategy was infallible. Nothing and no one would get in his way. He hadn’t graduated top of his class on a whim. He’d worked hard for his degree, and his career. No two-timing woman was going to ruin his success, and no misguided detective would stand in his way.

  Kevin clenched his jaw, and took out a photograph. “Wait till Price gets a look at this.”

  His triumph over the detective gave Kevin a high like the purest of cocaine. He only wished he could stick around and see the look on Price’s face when he saw the picture of Amber, on her knees begging for mercy.

  Kevin looked at Piper and boasted, “In case you’re wondering. This is what I’m going to do to Sierra.” He held out the picture.

  Another sob escaped his hostage and he sobered. “Stop sniveling.” He took care not to step in the accelerant as he stood and maneuvered a small explosive device from his bag. He set it on the table, and made sure the remote detonator was armed.

  Sweat seeped from Piper’s brows, and her eyes shone with renewed fear.

  “It’s only a matter of time now.” Kevin’s heart beat at a fast, but steady pace as he stepped to the window, peering into the inky darkness. It didn’t matter that he couldn’t see what was out there. He’d placed numerous alarms across the property. If anything so much as breathed on Piper’s land, he would know about it.

  A few moments later, the alarm sounded. A surge of adrenaline coursed through Kevin and a feral grin lifted his lips.

  Justice was about to be served.

  24

  “I don’t like this. If Kevin even suspects I’m not alone, he’ll kill Piper.”

  Chase cut the lights and parked in Piper’s driveway, well out of sight of the house. He turned to face Sierra. “We have the advantage.”

  Her eyes rounded. “How?”

  “We already know Eason. We know his motivations. We also know he has only one hostage and you’ve given me a detailed layout of the house and property.”

  “True. But we don’t know exactly where he’s holding her, or what kind of weapons he has. What if he’s outside waiting? Watching us already?” Sierra shuddered and looked around the darkened landscape. “There are acres of woods surrounding this house. He could be anywhere.”

  “We’ll know more after you establish a line of communication with him.”

  “Me?”

  “Yes.” Chase didn’t like the idea of Sierra speaking with Eason again, but if everything went well, tonight Piper and Sierra would both be safe and free from this terrible man.

  Sierra lifted her chin and nodded, courageously accepting the task. “Tell me what to do.”

  Chase’s respect for her grew as she faced her fears head-on. “Just wait, for now.”

  On the drive over, he’d called in back-up. Anticipating the officers’ arrival, he allowed himself a moment to consider what would happen when Eason was in custody. Sierra would testify. He would testify. Eason would be put away for a very long time. Sierra could live her life again. She’d be free.

  Then, she wouldn’t need him anymore.

  A strange sensation ignited in his gut, leaving him with the pang of loneliness, even as he sat alongside her in the parked truck. He’d grown used to being with her. He didn’t know if he could ever stop the urge to protect her.

  “How many officers will be out here?”

  “Enough.” In an effort to keep the situation under control, Chase hadn’t called in the hostage negotiation team. Instead, he was relying on a few, select fellow officers he could trust.

  He checked his ammunition and removed the safety on his gun. He’d given orders that Eason be brought in unharmed. But, if it came down to saving Sierra, he wouldn’t hesitate to fire a kill shot.

  Sierra’s gaze followed his movements. “I don’t suppose I could have one of those.”

  “You know how to handle a gun?” Not that he had any intention of handing one over.

  “I’ve used BB guns to shoot tin cans.”

  Chase cracked a smile. “In that case, no. Besides, you’re staying in the truck, remember?”

  “When will the others get here?”

  “It won’t be long.”

  “I don’t know about all this.” She nipped at her lower lip.

  “I need to get a closer look. This all could be some kind of elaborate set up.” Chase moved to open the door, but Sierra stopped him with a hand on h
is arm.

  “Why don’t you wait until back-up gets here?”

  “Because we need to be ready to move in on Eason. The more we know now, the better off we’ll be when help arrives.”

  She nodded. “Be careful.”

  He didn’t want to go, but had little choice. He leaned in and planted a quick kiss on her soft lips. “Lock the doors. I’ll be back in a few.”

  The cool night air enveloped him and he zipped his jacket as he darted between the trees. The house was dark, except a faint light glowing from the kitchen window. Chase gripped his gun tighter, eager to take down Eason. Adrenaline spiking, he had to restrain himself from entering the house immediately. Waiting for back-up was the best way to tip the odds in his favor.

  He circled the perimeter, gauging the distance to the back door. An inadequate back porch light illuminated an approximate three-foot radius. Good. Once assembled, his team could approach the house virtually undetected.

  He studied the house, committing the layout to memory. Satisfied he had good point of entry, he headed back to the truck—it was time for Sierra to make contact with Eason.

  The breeze rattled branches overhead, and carried a faint scent of smoke. The darkness obscured his vision, but not his senses. Something wasn’t right. Goosebumps raised on his arms. Neck hairs stood on alert. He looked toward the house. The faint glow from the kitchen had brightened into a dancing, amber hue.

  “No.” With a quick glance down the driveway, he willed Sierra to stay inside the truck. He dashed toward the house’s rear, knowing there would be no time for reinforcements to arrive before flames consumed everything within reach.

  He placed a quick call to 911 before kicking open the back door. Gun drawn, he made his way toward the fire’s source. Smoke seared his lungs, and he bent low to avoid the worst of it as he rounded the corner to the kitchen.

  Heat waves scorched the air, devouring oxygen. Flames consumed the area surrounding a terrified woman bound to a chair. The woman looked enough like Sierra for Chase to know this must be Sierra’s sister.