by Wendy Davy
Eyes wide, Piper violently shook her head side to side.
“I’m Detective Chase Price. I’m going to get you out of here,” he shouted above the din of crackling flames.
Piper continued to shake her head, her dark hair whipping around her face, but her gaze wasn’t on him. She was focusing on something across the room.
His gaze followed hers. A photograph, its edges curling into gray ash, rested on the kitchen table. Chase’s stomach plummeted and his blood ran cold. “Amber.” Bruises marred her face. Wide, pleading eyes beckoned her ruthless captor to let her live—the picture must’ve been taken moments before she died. Sucker punched in the chest, Chase fought to remain vigilant. He couldn’t help Amber now, but he could help Sierra’s sister.
A whooshing sound blasted the room as the fire discovered a new fuel source. Curtains lit up as they became ensconced in the fury, illuminating the kitchen as if it were midday. A small black object, resting near the table’s edge, caught his attention. He’d dealt with enough explosives to recognize the potentially deadly, volatile device. The remote detonator would be close by, no doubt in Eason’s hands.
Training and instincts took over, and Chase dove toward Piper, praying he wasn’t too late.
25
Cold air seeped into the truck’s cab and Sierra shivered, wishing she’d thought to borrow a coat along with the truck. It had been only a few minutes since Chase left, but it seemed like an hour. She wavered between the need to do something, and the desire to follow his request to stay put. She couldn’t shake the feeling something was wrong, and the longer she waited, the worse the sensation became.
Unable to sit still any longer, she shoved open the truck’s door and stepped into the darkness. Smoke immediately filled her lungs and thoughts of remaining with the truck fled. She raced down the driveway, coming to an abrupt halt in view of Piper’s house. Dark clouds billowed from the windows, eaves and chimney. Soot and ash rose high and then rained down on the earth, blanketing the lawn.
Sierra darted toward the house. “Piper!” Any threat Kevin imposed now paled in the light of what could happen to her sister in the flames. The unbearable thought had her scrambling up the porch steps with little heed to the dangers ahead.
The wraparound porch’s dry, weathered boards would go up fast once the fire reached them. She might have to find another way out once she entered, but she didn’t care. All she could think about was getting to Piper as quickly as possible.
Sierra had just reached the door when someone emerged from the shadows. “Chase?”
“No, bien-aimée.” Kevin stepped forward. Firelight spilled out the open window, casting an eerie glow across his face. “Disappointed?”
A sob tore from Sierra’s throat and she lunged away. Kevin’s arm shot out, capturing her around the waist. He hauled her back against his chest as his foul-smelling hand clamped over her mouth.
“I told you this wasn’t over.”
He’d also told Sierra he’d kill her. The thought motivated her into action. She rammed her elbow back, connecting with Kevin’s ribs, but he didn’t seem to notice as he kept an iron grip around her waist.
Sierra struggled and freed her mouth from his disgusting hand. “Let me go!”
He fumbled in his pocket before lifting a small black object in front of her face, his thumb poised over a raised button. “Do you know what this is?”
Sierra stilled. Whatever it was, she didn’t like the looks of it.
“This is what guarantees your cooperation.”
“W-what do you mean?”
“Come with me, or your boyfriend and sister die. They’re inside, within range of a bomb powerful enough to destroy the entire house.”
Sierra’s blood ran cold. She had no doubt Kevin could conjure and fulfill such an evil plan. She twisted and studied his face, hoping to see some glimpse of emotion or sign of humanity—anything she could use to her advantage. Her hopes drowned in the depths of his fathomless, molasses-colored eyes; only an evil, hollow soul peered back.
“Don’t hurt them. Please. I-I’ll do anything you ask.”
“I know you will.” Kevin released her and gave her a hard shove. “After you.”
Sierra stumbled down the steps and struggled to regain her footing. She glanced back toward the house. It took sheer willpower to walk away, but she had no choice. Kevin had managed to take complete control, again.
He took her by the arm and tugged her across the front yard toward the woods.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
“How do I know Chase and Piper will be all right?”
“You don’t.”
Sierra dug her heels into the ground. “Then I’m not going.”
Kevin stopped beside her and yanked her close. “You will do as I say.”
His peppermint-tinged breath made her gag. She attempted to avoid breathing the tainted air, but he wrapped an arm around her waist and held her flush to his chest as if he had every right to do so. He stilled, and his grip became like a vise. “You have his scent on you.”
She held her breath and braced herself for another of Kevin’s jealous rampages.
A low, rumbling rose from deep in his chest and erupted from his throat like a wolf’s untamed howl. “You’ve probably let him do intimate things to you—things you never wanted me to do. Haven’t you?” He shook her, hard.
Her head snapped back, and pain radiated through her skull. “No, Kevin. That’s not true.”
“You lie. You’ve made some very costly decisions. It’s time you face the consequences.” He cupped her chin and made her face the house. “Look.”
Flames burst through the roof, reaching high and devouring overhead tree branches. The possibility of Piper and Chase remaining trapped inside horrified her. “Why? Why are you doing this?”
“He can’t have you, bien-aimée. You. Are. Mine.” He forced Sierra’s hand over the detonator and pressed down.
The blast knocked them both backward. Heat seared Sierra’s face as debris shot out in all directions. Smoke choked her lungs, and her ears rang from the deafening explosion. She climbed to her knees as the devastation unfolded. She heard screaming, as if it was coming from some distance away. Over and over again, the sound split the night air.
“Shut up.” Kevin growled. He grabbed her by the hair and yanked her to her feet.
Sierra gasped, and the screaming stopped. Only then did she realize the tortured sounds had come from her own throat.
Kevin removed her cell phone from her pocket and tossed it away as his lips curled into a satisfied grin. “Now who’s going to save you?”
Anger surged past Sierra’s numbing shock. She turned, fisted her hands and rammed them into his chest. Sobbing, screaming and crying, she took no heed of Kevin’s retribution. “You’re a monster!”
He didn’t budge while she pummeled him, as if he didn’t feel a thing. Finally, when she’d exhausted herself, he took her fists in his strong grip. “They got what they deserved.” He looked at her as if she were some diseased rodent he intended to exterminate. “Now, it’s your turn.”
26
Liquid warmth trickled down Chase’s temple. He touched his head, and the pain made him wince. He hadn’t had a headache this acute since he’d been a teenager experimenting with alcohol. One hangover was all it had taken to set him straight—he’d never overindulged again.
He sat up, assessing the damage. Although he’d managed to get Piper out of the house, they hadn’t made it far before the explosion. The force had sent them flying through the air several feet. Intense pain radiated through his shoulder and his shirt had ripped at the seam.
Parts of the house lay everywhere, most were unrecognizable. Smoke continued to plume from the fire’s source, and intense flames illuminated the area. He spotted Piper, face down on the grass. Adrenaline gave him the strength to move and he crawled to her. “Piper.” He checked her pulse. Strong and stea
dy. “Thank you, God.” He rolled her over. Leaves stuck in her hair and smudges of soot dirtied her face, but she was alive.
Her eyes fluttered open and she clenched his arm. “What happened?” She looked to what was left of the house and jerked upright. “It’s all gone.”
“We both made it out. Concentrate on that.” Chase looked her over. “Are you hurt?”
“I’m dizzy.” She placed a hand on her forehead.
“Stay on the ground.” Chase strained to see past the flames toward the driveway, hoping to catch a glimpse of Sierra, but he could see nothing from this angle. He put a hand on Piper’s shoulder as sirens sounded in the distance. “Stay here. I’m going to find Sierra. The paramedics will be here soon to look after you.” He started to move away, but Piper held fast to his arm.
“If Kevin would do this”—she glanced at her crumbling house—”think of what he’ll do to Sierra if he gets a hold of her.”
Chase didn’t want to think about it. He dislodged Piper’s hand from his arm and skirted the house, sprinting down the long driveway. The truck’s door stood ajar, the lights burning bright inside the cab. Had she seen the fire and gone inside before the explosion? Or had Eason taken her? Chase couldn’t entertain either possibility.
He spun around and cupped his hands to his mouth. “Sierra!”
She did not reply. He called again. Nothing. He scanned the area for signs of her and spotted something lying on the ground near the trees. He sprinted toward it. As he neared, the shadowy object became clear—Sierra’s cell phone. His stomach dropped, and his gut churned as wild fury mixed with utter panic.
A police car, lights flashing and siren screaming, sped around the corner and down the driveway, closely followed by two fire engines and an ambulance. As emergency personnel jumped from their vehicles, Chase forced himself to rein his emotions. If he had any hopes of finding Sierra, he’d have to approach the situation objectively and act fast.
As several firefighters doused the flames with powerful water streams, Chase nodded to Officer Perkins—an experienced officer with a build as solid as his reputation. He gave a quick interpretation of what had happened, describing Eason in detail. “Take extreme caution. He has a hostage.” His chest constricted as he imagined Sierra in Eason’s hands. A fierce sense of protectiveness engulfed him, igniting a fire deep in his gut.
The EMTs came forward and Chase refused treatment, taking a few precious moments to direct them toward Piper. As several more officers arrived, Chase looked toward Perkins. “Fill them in. I’m going hunting.”
“If Eason is in the vicinity, we’ll find him,” Officer Perkins said.
“Not if I find him first.” Chase dashed to his truck to retrieve his flashlight, drew his weapon and headed toward the woods. Within moments, several others spread out, scouring the area.
Several minutes passed before the officer’s reconvened. Heads shook and features remained stressed. Chase’s idea of detaching his emotions was about to unravel.
“We’ll put out a BOLO for Eason’s vehicle,” Officer Perkins chimed in. “I’ll send some officers to check out his residence.”
“Chase!”
He turned at the sound of his name, barely heard above the roar of the engines. Piper sat inside the ambulance, peering out.
“My sister?”
He read the plea on her lips, saw it in her eyes. He wanted to give her assurances, but as of now, he had no basis. Eason could’ve taken Sierra anywhere, done anything with her. Instead of calling back to Piper across the wide expanse, he strode over and took hold of her hand. “She’s missing. I’m sorry.”
Tears slid down Piper’s cheeks. “If anyone can find her, you can. Sierra told me how secure you make her feel. She said if anyone could keep her safe, it would be you.”
Chase’s gut twisted. If only he could have the same confidence in himself as Sierra had in him. At one time, he’d been so sure of his competence. He’d stood tall and proud behind his badge, his training. He’d held his head high, and trusted in his abilities. Then, the bottom fell out when he’d been unable to protect Amber, his own flesh and blood.
Before, he never would’ve admitted any doubts, but Piper deserved to know the truth. “We have a very narrow window. Eason intends to kill her, if he hasn’t already.”
Piper squeezed his hand and closed her eyes. Instead of breaking down as he’d expected, she spoke softly. “Heavenly Father, bring this evil man to justice. Use whatever, whomever to do it. Save my sister. She’s your child, Father. You love her. You gave Your Son’s life for her. She’s needed here. I need her. Detective Price needs her. Please give him the strength, knowledge and confidence to bring Sierra home safely.” Piper opened her eyes. “God put you into her life for a reason. You may not have what it takes to save her, but He does. Follow your heart, Chase. Use your instincts. You saved me. Through God’s grace, you can save Sierra.”
Chase kept his gaze trained on Piper, amazed at her quiet faith amidst the storm surrounding them. Sierra had exhibited strong faith as well, no matter how bleak her circumstances had looked. Maybe God had been there all along.
“I’m going after her.” Chase left Piper in the paramedic’s hands and headed blindly to his truck. Officers swarmed the area, firefighters battled the flames, and a group of curious bystanders had gathered at the property’s edge. The noise and commotion blurred together as he climbed into his truck. Thankful he’d parked far down the driveway and wasn’t blocked in by the numerous vehicles, he cranked the ignition, then stilled. He didn’t know where to go. A number of possible scenarios came to mind. Would Eason take Sierra into the city? Maybe a remote mountain cabin? Or some random place no one could ever guess?
Overwhelmed, Chase prayed. “Lord, I thought You didn’t care when You let Amber die. I thought You’d abandoned my family. But then You sent Sierra into my life and she showed me what true faith really is. Keep a vigilant watch over her. Send an army of angels. Do what You have to do, just keep her safe and lead me to her before it’s too late.”
Chase waited, listening for some kind of reassurance—anything to let him know God had heard him. Somewhere deep inside he felt as if God was beckoning him for something more. A sign of his own faith maybe? Chase couldn’t be sure, but he followed his heart and lifted his gaze. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I do know You are with me, and with Sierra. I won’t turn my back on You again. You’re in my life for good.” He rasped, and feeling more confident, raised his voice. “I trust You, Lord.” The declaration rang from deep in his heart, verifying the words were true. Sierra was in God’s capable hands, and he was too.
Chase took a breath, and a sense of power and strength came over him, giving him a feeling of peace that could only come from one source. “Thank You, Father.”
The chaos around him remained the same, but now things looked different. The emergency personnel carried out their duties in an orderly, professional manner. The fire was under control. Several police cruisers had already left, searching the roads for Eason’s vehicle. The EMT’s had closed Piper into the ambulance, preparing to take her for further observation.
Everyone was doing their job, and now he was going to do his. As Chase prepared to leave, his cell phone rang. Preoccupied with his thoughts, he absently answered. “Price.”
“I thought you’d have Sierra back home by now. What’s up?” Jake asked in his usual brusque tone.
Glad to hear his brother’s voice, Chase backed down the driveway and pulled onto the road. “I haven’t had a chance to call you.” He quickly summarized the recent events. “He’s got her, Jake. Eason took Sierra.”
“How much lead time does he have?”
Chase checked his watch. It had been only been a little over thirty minutes since he’d left Sierra sitting in the passenger seat. Eason couldn’t have gotten far with her, but any distance was too much. “Half an hour at most.”
“Any idea where he took her?”
“I found he
r cell phone discarded near the woods. He must’ve parked on the next street over.” Chase combed through possible implications. “We have officers checking his residence. But I don’t expect they’ll find them there.” Chase fought his rising anxiety, concentrating on his renewed faith.
“You know Eason. You know his motivations. Where would he go?”
“I do know him. You’d think I’d know exactly where to look.”
“When are you going to stop blaming yourself for everything?”
Chase’s first instinct was to defend himself, but Jake was right. It was time to stop the guilt and condemnation. “Eason thrives on structure. He always drives the same way to work. Stops at the same coffee shop. Eats at the same restaurants.” Chase braked at a red light and drummed his fingers on the wheel. “His pattern of behavior has to lead us somewhere.”
“It’s obvious he likes routines.”
Chase stiffened. “Eason did try to take Sierra’s life the same way he did Amber’s.” He thought back over the details. “Amber was killed in her bed. Sierra was attacked in hers. Maybe…”
Chase broke out into a cold sweat. “Jake, I’ve gotta go.” If Eason had taken Sierra where he thought, she would have very little time left to live, if any.
27
Sierra stared into the darkness. One way or another, this would all be over soon. An odd sense of relief mingled with a fear so poignant she could taste it. She’d never been trapped in a car’s trunk before. It was darker than she would’ve imagined. Scarier. Every bump knocked her around as if this small car—which Kevin had boasted he kept on hand in case of such emergencies—had no shocks.
Some kind of strange scent lingered in the air. Had Kevin kidnapped and transported other women in this same manner, in this same tight space? Had the haunting scents of fear and death remained behind?
