“Do you have anything concrete to go on?”
“Just a couple of comments Dawson made to Tiffany. Jesus, Stan, I have to do something. I can’t sit around Vine Haven twiddling my thumbs. I’m going crazy, and this is the only lead we have.”
“If you feel that strongly about it, I don’t want you to go alone. Where are you now?”
“Just outside San Rafael headed for the 80 East interchange.”
“I’ll have Pete drive Brandon out to meet you at the junction of 80 and Highway 12. They should get there about the same time you do. Take Brandon with you for backup just in case you do find Dawson.”
“Fine.”
“Don’t do anything stupid if you locate him.” His voice took on a sharp edge. “I want this handled by the book. Technically, you’re not involved in this investigation.”
“I know that. I’ll be in touch.” He clicked off his phone. “Technically, I don’t give a damn.”
* * * *
Rachel sat on the edge of the bed and forced herself to remain calm. The pervert swallowed nervously a couple of times before finally sitting beside her.
“I’m sorry about scaring you. I never wanted to hurt you or Lark, but I couldn’t think of any other way to get you up here.”
“You could have asked.”
“You wouldn’t have come. You’re so beautiful, Jordan.” He ran a shaking finger along her arm. “So very, very beautiful. I couldn’t risk you turning me down.”
“Tiffany’s beautiful, too. I’m no one special, Curt.”
His face twisted. “That’s not true. You’re perfect. Tiffany was only after a good time. You’re not like that.”
“You don’t know me at all. You don’t know what I’m like.”
“You’re wrong.” Emotion glistened in his eyes. “I’ve known you for a long time. I fell in love with you when I was just a teenager. You were amazing—your face so perfect, and your body...” His throat worked. “Watching you made me ache with desire, but I knew you wouldn’t want me then. I had to become the man you deserved.”
“How’d you do that?”
He scooted closer until their thighs touched. With a force of will, Rachel remained still.
Keep him talking. Give Lark a chance to escape.
“I wasn’t a popular kid.” A breath lifted his chest. “The other kids picked on me, but that stopped when I got older. You see I had something the boys envied, and pretty soon word got around. The girls showed a lot more interest, and I was happy to satisfy their curiosity.” He gave her a smug look. “I don’t like to brag, but I have what it takes to gratify your needs.”
She pressed her lips together and fisted her hands on the quilt to keep them from shaking.
“I know I was no great lover back then, but practice makes perfect. You deserve the best, Jordan. I may not be as good-looking as those men on TV, but I compensate for it in other ways.”
“A relationship isn’t all about sex.” She swallowed. “You know that, don’t you, Curt?”
“It’s an important element. Anyway, you were married. Then you left the show, and I didn’t see you for a long time. I tried to forget about you. I went to a shrink, and he prescribed these stupid pills for me to take, but I couldn’t let you go. When I saw stories in the tabloids about your cheating husband, I knew it was time to act. He wasn’t good enough for you, Jordan. He never loved you the way I do.”
“Bryce wasn’t a very good husband.”
“He was an asshole. You filed for divorce, and I moved to California to be closer to you. I found your house and your bookstore, and sometimes I’d drive by just hoping for a glimpse of your beautiful face.”
“You stalked me all these years?”
“Of course not. I never stalked you.” His eyes clouded. “I was content to admire you. I knew you weren’t ready yet. You were still hurting, still recovering from what that bastard did to you. I’m a patient man, and I was willing to wait until the time was right. I knew someday we’d be together.”
“Then you got tired of waiting.”
He nodded. “I suppose so. You made a new life for yourself, and you seemed happy. Still, you weren’t dating. I saw that as a sign. In your heart, you were waiting for me. I watched you more often, and I knew the time for us to be together had come. I was working on a way to meet you when you booked the camping trip. It was perfect. Fate. My sister had that dumb family reunion planned, so I simply called and told her I changed my mind about going. She was annoyed because it meant crowding the kids to give me a place to stay.”
“You brought Tiffany with you.”
“Sure. She served a useful purpose. I was worried seeing you every day might cause me to act in haste. Tiffany was a buffer. I could talk to you, and you’d see what a nice person I was without feeling threatened. Then there’s my mother. The old bat has been after me forever to marry a nice girl and settle down. I knew she’d hate Tiffany, and watching her squirm gave me some satisfaction.” He smiled. “My mother will love you. She was a big fan of yours all those years ago.”
She forced herself to stay calm, breathe evenly. Keep him talking. “Why didn’t you just call and ask me out after we left the retreat? Why did you follow me to Tahoe and grab me in the woods? You hurt me.”
His face darkened. “Because you ruined my plan. You spent all your time with Lafferty. You hardly knew I was there.” He gulped in air. “I saw you together at that little lake and again out in the canoe. You let him...” His fists clenched. “I was angry. You belonged to me, not him. It was my time to be with you. I had to get you alone and make you see that.”
“So you attacked me and threatened my girls?”
“I didn’t have a choice. Seeing you with Lafferty was killing me. He’s all wrong for you, Jordan. I knew once we were together you’d realize I’m the man you need. We’re meant for each other. Once you spend a little time with me, you’ll forget all about that stupid cop.”
“I’m supposed to forgive you for kidnapping Lark and scaring me to death?” Her voice rose, and she lowered it.
He stroked her arm. “You’ll forgive me.”
“Will the police forgive you? You committed a crime. A number of crimes.”
“You won’t press charges. We’ll work something out.”
The man had lost his grip on reality. He was living in a fantasy world where only Jordan Hale existed. Time was running out.
He licked his lips. “Enough talking. Let me love you. Let me show you we’re perfect for each other.”
As an actress, dozens of men had kissed her. All part of the job. Some she’d liked well enough, and some had been egotistical idiots. It hadn’t mattered. None of it was sexual.
This is no different.
A low moan of pleasure escaped his throat as he bent to kiss her. At the last moment, she turned her face. His lips connected with her cheek. They rested there before running down the side of her neck.
She closed her eyes, but no amount of pretending could convince her this wasn’t real. She forced her mind to another place. How long had she been in this room? They’d been talking for what seemed like a long time. Opening her eyes, she glanced at the bedside clock. Almost eleven. Had Lark gotten safely away yet?
His lips quit assaulting her, and he stood. Her gaze flew up to meet his.
“Relax, Jordan, you’re going to enjoy this.” He unfastened the sheath holding the hunting knife and laid it aside then striped off his clothes. An erection pressed against his boxer shorts.
She turned away, heart pounding.
He glanced down then gazed at her and smiled. “Like what you see?”
Sick panic welled up inside her. She couldn’t stand another minute of this. Time to play her trump card.
“You want everything to be perfect, don’t you?”
He nodded. “It will be. Oh, Jordan, we’ll be so good together.”
“Then we’ll have to wait.”
; His eyes darkened. “I’m through waiting.”
“It won’t be perfect. It’s the wrong time of month for that.”
Face twisted in anger, he sat down beside her again. “I don’t believe you.”
“I’m not lying. I wouldn’t lie about something like that.”
His shoulders sagged, and his eyes watered. “It isn’t fair. I’ve waited so long, and it’s supposed to be perfect.”
She fought to keep her voice low and seductive. Keep him happy. Don’t piss him off. “After all this time, will a couple more days matter?”
“I can’t.” He reached out to take her hand. “There are other ways. You could...”
“No.” Her voice rang out in the still room, and she scooted away from him. “Please, don’t make me. I can’t do that.”
He shuddered and let go of her. “All right, we’ll wait until we know each other better to explore that particular pleasure. At least I can hold you. I want you to take off your clothes.”
Rachel didn’t argue. He was on the edge, ready to snap. If she pushed him, fought harder, he might turn on her. So far her plan was working. Please, God, let Lark be on her way to get help. Slowly she removed her pants and top, leaving only panties and bra to cover her.
His eyes glazed. “Keep going.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t.” She called up Jordan Hale and forced a hesitant smile. “Maybe tomorrow...”
He looked away from her and sighed. “I’m losing patience, but I’ll give you a little time.” Lying down on the quilt, he pulled her tight against him. Tears ran down his face as he stroked her hair. His fingers burrowed into the thick mass.
“Our first time together will be perfect. I’ll satisfy your every desire.” He paused. “Maybe I could...”
It took all she had in her not to throw up. “No, I’m tired.”
His chest rose and fell. “I’m sorry if I’m moving too fast, Jordan.” Sitting up, he pulled back the quilt. “Get under the blanket.”
“I’m not cold. I’ll be fine out here.”
His voice lowered. “Please don’t make me angry.”
“I don’t want to do that.”
She slid beneath the covers. He climbed in behind her and wrapped her in his arms. His erection pressed against her bottom. She lay perfectly still, afraid any movement…
After a few seconds, he reached across her to turn off the bedside lamp. The room plunged into darkness.
“I’ll know if you try to leave.” His breath touched her ear. “I’m a very light sleeper.”
Dry-eyed, she waited silent and still until the sick pervert’s breathing deepened. Somewhere in the night Lark was safe and sending help her way. She couldn’t bring herself to believe anything else. She’d endured this freak’s touch for a reason. Played her part and played it well. Her daughter was safe, and Kane was coming. She prayed he would arrive before the pervert’s self-restraint crumbled. Before it was too late.
Chapter 29
The police radio squawked as the operator responded to the 9-1-1 call.
“Lark got away!” Kane pushed his foot to the floorboard, and the Jeep damn near went airborne as it sped up the freeway.
“We’re close to her location, maybe ten minutes out.” Brandon spoke into his radio. “We’ll reach her before the local police can.”
Kane’s eyes never left the road. “I’m not waiting for backup.”
Brandon grabbed the armrest. “That’s why Sheriff Walker sent me along.” He braced himself as they flew around a semi at ninety miles an hour. “Whoo-hoo, this is the most excitement I’ve had since I started this job.”
Tires squealed around a corner. “Believe me, kid, you don’t want this kind of excitement. I was like you once.” Kane clamped his jaw shut and focused on the next bend. “You’ll learn. I hope the lesson isn’t as hard as mine was.”
“Uh, sure. There’s our exit.”
Lark sat huddled near a phone booth when they roared into the gas station. Yanking on the emergency break, Kane jumped out of the Jeep and called to her.
“Kane!” She scrambled to her feet and launched into his arms.
He caught her and held on tight. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”
She shook her head. “We have to help Mom. She’s still there.” Her eyes filled with tears as she stared up at him. “She stayed with that sick freak so I could get away, and I’m afraid of what he’s doing to her.”
Kane put his arm around her as they ran back to the Jeep then boosted her in. “Let’s go.”
Following Lark’s directions, they took off down the road. Brandon called in their destination.
Kane glanced in the rearview mirror. “How’d you get free?”
“The stupid pervert tied me up, but Mom hid a knife for me to find. Once they went into the bedroom, I started working on the ropes. It took forever.” Her voice choked on a sob. “When I finally got loose, I ran for help. I couldn’t believe no one was home in any of the houses along the road. I should have stayed. I shouldn’t have left her alone!”
“You made the right choice. Don’t cry, Lark. We’ll help your mom.”
“They want us to wait until the local police get here. They’re about five minutes behind us.” Brandon shut off his radio.
“I’m not waiting.” Kane frowned as he slowed to enter the dirt road. “This leads to Jed’s house. The bastard’s holding her in my brother’s home.”
Lark leaned forward between the seats. “Why would he do that?”
“Probably because he knew it would be empty. Jed’s up at Granite Lake all summer.”
“That makes sense. The place is isolated and vacant. What better location to hold a hostage?” Brandon gripped the armrest as they hit a bump.
From the back seat, Lark let out a little squeak.
Parking the car a few hundred feet from the cabin, Kane turned off the headlights and cut the engine. He reached under the seat to remove his Glock then turned around to face Lark. “I want you to stay in the Jeep. If you come with us, you’ll be a distraction I don’t need. I have to focus all of my attention on helping your mom. When the other police get here, tell them we’ve gone inside.”
Eyes wide, she nodded.
“Lock the doors behind us.”
“Curt has a big knife he wears all the time. The only gun I saw was a rifle in the truck, but he could have one stashed somewhere.”
“Thanks for the heads up. Don’t leave the Jeep, no matter what. We’ll be back with your mom in no time.”
With Brandon following, Kane crept up to the cabin door and eased it open. Raising his Glock, he slipped inside. Dim moonlight illuminated the empty front room. The bedroom door was shut. As he moved forward, Brandon stumbled.
“Shit.” Sacrificing silence for speed, he ran across the room and threw open the bedroom door. A shadow moved, leaping up from the bed. Moonlight glinted off metal as a scream of rage rent the air.
“Drop the weapon, Dawson! Drop it!” Kane shouted.
The man shook his head. “No! No! She’s mine! Do you hear me, she’s mine!”
When his arm swung up, Kane fired. Dawson crumpled to the floor. Approaching with caution, Kane crouched beside the still figure to feel for a pulse. Rising to his feet, he kicked the gun away.
Rachel huddled on the bed, a quilt clutched to her chest, bare legs folded beneath her. Her hair hung in tangles around her face, and moonlight illuminated shadowed eyes and trembling lips.
He sank onto the mattress beside her. “Rachel, honey, you’re safe.”
With a cry, she collapsed into his arms as all hell broke loose when the local police burst into the cabin. Kane let her go for only a second.
Long enough to call out they were all okay.
* * * *
The sun had risen well above the horizon when Kane and Rachel finally left the police station in Truckee. Brandon and Lark waited for them in the parking lot with Sheriff Walker who had a
rrived during the many hours of questioning.
Lark walked straight into her mother’s arms and squeezed tight. “Can we go home?”
She touched the pink streaked hair. “We can go home.”
“Is it over, Mom?”
“For now it is. Once they set a date for the trial, we’ll have to testify.”
“There won’t be a trial. Dawson didn’t make it through surgery.” The sheriff’s expression was sober as he faced her. “I got the word a few minutes before you came out.” He turned to Kane. “I’m sorry, son. I know the next few weeks won’t be pleasant until an investigation clears you.”
Rachel glanced up at Kane’s drawn face and squeezed his arm. “You did what you had to do.”
He shrugged, but Rachel could feel his withdrawal as the three of them walked to the Jeep. Neither said much as he took the onramp to the freeway. An hour into the drive, Lark fell asleep.
Rachel turned to face him. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“There isn’t anything to say.” His throat worked, and he kept his eyes firmly on the road. “I killed the bastard. He deserved to die for what he did to you.”
Rachel pushed her hair away from her face with a shaking hand. “I’ll be fine. It could have been a lot worse.”
“It was bad enough. I’m so sorry.”
Her eyes widened. “Why are you sorry? You’re the hero. You saved me.”
“Some hero. I should have reached you sooner.”
“Whose fault is it you didn’t? Mine. I was so sure I could handle him by myself and save Lark.”
“You did. Dawson didn’t touch your daughter.”
“No, he didn’t.” She leaned back against the seat. “We both did what we had to do.”
Kane was silent for a long time. Rachel’s eyes closed, and she started to doze off. On a head jerk, she opened them again and sat upright.
“Take a nap. You’re exhausted.”
She blinked and covered a yawn. “I’m thankful Brandon offered to drive the MG home. I don’t think I could have stayed awake.”
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