No weapons, not even a pen on the floor and Chelsea hadn’t brought keys with her.But she could run when they stopped, and perhaps she’d be able to outrun him.
Not far ahead was construction fencing and a gate into a property development.She recognised Johann’s company name on the poster.
“This is what Lilydale could be.”Johann gestured to the row of bland, cookie-cutter units packed close together along a street.“Homes so the elderly can be independent but still have support if they need it.”
Chelsea didn’t disagree with the concept.“Why do you need Lilydale if you have this development?”
“We’ve sold everything.There’s more demand than supply with the baby boomers getting older and our surveys show there are a group of customers who want a more rural location.”He spoke as if giving a presentation to stakeholders.
Perhaps that was what she was.
Chelsea wasn’t certain where they were, but it must be somewhere just south of Pinjarra and towards the coast.
Johann pulled up and grabbed something from the floor.He brandished a butcher’s knife towards her and she shrank back against the door, her hand scrabbling to find the door handle.
“I don’t want to hurt you.”The slight desperation in his gaze made Chelsea freeze.
She swallowed.“What do you want me to do?”
“We’re going into that building.”He gestured to the nearby demountable.
“Is it the construction office?”
“Yeah.”
She glanced at the bush.Should she run for it?It would be hard going through the dense undergrowth, and Johann would catch her in the car if she used the road.
But it was her only hope.Whatever his plan, he couldn’t let her go when he was done.Not if he didn’t want to go to gaol.
She got out and dizziness swept over her as she straightened.She clutched the door frame for support as she tried to get her legs to work but it was as if they were jelly.
Frustrated, she closed her eyes until the dizziness faded.
Johann grabbed her arm.“Come on.”
Damn.Running had been her only option.Now what was she going to do?
She breathed slowly, concentrating on her steps.Perhaps she could reason with him.“I’m assuming no one works here on the weekend?”She stumbled towards the demountable building, her steps unsteady and nausea making her want to vomit.
“Not at the moment.We might ramp up the project after we’re at lockup.Our clients want to move in by Christmas.”
Which was still eight months away.It was a pretty impressive schedule if they stuck to it.
He glanced at her.“That’s why we need Lilydale as soon as possible.”His expression had morphed into salesman mode; an attempt at charm which only came through as insincere.
The change was more frightening than the anger.This spoke more of delusion.Did he really believe she would change her mind after he had kidnapped her?Whatever his plans, her best option was to stall him long enough for Ethan or the police to find her.Or find a weapon and attack when he wasn’t expecting it.
But first she needed him to put down that viciously scary knife.
Chelsea’s heart raced as she walked into the demountable.“Perhaps I was a little hasty in refusing you.Lilydale would be perfect for your requirements.”
Johann nodded, though he looked a little suspicious.
“Do you have a concept?”Only the one door, but four windows she could escape from.She stopped next to the filtered water stand with plastic cups next to it.“May I have a drink?”
Johann nodded, and placed the knife on a credenza just next to the door.
Chelsea poured a glass, making note of the kitchenette on the other side of the room.She might find a weapon there.
