I reach in and lift her over, realizing a beat too late that she’s completely topless. As I start to pull her against me, so my body conceals her breasts from view, she resists until she lifts her arms and a metal plate overhead.
“Careful,” Arya says, her arms shaking. “There are nails.”
I grab the dirty blanket and tear it so I can wrap it around her chest.
“No shoes,” she says. “You feeling strong enough to carry me out?”
“Absolutely.”
“Turn around, and keep your head still. I’ll put my arms over your shoulders.”
I turn, and she leans against my back, carefully putting her bound wrists over my head. I reach back to grab her legs and pick her up.
Into my ear, she whispers. “There are two girls back there, Erik. One is dead. Body in a trunk.”
I grimace.
“The other could be alive. They have to go in now to find her.”
“Someone will. I promise.”
44
ERIK
Paramedics wrap a blanket around Arya’s shoulders as she sits on the back step of an ambulance. The Foxgrove Fire Department cuts the locks to remove the wrist restraints as FBI agents and Foxgrove PD both attempt to interview her.
As soon as her wrists are free, I give her my sweater to put on. She tugs the filthy blanket out from under it as she answers questions. Every time there’s a break in the questioning, her attention is divided between Avery and the hole in the ground that the Campus Facilities crew has cut to allow quicker access to the tunnels.
“Hey, Viking, where are Shane and Avery going?”
I glance around and spot Shane guiding Avery away from the scene.
“Home, I guess.”
Arya jumps up, causing the EMS blanket to fall from her shoulders. Darting through the crowd, she intercepts them.
“Avery, babe, you need to go to the hospital,” Arya says.
“I’m ok. Not hurt.” Avery’s teeth chatter, and Shane’s arm tightens around her shoulders.
“Yeah, I know you’re fine, but we want him in jail forever, right?”
Avery’s gaze seems to sharpen on Arya. “Yes. We do.”
“So, you should go to the hospital and get a kit. And let them have what you’re wearing as evidence. As soon as Erik and I are done here, we’ll come to the hospital with clothes for you, okay?”
Avery licks her lips, tilting her head to think.
“What kit? What are you talking about?” Shane says.
Arya’s gaze flicks to him and then back to Avery. “You want me to come? I can stay with you.”
I didn’t think it was possible for Shane’s expression to turn darker, but he looks ready to explode.
“Okay. I can go.” Avery nods. “You’re right. We should give them everything. For—forensic evidence.”
“Yeah, and I’ll come with you.”
