Jamie twists to set me on my feet on the steps but stays where he is. After a beat, I realize he’s standing on one foot and has the other planted in the middle of my dad’s chest, holding him underwater.
“Jamie.”
His determined, dark scowl sends chills through me.
My hand touches his arm in a bid to influence him. To pull him back to reality. “You can’t. It’s too dangerous.” I’m not worried about my dad anymore. I just don’t want Jamie to end up in jail for killing him. “Security cameras,” I whisper. “I don’t know where they’re positioned.”
Removing his foot slowly, Jamie stares down through the water at my father.
When Dad rises to the surface, he backpedals away from us. His chest heaves as he splutters for breath.
With a look of disgust, Jamie stalks up the steps. His hand catches my forearm as he passes and tugs me along with him.
Because of the adrenaline overload, I don’t realize how cold I am until I’m inside the warm house. As I start to shiver, Jamie guides me upstairs. We track wet footprints as we walk, and I rub my arms.
“Do you use Fentanyl pain patches?” I ask.
“No.” His frown deepens. “He slapped me on the back when I came outside. Played it off as a friendly gesture. Smart of him to smack that hard. Didn’t feel that he’d stuck something on me. He’s got fucking balls. I’ll give him that.”
I stop at a window to look outside. My dad has lain down a few feet from the door. “What’s he doing?”
Jamie glances out and exhales a small, humorless laugh. “Maybe he’ll fucking freeze to death.” Turning to me, he says, “Take a shower, Sauce. Get warm.”
I follow him into the bathroom where he strips out of his wet boxer-briefs and hangs them on a towel rack. After grabbing a towel, he locks the door before he walks out, still naked.
Deciding I’m too cold to do anything other than what he suggested, I step into the stall and turn on the water.
What the fuck is happening to my life? Now my dad is a murderer, too?
I just can’t process this… Our entire life was a lie.
51
JAMIE
Istop in the guest room to dress and grab my gear. Then I get Allendale’s keys from the kitchen drawer where I spotted them earlier. When I don’t find a skeleton key for the locked cabinet on Allendale’s key ring, I grab a paper clip from his office and go to work in the master bedroom. Antique locks aren’t exactly high security.
Inside the secretary cabinet, there are two burn phones and a laptop.Here we go.I plug in my jiggler device to copy the computer’s hard drive. Next, I suck phone data from those.
Rummaging through the cabinet’s drawers and cubbies, I take photos of everything in case there are trophies hidden among his junk. Giving the jewelry box the same treatment, I move quickly. Then, I stalk back out to the hall and look in the yard. Allendale’s unconscious and hasn’t moved. Alcohol and the drug have finally kicked in.
“Jamie?”
Turning, I spot Sawyer standing at the top of the stairs. Christ, I need the rest of the pool water to drain from my ears. She’s wrapped in a towel, looking pale and pensive.
Jogging up the stairs, I join her. “Hey, Sauce. He’s out, but lock yourself in your room while you pack.”
“So, we’re leaving tonight?”
“We are, yeah.” I guide her to her bedroom. “While you pack, there are a few other places I’ll check for hidden evidence stashes. Won’t take long. Then we’re out.”
She nods.
“You all right?” I ask.
Blowing out a slow breath, she shrugs.
Taking her face in my hands, I give her a kiss. “You saved my life, huh, Sauce?”
