I had to try though.Sitting here and letting them kill me wasn’t an option, and by the sounds of that conversation, that would be the end result no matter what Ryland did.
I hefted the wooden rod.It seemed solid enough.Not the best weapon, but it was something.I flashed back to the conversation Ryland and I had on the island.The one about using what was at hand to disarm an opponent.
Off to the side of the mops was a collection of jugs, presumably cleaning solutions.Keeping a firm grip on the mop handle, I crouched down to read the labels.Most of them were blurred, hard to make out due to time and grunge but there was no mistaking the skull and crossbones labels, warning of a hazardous chemical.If I splashed something in the poachers’ faces, I could blind one of them.Maybe both, if luck was on my side.
I could do this.I could save myself.Picking out a jug at random, I unscrewed the top and took a cautious sniff of the contents.
Yikes!I closed my eyes against the stringent fumes.Maybe a little too strong.If any of this splashed back at me, I could blind myself as well as the poachers.Not exactly what I had in mind.
I grabbed another jug and repeated the smell test.Better.It had a flowery fragrance.I guessed it was some type of liquid soap, which had the added benefit of being thick enough to stick to my target without any backsplash.Keeping a firm grasp on the broom handle, I picked a spot against the wall, near enough to the door to execute my plan without putting myself within reach of whoever came through it.
Unscrewing the top of the soap container, I tossed it away and settled in to wait.Jug in one hand and broom handle in the other, I felt a tiny flare of hope.
The seconds ticked by with excruciating slowness.What were they doing in there?I could hear muttered words, but it sounded like the two men were farther from the door now, and I couldn’t make out the conversation.The odd word I managed to decipher gave no clue as to what was going on.
My plan hinged on someone coming to check on me.
The panic started to resurface.I’d only get one shot at this.My life depended on getting out of this building and away from these guys.I needed to calm down.I took a long, deep breath, holding it for a count of five before letting it out.And again.It helped.A little.
The element of surprise was in my favor.I had to capitalize on it.I forced myself to think of Diego, waiting for me to return.And Ryland.Did he even know I was missing yet?
Chapter Thirteen
Ryland
“What do you mean she’s not here?”I stared at Sasha as an uneasy sense of alarm took root in my gut.“I called her from the airport.The line was busy, but I left a message.I told her I had to finish up the paperwork on the poachers, but I’d drive up here today and pick her up in time to take her to supper to celebrate breaking up the ring of poachers.She was supposed to stay here and wait for me to come and get her.”
Diego whined, adding to my sense of unease.This was not good.I took a deep breath.“Do you know where she went?”
Sasha shook her head.“She didn’t say, but I thought she was going to meet you somewhere.She said you texted her to meet you.I heard the text come in and saw her reading it.We thought you’d arranged a romantic tryst.”
I shook my head, hoping my suspicions were way off base.“I haven’t contacted her since last night.The cell reception sucks in these mountains.”
Unable to stand still, I started to pace, my hands clasped behind my back.“Did she say anything else before she left?Where were we supposed to meet?”
Sasha bit her lower lip, her face screwed up as she tried to remember.“She mumbled something about out of town, but she didn’t sound worried or anything.She just grabbed her purse and her keys and said she’d see me later.Like I said, she sounded excited, so I didn’t think anything of it.I’m sorry.”
I shook my head.“It’s not your fault, but I need to find her.”
I pulled out my phone and hit Kimberly’s number on fast dial.It went straight to voicemail.
“Shit.”I resisted the urge to pitch the phone across the room.“Did she take her own car?”
Sasha nodded.“Yes.”
I crossed the space between us in one long stride, giving my sister a quick hug.“Don’t worry.I’ll find her.”
A worried frown wrinkled her forehead.“Call me when you have news.”
I turned on my heel and strode out the door with Diego at my heels.
I turned back.“Sorry, boy.You have to stay.”I motioned him back to the house.
Diego whined, dropping to the ground.
I pointed at the house.“Go.”
He wagged his tail and laid his head down on his front paws.I didn’t have the time or patience to argue with a dog.“Fine.But you stay in the car.”
