Gabe followed him into the open-plan office area.
The detective typed something on his keyboard and waited for a reply. “No one by that name works for the FBI.”
“We need to get to the cottage,” Russell said to the detective. “Send all available police and highway patrol units to Gabe’s address in Sapphire Bay. Possible kidnapping and murder suspect on the loose.”
Gabe’s hand shook as he emailed Russell a picture. “I’ve sent you a recent photo of Natalie.”
“Got it. Taylor, send this photo to all responding units along with a picture of Jaydon Chapman.” Russell quickly tapped something into his phone, grabbed his jacket, and headed toward the door. “Let’s go.”
Gabe followed him outside. They were at least thirty minutes away from Sapphire Bay. He prayed to God that someone in their law enforcement team was closer.
* * *
Natalie bent over,gasping for breath. She listened for footsteps, anything that would tell her if Leith’s stepbrother was behind her.
He must be hurt, must be moving slower than he usually would.
Don’t underestimate your attacker.How many times had Gabe repeated those words? Just thinking about Gabe made tears fill her eyes. She wiped her face, shocked to see blood smeared across her hands.
Keep moving.
Don’t stop.
She stumbled forward. Her granddad’s hideout wasn’t far away. Concealed in the trees, it would keep her safe until Gabe or Caleb arrived.
She prayed they’d read her texts. Leith’s stepbrother had killed before. He would be angry, wanting revenge. If he found her, she’d die.
Her feet flew across the uneven forest floor. Soft, mossy ground gave way to dry leaves, decaying pine trees became spruce and oak. She needed to move closer to the lake, but not too close. If Leith’s stepbrother was anywhere near the shore, he could—
“You’re going to die!”
She tripped, falling to the ground with a sickening thud. Pain ripped through her leg.
Oh, God.He sounded close, but sound traveled differently over the water. Biting her lip, she sat upright, holding back the moan that tore through her throat.
Blood oozed down her leg. The branch of a tree had sliced her skin, left her shin raw and weeping. It was just a flesh wound. It would heal.
Yanking the hem of her dress higher, she used her teeth to tear the thin fabric. With shaking hands, she bandaged her leg, knotting it tightly across the wound.
Keep moving.
Don’t stop.
“Did you hear me, Miss High and Mighty? I’ll carve you into little pieces and feed you to the wild animals. No one will ever find your body.”
Natalie gritted her teeth. She wouldn’t listen to his cruel taunts. He was scaring her, hoping she’d give up and make his job easier. She rolled onto her feet.
Ignore the pain.
Blinking back tears, she hobbled forward. Her heart pounded as she moved toward the hideout.
The trees were thinning, giving way to the undergrowth that grew against the stony shore of the lake. Crouching low, she crawled between the plants. Her body shook with fear as she peered around the lake, searching for any sign of Leith’s stepbrother. His white T-shirt would stand out, make him as obvious as the water gently lapping to shore.
Nothing looked out of place. She focused on the edge of the forest, the undergrowth that could easily hide him. Still nothing.
Natalie crept back into the forest, making her way toward the hideout.
“I’m getting closer.” His voice boomed across the lake. “It’s the perfect place to die. And you will. Slowly and painfully.”
