Deer were a distinct possibility.
He hesitated.
The most prudent course seemed to be to continue on,toward the lake. It was doubtful Cara would tackle the overgrown track, and Natalie had said Steven intended to go to the lake.
He started to turn away from the cliff route.
Stopped as a glint registered in his peripheral vision.
Using his toe, he pushed the foliage aside. Bent down to inspect the black cylindrical item with a metal clip on the side.
Huh.
What was a flashlight doing here?
And it hadn’t been in that spot long, either. The barrel wasn’t dirty or stained or weather-beaten.
Brad looked up the trail to the cliff. Back down the path to the lake.
A wrong decision could cost him precious time.
If danger was lurking on these premises today, minutes or even seconds could mark the difference between—
He froze.
What was that?
Cocking his ear toward the cliff trail, he tuned in to the skittering noise.
It sounded like rocks slipping and sliding. As if someone was ascending the steep slope.
Decision made.
After texting Larry his location, he veered onto the path and began to climb, doing his best to remain as silent as possible. Announcing his presence to whoever was up there would be a mistake.
But he had to move fast.
Because every instinct in his body was screaming that whatever was happening on the cliff path had nothing to do with a casual afternoon stroll to admire the view.
He picked up his pace, cringing at the rustle of every leaf he stepped on, but the noise coming from above him ought to be sufficient to cover his missteps.
When he rounded a curve near the top and caught sight of who was ahead of him, his pulse stuttered.
Cara was in front of Steven as the two of them emerged onto the clifftop, and when she swung toward the man, he extended his arm.
There was a gun in his hand.
And it was aimed at her heart.
Brad’s heart lurched as icy fingers squeezed his windpipe.
What the ...?
This didn’t make any sense.
Why would Steven be holding her at gunpoint?
Unless she’d stumbled into something he didn’t want anyone to see—as Micah perhaps had.
