“But he could be armed!”
“That’ll be two of us.” At the top of his closet, he got down his .45, slapped in a magazine, and stuck it in the back of his waistband. He hesitated, then grabbed his 9mm, too.
“I don’t believe this,” Joey muttered, as she stumbled into her jeans.
Since he’d stripped off their shirts when they’d first come in, he pulled a T-shirt from a drawer and pulled it on, then tossed one her way, too. Lastly, he checked his phone again. “He’s at the cabin you used.”
That stalled her. “Hendrix...” she whispered.
There was little time to waste, but Hendrix used precious seconds to cup her face. “Lock the door behind me, then call 911. Do you understand?”
White-faced and trembling, she nodded.
He grabbed her hand and hauled her along with him to the back door. “Try not to worry, okay? I’ve got this.”
Air sawed in and out of Joey’s lungs as she struggled to get enough oxygen into her shocked system. Ted,here. And Hendrix wanted to confront him.
Of course he did. She gave a near-hysterical laugh. He wanted to save her – financially and personally. But at what cost?
Ted was unhinged. God only knew what he would do.
She’d known this would eventually happen, yet she’d still held out hope.
Hand to her head, she turned a circle, and then remembered Hendrix’s directions. Practically leaping on her phone, she put in the call and the second the dispatcher answered, she started babbling like a nervous wreck.
She gave all the information she could think of: location, the threat, her name, Hendrix’s name. Ted’s name.
Blast Hendrix for leaving her like this! Why hadn’t he just stayed with her and let the authorities handle things?
Determined to help more than hinder, Joey got herself under control. “We’re in an RV campground, but it’s closed for Christmas, so right now we’re the only ones here. My ex has been...violent before.”And now he might be violent with Hendrix.“Please hurry.”
The dispatcher was still talking to her when Joey made up her mind and the moment she did, she felt more in control. She was the one Ted wanted. If she was nearby she could keep him busy long enough for the cops to arrive.
Hendrix had done more than enough for her. At least with this, she could help.
“I’m going outside.” With that decision made, she hurriedly stepped into her shoes.
The dispatcher said, “No, don’t do that.”
Ignoring the order, Joey slipped out the door and kept as close to the trees as she could. When she heard glass shatter, she thought her heart might pop from her chest. “Something broke,” she whispered. “I think a window. He’s trying to get into the cabin where I was staying. I’m putting the phone in my pocket.”
“Listen to me–”
She tucked the phone in her back pocket upside down so the microphone would still be exposed.
Creeping closer, she saw Ted on the porch of the tiny cabin she and Ryder had used.Thank God Ryder isn’t here. Using a rock, Ted broke the remaining glass in the window frame.
Beyond him, coming from the gate, Hendrix asked, “Looking for something?”
Ted jerked away from the window so quickly, he inadvertently cut his arm. Cursing a blue streak, he gripped a hand around the wound as he stared at Hendrix. “Who the fuck are you?”
“This is my campground. You’re trespassing, and that’s my property you’re destroying.”
“Go fuck yourself. I’m looking for my wife.”
As if he hadn’t spoken, Hendrix said, “You’re racking up some serious charges. Criminal trespass, criminal mischief, and attempted burglary just to start. Those windows aren’t cheap, so I hope you have a job.” When Ted glared at him, Hendrix grinned. “No? Why am I not surprised?”
Hitching his chin, Ted said, “You act like you know me.”
