Before Will can reply, Veronica returns to the room. “I put it somewhere quiet.”
“Search his backpack for more.”
Veronica walks toward Will, and although he has nothing more hidden in his backpack, his instincts urge him to get her out of his way. He’ll still have five men to get through, but he’s more than willing to break bones on his way to safety.
Veronica watches the backpack at Will’s feet as she comes over. He uses the opportunity to send his fist toward the side of her head, but she sharply dodges.Before he can try again, her hand snaps forward, moving so fast that it takes him a second to register the sharp pain in his neck. He hits the bookcase, sending books flying down as he lands on his ass, heaving and coughing.
Veronica searches his backpack, as if he’s not fighting to breathe next to her.
“You sure know how to pick your help,” Hal tells the mayor.
“She’s been waiting to do that for a long time.”
“Clean,” Veronica says and throws his backpack aside. She then grabs one of the heavy books from the floor and smashes it against Will’s head.
He shouts and grabs his head, a bright storm of flashing lights washing over his vision. Through the ringing in his ears, he can hear the others laughing.
I have to get out of here.He has never been more sure of anything in his life. Every passing minute brings him closer to losing his freedom. He’s sure that the sheriff suspects something is off by now, but he might not react in time based on what he said earlier.I can’t have him knowing he’s in hot water, so I won’t hurry to send help unless I’m absolutely sure you’re in danger.
Veronica returns to stand next to the mayor, and Will uses the opportunity to push himself back to his feet, using the bookcase for support. He rubs his aching neck, not sure if he can speak.
“Bring him out back,” the mayor tells Veronica. “Let’smake this quick. I expect we’ll have more company soon.”
Veronica walks toward him, a glint in her eyes as if she’s itching for him to try something, but what other choice does he have?
He shoots his hand to grab the silvery letter opener from the desk. It’s cold in his palm, feeling too light to be a reliable weapon, though he only needs the pointy end of it.
He’s shocked when Veronica continues to advance as if he’s not a threat. He raises his hand.“Stay the fuck back!”
She tries to grab his hand, but this time he’s quicker, striking her face and cutting her cheek. She staggers back, holding her face as blood pours between her thin fingers.
Cold fear passes through Will as he sees the rage in Veronica’s eyes. He braces himself, ready to cut her again if she leaves him no choice. If they do manage to take him away, let the mayor explain to the police why there’s blood in his office with Will nowhere to be found.
“Keep her back, Ray! All of you, get the hell out of my way!”
“My men should be here any minute,” Hal says. “We need to take him out back, and then we need to clean this damn blood.”
“Veronica,” the mayor says impatiently, “we’ve hadenough of this.”
She lowers her hand. The cut isn’t deep, but the blood still flows, and Will is momentarily distracted by the gruesome sight. As if expecting he would be, Veronica lunges.
Will swings the letter opener, but she deflects his hand and smashes her fist at his chest. He stumbles back, grimacing in pain but still standing. Before she can hit him again, he grabs the side of her head and smashes it against the bookcase, causing books to hit the floor. The impact should be enough to take her down, but she only grunts in anger and slams her foot onto his, making him shout and let go of her head.
He stumbles back with his back against the wall, needing a second to think and to plan. The door is still blocked, all five men watching impatiently as Will is losing this fight.
“There’s no shame in giving up when you can’t win,” Hal says. “Put down that pointy toy and come peacefully.”
Peacefully?There’s no way in hell. A small gust of wind strokes his damp face. He tilts his head to the nearby window. There’s a small gap that allows air to flow through. If he could just open the window further and call for help, the two police officers in the street should be able to hear him.
With no other option he can think of, Will reaches for the window latch, still holding the letter opener inhis other hand. He barely manages to grab the latch before Veronica charges again. He expected that, so he’s ready to stab her the second she gets too close.
But she must have expected him to react like that. She grabs his wrist, and with one sharp movement, twists his hand toward his stomach.
The sharpest pain he’s ever felt pierces through him. He gasps and looks down to find the letter opener buried in his stomach. His shirt is already soaking with blood.
Veronica takes a step back, her eyes wide in surprise. The mayor comes closer. “You fool!”
“Fucking hell!” Hal shouts. “Doc, help him. I’ve no need for a damn corpse!”
