He held up his first two fingers. “Scout’s honor.”
“Don’t make me regret doing this.” Russ flipped off the dome light. “Now, get going, but be careful.”
Ryan slipped silently from the car and duckwalked into the cover of the woods bordering the drive. He held in place, waiting for Russ to depart. The moon cast a bright light over the house but the trees blocked it in the woods. The wind blew softly over his face and moved the bushes and grasses in the undergrowth in gentle waves of greenery.
He listened for any sound coming from inside the cabin.
What would he find in there? Would Pope hurt Mia now that he thought Russ would get him what he wanted?
Please don’t make this a repeat of Cara!
His old friend—panic—tried to take his breath.No. No. He was capable. He could save them. Had to save them. He could do this. But not alone.
His words to Mia,trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, reverberated through his brain.
He was something else. Telling Mia to live by these words, but not following them himself.
Russ’s car retreated up the drive. Ryan lifted his head.
I don’t know why this is happening. Keep Mia and Jessie safe. Help me to trust that You will keep them alive.
Confident now, Ryan eased out of his space. He came to a running crouch and headed for whatever danger he would face in the cabin.
28
Mia slid down the wall next to Jessie at Pope’s order. He’d lined the four of them up like sitting ducks against the living room wall, and that’s just what she felt like. He stood at the window, his body odor from half-moons of perspiration under his arms fouling the air. He lifted the slats on the window blinds and took a long look. He glanced back at them, his eyes wild and rimmed in red.
He was losing control. Mia had to come up with a plan on how to get these kids out of there safely. But how? She was in over her head. Only an act of God could save them. If Ryan were here, he’d pray. Maybe it was time she tried it too. What could it hurt if she did?
Okay, God. We haven’t talked in a long time. Things have been going kind of badly lately, but You know that. I was wondering if You might help me here. I know I don’t deserve anything with how I’ve acted toward You, but Jessie, Eddie, and Nikki need You. Please show us a safe way to escape. And please, please don’t let Chuck die.
A loud peal of laughter snapped her eyes open. Pope stared at her, his mouth cracked in a sneer above a nonexistent chin covered with gray whiskers. His glazed eyes held what she thought was the joy of inflicting terror on the innocent. He was going to hurt them for sure and enjoy every second of it.
A car’s engine rumbled in the distance. Help?
No. The sound receded. It was Russ leaving just as Pope had commanded.
The lunatic had won.
He whipped his face toward the window. “That’s better. The sheriff has turned tail and run.” He cackled as he crossed the room and sat facing them in an easy chair, his handgun on his knee. “Thanks for leading me here, Mia. Looks like things might work out just fine. I knew if I watched you, you’d bring me straight to little Jessie.”
His sickly fond tone when he said Jessie’s name crept along Mia’s nerves and rage blossomed in her chest. Rage at a level she’d never known. It urged her to move. To lunge for his throat. It ate at her whole being.
She couldn’t take action. Not now. Not with the gun on his lap. That would be foolhardy.
She planted her feet hard on the floor. She had to keep calm. Play his game. Find a way to manipulate him exactly as he thought he was doing to her. She could get him talking about what he’d done, and he’d get cocky. Relax. Give her an opening.
She swallowed her anger. Put on a neutral face. “Why are you doing this, Pope?”
He arched an eyebrow sending wrinkles over his shaved scalp. “Thought a smart girl like you would have it all figured out by now.”
“You’re too good, I guess.” She lightened her tone to keep him talking. “I owe you big time for that smash on my head when you plowed into me while I was holding the camera.”
He smirked. “You thought you were so smart. Didn’t count on me outwitting you, did ya? All I had to do was close my eyes like you were doing.”
His confidence sent a flare of anger blazing inside her. She wanted to leap across the room and claw at his smug smile.
Count to ten. Blow off his snide comments. Refocus.
