“Smith was probably there too.” Reid slammed his fist into the table and cringed from the pain. “So he has the money, and we have no way of finding them.”
“But we do, my friend, we do.” Jack grinned.
“What? How?”
“When Megan asked to have the money delivered to a Starbucks, the accountant figured the FBI wasn’t involved anymore. So he put an Apple Air Tag in the bottom of the bag. We’re tracking her as we speak.”
Reid jumped to his feet. “So we’ll be able to find her.”
Jack nodded, but his pained expression immediately burst Reid’s bubble.
The Air Tag would soon give them Megan’s location, but with the money delivered to Smith, he no longer had a reason to keep Megan alive.
25
Megan’s blood froze. Smith was driving toward Mill Creek Falls, just northeast of the city. He had his money, and he was taking her out there to kill her and dispose of her body in one of the many secluded areas.
Their route had taken over an hour, passing Lost Creek Lake with the Rogue River running alongside them. All of it was so beautiful in the pristine snow, and yet she didn’t enjoy the scenery. Instead, she pondered her fate. The falls. She’d never been there but could easily imagine a quick shove, and she’d drop into icy cold water, plunging to her death to boulders below.
He pulled into the parking area for the steep falls she suspected she would soon be splashing down with a fierce intensity, and her breath caught in her throat.
This was it. Her death was imminent.
“Okay.” He held out his cell, his thumb ready to tap send without hesitation. “Let’s do this.”
“And what exactly isthis?” Her voice trembled.
He laughed and exited the car without answering.
As she waited for him to open her door, she looked at the single car in the lot. The beautiful tourist area was nearly deserted in this weather. People were home sledding. Making snowmen. Playing in the snow and then heading inside for a cup of hot cocoa. Not visiting a nearly frozen falls with giant icicles dangling alongside.
She climbed out, and the howling wind hit her hard. She wrapped her arms around her body and wished for a coat. Maybe someone would see her and wonder why she wasn’t wearing one. Maybe stop and talk to them.
“Go. Follow the path.” He shoved her forward.
She trudged ahead, dragging her feet through the snow in the parking lot toward a wide, flat path. He prodded her as if she were a lumbering cow up the path that gently wound higher.
They crested the hill. The waterfall roared in all its majesty on the other side of the river but a cavernous ravine opened in front of her. So he couldn’t push her into the falls, but he could push her to a certain death. She stopped but Smith shoved her ahead.
How many times as a child had her mother warned her on trails like this one to hug the hillside? She’d always tempted fate and crept toward the edge to peer down, only to be jerked back by her mother and scolded. How she wished her mother was here today to protect her, but only a miracle could keep her alive now.
A miracle from a God who she was certain had turned away from her.
Reid didn’t seem to think God had left her. But then, Reid had also bailed on her. How could she trust his judgment?
She looked around.
The scenery was breathtaking. Vivid green foliage peeking through the snow, crystal-clear water running free. God’s country, her mom liked to say. She claimed it was proof that a God big enough to create such a wondrous display was plenty big enough to have a plan for their lives as well, and it was pure foolishness to try to do things on our own.
As Reid had said, no matter God’s way or His method, He was here watching over her with a plan.
Tears pricked her eyes, and she bowed her head.
Forgive me for turning from You. Forgive me for questioning Your every move. And I know whatever You have planned for me is what needs to happen. Help me to trust You, and help me to do the right thing now to save my precious child.
“Keep moving,” Smith sniped from behind and gave her a shove.
She stumbled and fell to her knees, the cold snow biting through her clothing. No matter. This was the opportunity she needed. She grabbed an ankle and rocked back and forth, pretending injury. He couldn’t expect her to climb the path with an injured leg.
