The local police had put an officer on duty twenty-four/seven at the treatment plant and another one at the water tower for a potential in-person threat. She and the team believed he’d already been to either the plant or the water tower, and the biological agent was in place. But they’d failed to find it, and the threat was going to be released electronically from a distance.
Still, she would go. Meet the killer. Because Kane would outwit the local officials. He was cunning. Seeming even more so these days. What good would it do her to save her own life only to be plagued for the rest of her days over the loss of a life that she could’ve prevented?
None. No good at all.
She peeked out the door into the living room. Spotted Colin on the sofa. His head was back, his eyes closed. Had he fallen asleep? Could it be that easy for her to leave? She would be shocked if he was asleep, but he had to be exhausted. He’d stayed up the night before to stand watch for her and had worked very late the night before that.
She eased back into the room. Sent a message to Kane telling him she would try to sneak out now, and she would meet him at a parking lot a few miles away that he’d requested.
His immediate reply came in.
Don’t bring a phone or any electronic device or a weapon. Come alone. Anyone comes with you and they will die on the spot.
19
Brooklyn hopped off the bus and stepped into the unlit parking lot. The stars and moon had ducked and run under heavy clouds, leaving the space dark and gloomy. But then, what had she expected from a closed-down strip mall? Not lights, but maybe a street light? No such luck, of course. Things had not gone her way so far with Kane. Why start now?
She was beginning to think God had turned His back on her. In her situation, that was easy to believe. It was much harder to believe that a loving God was still there walking alongside her and yet allowing all the problems, stress, and suffering in her life. He had a purpose for it, she just didn’t have a clue what that purpose was yet. Might never know. But it was only human to want to know.
On the far side of the lot, the powerful engine on a taller-than-normal pickup truck rumbled to life, and the truck rolled her way, lights out. As it crunched over the crumbling asphalt, the lights flashed on, blinding her.
She was a sitting duck right now. Couldn’t see. Could be run over and flattened by the giant tires. Colin would be so mad at her for coming here, but she couldn’t let helpless people suffer.Die. Hundreds. Maybe more lose their lives all so she could live. No. That was the one thing she was certain of. She couldn’t live with herself if she allowed that to happen.
The truck stopped. The engine revved. The wheels jerked forward a few feet. Brakes slammed on. Repeated. Another time.
Okay, he was playing chicken with her. Trying to scare her. She wouldn’t falter. She planted her feet and resisted shouting at him and calling him a coward for not exiting the vehicle.
The truck roared a few feet closer. Brakes squealed, and it jerked to a stop. It rocked and rocked on the heavy-duty suspension, but then it finally stilled, and the door opened.
A man unfolded his body and stood on the running board. “Step over here, and turn your back to me.”
She didn’t want to do as asked, but she knew he would want to search her for that phone he’d told her not to bring and any other electronic tracking device or weapon. She took her time though, as if she had a semblance of control left.
As she passed, she hoped for a good look at him to see if he changed or if she’d missed seeing the monster that he was, but the darkness shrouded his face. Oh, well. There was plenty of time for that when she had enough light to take in the nuances of a madman.
His footsteps as he plopped down onto the parking lot from the truck sounded in her ears.
“Arms out,” he said, his voice deeper than she remembered. He was probably trying to sound like a tough guy to scare her.
She lifted her arms and gritted her teeth.
He ran his hands over her as if he had a right to touch her wherever he wanted. She clamped down tighter on her teeth. To endure the embarrassment, she thought about her family’s uncontaminated drinking water and their safety.
“Good. You listened,” he said. “Didn’t bring a phone or gun. I figured you would try to get away with something. Now get in the truck.”
“No. I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Suit yourself.” His steps sounded as he landed on the running board. “I’ll just get that program started to flood the drinking water with poisons.”
And he would—and could—kick off such a program from his phone. He could easily have designed an app or easily connected to his system via the internet.
She couldn’t call his bluff. “Wait. I’ll get in.”
Keeping her eyes downcast to protect them against the light, she marched around the front of the vehicle until she reached the side of the truck. A monstrous vehicle. Perfect choice for a monster. The tires came to her waist. She had to go up on tiptoes and stretch to reach the door handle. After opening it and releasing the overpowering odor of marijuana from the cab, she climbed onto the running board to get in.
If the strong smell of pot didn’t make her hurl, she suspected her first look at Kane would have her tossing her dinner to the floor.
She swiveled on the seat. Took a long look. Blinked. Blinked again. The man sitting behind the wheel didn’t have Kane’s blond, almost white, hair or piercing blue eyes that she’d once somehow seen warmth in.
