Nick hoped George would just take the drive and leave. He’d even considered helping with the truck if it was really brokendown and not just a ruse. But George was clearly working through the logistics of cleanup. Cleanup meant eliminating the witnesses.
He glanced at Gina, expecting fear. It was there, but determination dominated her expression. Brooke stood beside her, steady, her features mirroring Gina’s.
“We won’t say anything,” Kelsey’s words tumbled out, her desperation a stark contrast to her friends’ composure. “I can’t afford to have any of this come out. The others won’t talk if I ask them not to.”
George studied her. “You really think it’s that simple? You think your friends here are going to just forget about today and move on with their lives?”
“Yes,” Kelsey said, but her voice lacked conviction.
“I don’t think so.” George shook his head. “Too many loose ends. Too many people who might decide to do the right thing and go to the police.”
“What are you saying?” Brooke asked.
“I’m saying that sometimes problems require permanent solutions.”
The casual way he said it raised the hair on the back of Nick’s neck. He shifted slightly, putting himself in a better position to reach the bear spray clearly visible in the outside pocket of Kelsey’s backpack. Gina had clued him in to it, made sure he saw it and knew she’d seen it too. But that was earlier, when she still trusted him. Now...
“You’re talking about murder,” Gina said flatly.
“I’m talking about risk management,” George corrected. “Five people are a lot of witnesses. Especially five people who already don’t trust each other.”
He was right about that part. The revelation about Kelsey had shattered whatever unity they’d managed to build.
Nick could see it in the way Joe kept glancing at the door, in Brooke’s defensive posture, in Gina’s wary looks. The one good thing was that Gina and Brooke seemed united. The way they stood together, fierce and unflinching, gave him a sliver of hope.
Gina might not trust him, but Brooke did. Nick was certain of that. No matter the mistakes he’d made over the years, Brooke would know he could be counted on. Maybe she’d even make sure Gina knew it too.
If she could, the three of them might be able to work together to disarm George. Maybe Joe would help as well. And if that happened, they might actually have a chance of getting out alive.
“We need to stick together,” Nick said quietly.
“Do we?” George asked with amusement. “Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like you’re all ready to throw each other under the bus.”
“That’s not true,” Gina said, but her voice was uncertain.
“Isn’t it? Your friend Kelsey here has been lying to you for months. Using your little running group as a cover for criminal activity. Putting all of you at risk.” George’s smile was predatory. “And Nick, well, he’s practically a stranger. How do you know he’s not involved in this somehow?”
Nick felt the accusation land like a punch. “I’m not involved in anything.”
“Says the guy who just happened to show up for this particular run,” George pointed out. “Convenient timing.”
“I told you, I came because Brooke asked me to.”
“Did she? Or did someone else suggest you’d be a good addition to the group?”
The seed of doubt George was trying to plant was obvious, but Nick could see it working anyway. Joe was looking at him with suspicion now.
Gina also shot him a look. It was quick, but it was there—a look that said she agreed wholeheartedly with George. So much for her thinking that if Brooke trusted him, so would Gina.
He glanced at Brooke. She seemed to be purposely avoiding his gaze.
“Nobody suggested anything,” Nick said. “I’m here because I needed to get out of the house.”
“Right. The unemployed drifter story.” George nodded. “Very believable.”
Nick wanted to defend himself, to explain that he’d had a stable life until recently, that his current situation was temporary. But what was the point? George was right about the facts, even if he was wrong about the implications.
But Brooke knew the truth. She’d step up any moment and defend him. And Kelsey was the one who was behind all of this; why wasn’t she insisting he had nothing to do with it?
