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The screens returned just in time for Lydia to witness Ivy taunt the crazed murderer posing as Bill Barnaby. Ines screeched first and started praying afterward.
“What is that girl doing?” Gus’ voice rattled down the stairs.
“Your job,” Lydia left the game room and hurried through the front door. Marshal Teller hurled past Gus, down the stairs.
“Come on,” he hollered to Gus.
“Parker, go to Grant and Ines.” Gus relayed his own orders as he rushed behind the marshal.
“You mean, Ines.” Gus looked back. The screen hosted only one Justice.
“Why don’t people stay where they’re told?”
Lydia crossed the porch in time to see Ivy disappear behind an old garden shed. Jake trailed, followed closely by Grant. Lydia switched courses and slid into her smart car. Gus ran around the corner chasing Marshal Teller.
✽✽✽
Ivy looked over her shoulder as she aimed her run to the only hiding place she saw- an old abandoned barn. Jake was closing in. Ivy wasn’t sure what to do next. She firmly believed that help was on the way but all she saw was the angry face of Jake Cloverdale.
He was livid. Being found out by Ines and then revealed to Ivy and whoever else was listening broke his facade. He wasn’t even pretending to be meek and marvelous Bill Barnaby. He was Jake, the deceptive murderer and he was guilty of killing his own twin.
One more look back and Ivy missed seeing the huge mud pit in front of her. She plummeted to the ground. The backsplash of mud startled her but not as much as Jake Cloverdale jerking her up by the back of her shirt. The collar ripped a fabric burn across her throat.
Ivy swung her arms and kicked her feet. She wasn’t going to surrender. Not this time. Voices from her memories flooded her as Jake tossed her back to the mud.
He cursed in pain. Ivy flipped onto her back. She swiped mud out of her eyes. Grant was there welding the instant hot tea kettle. It sloshed with water as it smacked Jake on the back.
Grant slipped in the mud and joined Ivy on the ground. “Get up!” She shouted at him and yanked him to his feet. Ivy charged toward her original destination. The emphasis of the feet falling behind her told her it wasn’t Grant who drew closer but Jake. She wasn’t going to risk looking back again. “Please God, help me.”
Grant’s newly nasally voice screeched out to her. “Help is on the way, Ivy. Keep running!” A whoosh of relief flooded down Ivy’s back, empowering her to push further and run faster.
✽✽✽
“Keep her safe,” Lydia prayed as she started her smart car. Fishtailing on the gravel drive and then on the rain-drenched grass, the tiny vehicle jostled Lydia around. She passed the running officers, her sights set on Jake Cloverdale.
His chest was covered in mud. His eyes were fierce and violent. If he caught up to Ivy, he wasn’t going to leave her breathing. It didn’t matter if the authorities were right behind him. Jake was insane with rage. He was taking at least one more person down with him.
“Jesus, help me.” Lydia breathed deeply and accelerated. She decreased speed only slightly as she cracked the wheel to the right and nicked Jake with the bumper of her car. Jake’s scream didn’t reflect pain but fury. The fireproof case flew into the air and crashed into Lydia’s windshield.
Lydia slammed on the brakes. She sat panting in the front seat.
Gus threw his hands up into the air as he passed her. He mouthed “What were you thinking?” at the sheriff’s wife and kept running after Ivy.
Marshal Teller stopped beside Jake. He offered a thumb up to the bewildered driver.