Chapter 20

He had looked everywhere. He swiped at the sweat dripping down his face. He was in big trouble, and no amount of thinking was going to get him out of this one. She was gone. How’d she get free? He knew he had tucked her in nice and tight. She’d hardly awakened the whole trip. Not even when he’d tied her to the chair. His heart was pounding as he ripped through the trailer, overturning furniture as he went. He kicked a pile of clothes, scattering them. Back outside, he looked in the lean-to, and the small outbuildings a second time, throwing things around. She was gone. Damn, damn. He hit the side of the trailer with his fist, staring out over the desert landscape, miles and miles of nothing but sand. He swatted at a fly buzzing around his head.

How long has she been gone? He cleared the clutter from the couch, throwing it onto the floor, and sat down. Jeez, this place stunk. He rested his head in his big hands. The medicine bottle stared at him from the table. When had he taken the last one? He rubbed his temple. He couldn’t remember. One, two, or ten days, what difference did it make? Grabbing the bottle, he counted the number of pills inside, but he still didn’t remember. He hated them. Each one of these little pills sucked his life away, making him woozy and sleepy. He didn’t need them, but everyone said he did. He unscrewed the lid and popped one in his mouth, swigging an open bottle of water from the table in front of him. It was warm and tasted awful.

She was probably dead somewhere out there in the damn desert. He had just killed someone to get back to her, and she wasn’t even here. What a mess. His boss would have his hide.

What would he tell him? Think, stupid, think. His phone rang, and he knew who it was without looking. He let it ring a few times and then answered.

“Mallory, what have you been doing? I’ve been trying to reach you for hours.”

“I was in town, doing what you told me to do. And then, my phone’s battery died, and I was just able to plug it in.” Quick thinking, he smiled.

“Have you been taking your meds? You know how you get if you don’t stay on them.”

“I just took one right before you called.” He had a silver tongue, yes, he did.

“How’s my girl? Is she there waiting for me? She’d better be fine, or you’re in trouble. I don’t want her hurt.”

“She’s okay, all safe and sound, right here, just like you wanted.” He was holding his own; the lies were rolling out like water. He grinned. Maybe these pills did work.

“Now you see, Bill, you don’t mind if I call you Bill, do you?”

“Not at all.” He sat up taller on the couch. He was ready for the next question. He didn’t like the way the boss had just called him Bill.

“I’m having a little problem with what you just told me.”

“Oh, yeah? Why is that?” Here it comes. His hand fisted.

“You see, I just heard the news the cops and some reporter found Adriana in the desert. You know the same reporter that you wanted to have for yourself?”

“You must have heard wrong.” A lightning bolt of fear ripped through him. “She’s here all right. Maybe it’s a trap to get you or keep you from your work.” He covered his ears as the cursing began. “I don’t know how she got away.” The words, bubbled out, treacherous tongue, betraying him. “I had her tied and gave her the pills just like you told me to. I don’t know how she got away.”

“The guys aren’t happy about the publicity. They weren’t supposed to know. It was our secret. Remember? You know what that means, don’t you?”

“You want the money back.” He scratched his head and wiped the sweat running down his cheek onto his sleeve.

“Screw the money. I’m going to kill the reporter. She’s what you wanted, right? Well now, she’s going to die because of you. That’s how it goes when you mess things up. And boy, did you mess it up. You know how it works. I don’t like messy situations or unanswered questions.”

“I would’ve had them both in my hands if your stupid magic tricks would’ve worked.”

“They’re not tricks. I can refresh your memory if you need me to. I’m in town working on our little project, and now I’m going to have to stop working and check on you. You’d better be there, or you’ll be the next one dead after the cop and the girl.”

“Don’t threaten me. I was smart enough to blackmail you, wasn’t I?” His voice rose. “If you ask me, you should be taking the pills, not me. You’re sick and twisted. The worst thing I ever did was to get to know you. I know where the bodies are buried, don’t forget.”

“You won’t talk. You’re too afraid of what I can do to you. You can complain all you want, but you have money sitting in your bank account because of me. If you want to keep it, don’t go anywhere. Stay where you are. You hear me?”

“I heard you.” He ended the call.

He looked around the trailer, his mind racing. Billy boy, it’s time to think. You can’t let them kill her. She’s yours. What are you going to do about it?

He stretched out on the couch, folding his hands behind his head. From the first time he’d seen her, with her hair blowing in the wind, with those killer legs, and interviewing that stupid Irwin, he’d fallen hard for her. She wouldn’t give a guy like him the time of day. But, he had a plan to make her love him. All he needed was the time to convince her. What was he going to do? He was resourceful and they were about to find out what he was capable of doing.