Clock

Nick glanced at the time. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. He couldn’t get to the forest fast enough. It didn’t help that he’d run into traffic on the way. There had been a multi-car collision in town and road construction on the two-lane highway, both putting him behind schedule. 

It was a race against the clock, and he was losing.

He checked his phone’s screen again. No new calls from Alex’s captor. Just some missed calls from Zoey. He’d get back to her once he could put Alex on the phone.

Nick sent up prayers that his delay hadn’t caused his friend’s death. If only the psychopath would call Nick and let him know what was going on. Was Alex still alive? Were they torturing him? Or just toying with Nick? Or some sick, twisted combination?

He glanced at the radar detector again. Nothing. His badge could get him out of most tickets, but he didn’t have time to play that game. Not now. Every second counted, or Alex could lose his life. If that happened, Nick could never forgive himself.

He glanced in the rearview mirror. The road was empty.

Trees replaced fields and farmland on the other side of the two-lane highway. The tall firs and pines grew thicker rather quickly. At last, Nick was in the woods. It wouldn’t be much longer before he reached his destination.

His pulse raced through his body. Could he get there in time? 

What would happen if he did? Would the criminal with the mechanical voice try to turn the situation around on Nick and attempt to make him a victim as well?

If that was the plan, he would be seriously disappointed. Nick was ready with extra weapons on himself. He had the best quality bulletproof vest wrapped tightly around his chest and torso.

Nick was prepared. There was only one way things would end—he and Alex would both walk away with their lives. No other options existed. None of their kids would wake up fatherless the next morning. 

He would see to that.

Nick checked his phone’s screen. No missed calls or texts from the captors. Zoey had continued to call him. There was no way he could let her know what was going on. Not yet. She would either freak out or want to join him, or both.

No, it was better to let her think he was just too busy to answer. That was the case.

He clenched the steering wheel and pushed the gas a little harder. Now he was going more than twenty over. He needed to be careful—speed limits were put in place for a reason, and he didn’t want to wreck the car or risk hurting anyone. The situation was already far more dangerous than it needed to be.

Nick kept his gaze on the road, careful to stay in his lane as the road curved and weaved up the mountain. 

A deer jumped out about twenty yards ahead of him. He slammed on the brakes. The animal stopped and stared into the headlights.

The Mustang’s tires squealed and the car skidded into the other lane. He turned the steering wheel, barely managing to get back into his lane. The car stopped only a foot or two away from the animal, who still stared at him. 

The look in its eyes shot chills through Nick. 

“Go! Move!” He blared the horn.

Finally, the deer reacted. He jumped and leaped across the road, disappearing into the trees.

Nick’s heart raced so fast, he feared passing out. He took several deep breaths. 

Headlights shone behind him, curving around the corner.

He hit the gas and forced the car to go as fast as he could make it. The vehicle behind him was approaching too quickly. Thankfully, the Mustang was a fine machine—one Nick had worked on personally for countless hours. It picked up speed, and he shot ahead of the other car, leaving it in the dust.

The headlights disappeared from sight.

Nick shook as he continued down the highway. He drew in deep breaths and focused on the road until he calmed down.

It wasn’t much farther until he reached his destination. 

His phone’s screen lit up. Nick glanced down. It was Zoey again. She would only keep calling if he didn’t talk to her.

Nick pressed the speaker. “Zoey, I can’t really talk right now.”

“What’s going on?” she demanded.

“I’m on a case.”

“I’ve been trying to get ahold of you. You called me. Why?”

“Just calling to see how you’re doing. Nothing new to report.”

“Oh.” The disappointment was evident in her voice. “Do you know anything about Alex’s case?”

“Nobody’s reporting to me about it anymore. Sorry. I’ll call you later. Now isn’t a good time.”

“Okay.” She sighed.

“Wish I could tell you more. Really do.” He ended the call, hating to leave her out of the loop, but it was for the best. 

Nick looked in the rearview mirror. No cars were behind him. He turned his attention back to the road in front of him. Then he slammed the breaks, skidding and barely missing the wrecked car in front of him.

A smashed-in sedan lay on its roof, half on the road and half off. Heart thundering, Nick pulled over as best he could, but there wasn’t much room.

He readied his gun, grabbed his phone, and stepped out of the Mustang, ready to shoot. How many times were accidents fake, ready to abduct or kill someone? Far too often, and especially when Alex’s captors knew he was coming he wasn’t taking any chances.

Holding his breath, he listened. All was quiet. Too quiet, but that could be because he wasn’t used to being in the middle of the forest. He kept his finger on the trigger and crept toward the car. The only light came from his headlights.

Nobody was in the front. Definitely suspicious.

He walked around, not seeing anyone in the back, either. Though those windows were tinted. Nick reached for his radio to call in the accident.

“Stop!”

He froze in place, glancing around for the source of the masculine, non-machine voice. “Who’s there?”

“You won’t be the one asking questions. Put the gun down.”

“Show yourself first.”

“Put the gun down.”

Nick gritted his teeth. “Do you have Alex?”

“Let me go!” That sounded like Alex.

“Release him,” Nick demanded.

“Drop the gun!”

Nick spread out his fingers, allowing the weapon to slide upside down. “I’m putting it down.” He bent down and set it on the ground. “See? It’s down.”

“Your other one. Cops always have a spare.”

Nick grumbled. “Guess you’re smarter than I thought.” He reached down and removed the hidden one from his ankle. “Putting my last one on the ground, too.” He rose, holding both hands in the air.

Silence.

“Is somebody there?” Nick demanded.

“Hey, I said I’ll be asking the questions here.”

“Then show yourself.”

“I’m not taking demands from you.”

“Okay.” Nick waited. Then he waited some more.

Finally, the man showed himself. He wore a ratty leather jacket and aimed a rifle at Nick.

“Where’s Alex?”

The man laughed.

“What’s so funny?”

He held up a phone.

“He’s on the phone?”

“No.” He laughed again, then he glared at Nick. “It was a recording. Come with me.”

Nick glanced around and then stepped toward the man. “I’ll do what you want. Just don’t hurt Alex.”

The jerk laughed again. “Too late for that.”

“You’ve killed him?” Nick reached for a smaller gun he’d hidden in his jacket.

“Keep your hands up.” He shoved the rifle toward Nick. “I said he’s hurt, not dead. Now hurry up. We have a long walk ahead of us.”