This Fallen Prey (Rockton #3)(38)

Val stops.

“That is misguided,” Mathias says. “That bitch was the one keeping you alive. The one who was injured trying to save you from a lynch mob. The one attempting to determine whether or not you were guilty of your crimes. I suppose now she has her answer.”

“I’m not guilty. I—” He stops, unfortunately, as if realizing he’s about to go into a rant that could distract him. He settles for, “Damn you. Damn you all.”

“Valerie?” Mathias says. “The gun please.”

“Give it to me,” Brady says.

Mathias chuckles. “Speaking of misguided . . .”

“I just want to get out of here,” Brady says. “Either I take Casey as my prisoner, or I take the gun. Your choice.”

“Take Casey,” Mathias says. “Please. That will go so much better for you.”

Brady scowls at Mathias. “Shut up, old man. I know it’s a fucking strain for you, but shut the hell up.” He looks at Val. “I don’t want to take your detective. I know she fights to win. She will not come quietly, and I’ll have to kill her. I do not want to do that. I just want to leave. Push the gun into the middle of the floor. To get to it, I’ll have to let her go.”

Val looks at me.

“No,” I say.

Mathias echoes it. Diana says nothing, as she looks anxiously from me to Brady.

“Just give the gun a push,” Brady says to Val. “If I get it, I’ll walk away. If anyone else goes for it, we’ll be right back here again, and I won’t get out of this goddamned town without killing someone. Let me leave. Please just let me leave.”

Val takes a deep breath. I can see her steeling herself. Then she exhales and pushes the gun into the middle of the room.

“Count of three,” he says. “I’ll let Casey go. No one moves.”

He counts down. At two, he lunges for the gun. I can tell I have no chance of getting it, so I dive for the knife instead and come out in a roll. I leap to my feet, holding the knife. Brady is already across the room with the gun.

“Yeah,” he says. “Don’t even bother, Detective. Now, Val? I need you to come over here.”

“No,” I say. “She did what you asked, Oliver. You have the gun. We’ll escort you to the edge of the forest. Then you’re on your own.”

Except he’s not on his own. Never has been. Someone in this town betrayed us, and the knife in my hand tells me who that is, but I don’t want to believe it.

Forget that for now. Focus on this.

Brady shakes his head. “I don’t trust you.”

“Then you are a fool,” Mathias says. “Casey stopped that cretin from lynching you. Eric took a bullet for you. William pumped the poison from your stomach. These are not your enemies.”

“Right now, they are. They won’t let me walk away. They only want me to think I’m home free, so they can come after me the moment I turn my back. I need a guarantee. Val will come with me. If no one follows, I’ll leave her at the spot where the sheriff got shot. If I hear anyone in pursuit, I’ll have to shoot Val. Otherwise, she’s yours. I just need a head start.”

“And you expect us to believe that?” I say. “You told us that all you wanted was the gun. You lied.”

“All I want is the gun. I’m borrowing her. You’ll get her back. Now come over here with me, Val.”

“Don’t,” I say. “We can’t trust him.”

“I’m going to count down now. Walk toward me, or I shoot.”

I discreetly motion for Val to stay where she is. The moment he begins counting, I’ll charge. I’m far enough to the side that it’ll take him a moment to realize it. I will charge, and Mathias will get Diana and Val out and shut that door. That’s all we need. I can handle Brady.

“Three.”

I charge. Brady fires. I dive and the bullet hits the wall behind me. When I roll up, Val is walking toward Brady.

“Val, no,” I say.

“I have to,” she says. “I can do this. I’ll be fine.”

The gun swings in my direction.

“Val made her choice,” Brady says. “The smart choice. If no one comes after me, I’ll leave her at the spot where Greg’s assassin shot your boyfriend. Give me one hour. She’ll be fine.”

Val reaches Brady. He has her turn around and raises the gun between her shoulder blades.

“Everyone step outside,” Brady says. “Do not test me. If you do, you’ll see exactly how desperate I am. Please. Just let me go.”

Mathias and Diana retreat. I back out of the building, one slow step at a time.





22





As I back through that door, I’m torn between wanting to see someone out there . . . and praying no one is. Dalton, yes. Anders, yes. Even some of the militia could be trusted to keep a level head and help me end this. Sam, Nicole, Jen, Kenny . . .

Kenny.

I squelch the reminder.

There is no one outside. Not everyone will be helping with the fire. We aren’t a town of saints or heroes. Given what we actually are—criminals and victims—it is a testament to Rockton that so many put aside fear and self-interest to help. Those who have not, though, certainly aren’t going to come out now, as Brady steps onto the street with a gun at Val’s back.