Cut and Run(87)

“It’s been thirty years since those women on the ranch died. Assuming Garnet doesn’t have another burial ground, he sat dormant for thirty years. Why pick this up again?”

“Peter Slater died three months ago. Maybe whatever deal he had ended, and he didn’t like it.”

“So he decides to kill the players in the original crimes?”

“Possible. Or maybe he saw it as a chance to blackmail money out of the firm or family. What I do know is that we’ve got a clock on us, Brogan. Paige doesn’t have a lot of time, and Faith is not going to wait long for us.”



Paige rocked back and forth, wrapping her hands around her belly as it cramped and twisted. The pains were getting closer together, and she was finding it hard not to panic. When this latest round finally released its grip on her, she crawled over and looked at the girl.

Kat’s body was so still that for a moment she thought she was dead. She poked Kat in the arm, but she didn’t move. A hard pinch to the back of her hand brought a slight moan.

She wasn’t dead. Which Paige supposed was good in the short term, but when she woke up and realized where she was now being held, she just might wish she were dead.

Another contraction grabbed Paige, stealing her breath. She was forced to retreat to her fetal position as she waited out this latest wave. When it passed, she kicked the girl in frustration. “You’ve got to wake up! He’s going to kill us if we don’t figure this out!”

The girl sucked in a breath and opened her eyes. She looked around, startled, and her fists were clenched as if she was ready to fight. She staggered to her feet but fell back against the cot as her legs gave out from under her. “What the hell is going on?”

A contraction twisted Paige’s belly, forcing her to pause before she could speak. “I wish I knew.”

Kat turned to the door. She pounded on it with her fist and started screaming.

“It won’t do any good,” Paige said. “I screamed for days when I first got here. No one ever came.”

Kat darted around the room looking for any way out. She was petrified and for good reason.

“You’re going to have to pull yourself together. Otherwise we’re both dead. That’s the only thing I’m sure of right now,” Paige said.

Kat took a deep breath and slowly sat down next to Paige. “I’m listening.”

“Garnet brought me here. I know we’re in Austin.”

“Who the hell is Garnet?”

“His full name is Danny Garnet. He owns the Second Chances bar.”

“Was that Garnet who was just here?”

“No.”

Kat blinked and shook her head. The drugs were wearing off. “I’ve heard that name before.”

“He’s very charming. Evil,” Paige offered.

Kat narrowed her eyes. “You’re Paige!”

“You know me?”

“I saw your picture. Everybody thought you ran away.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “I thought I had all the answers. I was so stupid.”

Just that moment, the door slowly swung open. Neither girl had heard footsteps or voices. It was just open. The one prayer Paige had been asking for was answered.

Paige felt another contraction and closed her eyes, breathing in and out as she’d seen on a television show once. Finally when she could take a deep breath, she said, “I can’t leave. Get help.”

Kat stood, and after looking at Paige and ticking through her options, she pushed through the door and vanished into the hallway.



Faith saw the flicker of movement in front of the large glass window and realized it was Kat. She shut off her car and got out, locking it behind her. A part of her was annoyed with the kid for giving her such a scare. What the hell was she doing out here?

When the front door opened, Faith was halfway up the walkway. She saw immediately that something was wrong as the girl wobbled and dropped to her knees.

Faith raced up and knelt beside her, immediately searching for injuries. “Kat!”

“There’s a girl.” Kat gripped Faith’s arm. “She’s in the basement. Her baby is coming right now.”

Satisfied Kat wasn’t bleeding or injured, Faith helped her to her feet. Relief and fear collided as Faith struggled to keep her voice steady. “Can you make it to my car? It’s parked across the street.”

“I think so.”

“Sit in the car and lock the doors.”

“What’s going on?” Kat asked. “This is so messed up.”

Faith heard the girl’s screams coming from the basement. She pressed her keys into Kat’s hands and pushed her out the front door. “No questions. Don’t come back into the house.”

Kat nodded and then took a couple of halting steps forward, gripping the keys as she staggered toward Faith’s car.

Faith followed the sounds of the screams through the house into a kitchen and down a flight of stairs. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the darkness. She followed the hallway toward the light that streamed out of the door. Faith ran to the open door and found Paige Sheldon lying on her back. She was drenched in sweat and gripping her belly. Panic radiated from her eyes.

Faith ran to her side. She then spotted the chain. Jesus. Hayden couldn’t get here fast enough.