What Have We Done (66)

Still holding her neck, he says, “You’re going to get in the back and do what I say.”

Casey nods. She sees her skirt is hiked up, but the fishnets are still on, like she regained consciousness sooner than the trucker expected. He releases his hold on her neck, shows her a large hunting knife.

“I’ll do whatever you want. Just don’t hurt me.”

“Get back there and take off your clothes. If you scream, I won’t hesitate to use this.” He raises the knife. The long blade is smudged with dirt or maybe blood that’s gone brown.

Casey’s heart is beating, adrenaline flowing. Her face feels sunburned, tender.

She climbs into the cabin behind the front seats, which is separated by a curtain. In the back, there’s a mattress. Then she notices the handcuffs. The jug of lubricant. The sex toys.

She takes off her tank top, baring her breasts.

The trucker appears excited, but he makes himself look out the windshield checking the lot before climbing in back with her.

He grabs her by the neck with one hand again, looks her in the eyes.

She gently puts a hand on his. “You don’t have to be rough. Slow down. Let’s do this right.”

But his grip doesn’t loosen. He doesn’t have to be rough; he wants to be rough.

He removes his hand and starts unbuttoning his pants. It’s then that Casey removes her skirt, taking the lipstick stun gun from the pocket and putting it on top of her pile of clothes as if it fell out.

Chet’s about to pounce.

Casey pushes herself back against the wall, spreads her legs. While he’s distracted by that, she palms the lipstick, untwists the cap with one hand.

He’s crawling toward her, breathing heavily. She startles when he jumps on top of her. As he’s about to violate her, she jams the stun into his neck. She triggers the device, struggling out from under him. She holds it against his neck as Chet sputters, spasms, and collapses, incapacitated now. Casey’s eyes land on the hunting knife that he left within easy reach.

She scolds herself for being fooled. For thinking of letting him go. Lesson learned: Show no mercy.

He’s motionless but she gives him another three million volts, just to be sure. He vibrates like a man on the electric chair, then goes still again.

Naked from the waist down, he moans, drool bubbling at the corner of his mouth.

Still naked herself, Casey places the stun gun directly on his cock.

“I know you didn’t want me to make any noise,” she says, looking him straight in his widening eyes. “But I’m fine if you want to scream.”

CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR

NICO

Nico shushes Jenna as he watches the local newscast on the hotel room’s television. On the screen is a photo of Ben Wood in his black robe, looking dashing and distinguished.

“There’ve been new developments in the murder of a prominent Philadelphia federal judge. The primary suspect in the murder, Damon Angelos, was released due to insufficient evidence. Angelos, who had threatened Judge Wood during his sentencing in an unrelated case nearly a decade ago, was arrested shortly after Judge Wood’s body was found in Delaware County. A spokesperson for the Philadelphia Police Department has declined to comment other than to say that Mr. Angelos is no longer a suspect.”

Jenna says, “The hit woman’s frame-up apparently didn’t stick.”

The newscaster continues, “Angelos’s release comes on the heels of another development in the case. Police released video footage of Judge Wood the day before his body was found in an industrial area of Chestertown.”

An image of Ben paying for gas and a bottled water at a gas station appears on the screen. “The judge was caught on the security camera at a gas station in Chestertown, ending speculation that he had been carjacked and taken there.”

The screen flips to another image of Ben, this time in a building lined with bookshelves. “That same afternoon, the judge was captured on video at the Chestertown community library. Police are asking anyone who may have seen Judge Wood that day or has any additional information to contact them at the number on your screen.”

Nico considers this. Why the library? Ben used to spend a lot of time there, but why now? He pictures Ben lugging an armful of books into his room at Savior House. Then it hits him: “Boo Radley,” he says, aloud.

Jenna gives him a quizzical look.

“Ben’s law clerk gave Donnie a message from him.” Nico stops. “Ben referenced a character from a book. She said, ‘The proof is with Boo Radley.’”

“From To Kill a Mockingbird?” Jenna says.

Nico thinks so, nods. “He gives a message about some book after he was at a library.…”

“Maybe he left something hidden in the book or something?” Jenna says, as if thinking aloud.

“It can’t hurt to check it out.”

Jenna doesn’t answer but instead grabs the motorcycle helmet and charges outside, Nico on her heels.

CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE

Nico’s holding on to Jenna’s waist as she races the motorcycle through the streets of Chestertown.

She chivalrously offered him the helmet and he didn’t refuse. Her hair flows in the wind like she’s some kind of superhero. She kind of is, he thinks. And he’s glad she’s here. She inspires confidence.

He doesn’t know what happened to her—where life took her after Savior House. Perhaps it was the military or some other field training, since she seems unflappable. She has mentioned her family, but she’s otherwise been vague about her past.