Hour of Need (Scarlet Falls #1)(94)

My body goes into full flight mode. I have no control over it. I am twisting and kicking and pulling away from the boys’ attempts to get ahold of my legs. The log wobbles more.

“Hold still, stupid,” Regan yells, grabbing my legs. “Or you really will die.”

My knee catches her under the chin. I hear her teeth clap together. She falls back with a loud grunt.

“Cut her down,” one of the boys yells.

“You said it was only a joke,” the other boy chimes in. “You said we wouldn’t really hurt her.”

“We won’t. OK. OK. Get her down.” Autumn giggles, but her voice rises with apprehension. “I have enough footage.”

Regan moves toward me, a knife in her hand.

But my feet slip. The log tips over, something cracks, and I fall into darkness.





Chapter Thirty-Six


Grant’s stomach turned as he watched Lindsay Hamilton’s feet sway. The video shifted to the dirt.

“Oh, my God. She’s dead!” someone shrieked.

“What should we do, Regan?” a voice asked. “We need to get out of here. We need an alibi.”

“Shut up. No one will suspect anything other than a real suicide.” She paused, as if considering her options. “We’ll call Victor. He’ll come get us and cover for us.” This voice was calm. Other than a slight tremor, the only emotion seeping through her tone was irritation.

“He won’t cover for us.”

“Unless he wants to go to prison, he certainly will.”

The phone screen went black.

“The coach is at the rink with Ellie and Julia.” Grant’s gaze swept across Nan and Hannah and Carson. “I have to go get them.”

From under her oxygen mask, Nan waved, her eyes wide and frightened. Hannah shifted the baby to one side and wrapped an arm around Carson.

“I suppose I’d have to arrest you to get you to stay here.” McNamara sighed.

“Yeah. That’s about right.” Grant turned toward the street, where he’d left Corey Swann’s sedan running. The car was blocked in by emergency vehicles.

“Then you might as well come with me.” McNamara jogged toward his car. Grant followed him into the unmarked police cruiser. Swirling lights reflected off something in the tree on Ellie’s front lawn. Grant ran over. A small surveillance camera was mounted on a low branch.

“What is it?” McNamara yelled.

Grant sprinted back to the police car and jumped into the passenger seat. “A wireless video camera. I think I just figured out how Corey kept watch on Ellie’s house.”

The cop pulled away from the scene.

Grant dialed Mac again and told him about Victor. McNamara used his radio to call the dispatcher and call for backup from the county sheriff’s office.

They headed for the rink, Grant praying that Mac found Ellie and Julia in time.

The cop turned on his vehicle lights but not the siren. “We don’t know what happened. Victor has no reason to hurt Ellie or Julia.”

But Grant did know what happened. Those girls accidentally killed Lindsay Hamilton, and their coach had covered up their crime.



Ellie tried to slide out from between Josh and the wall, but he blocked her exit with a knee. Julia would be out any minute, and Ellie didn’t want her daughter anywhere near Josh.

She pushed against his chest, but he sneered down at her, clearly enjoying his physical superiority. Ellie glanced down. Her knee and his groin were perfectly aligned. She tensed, drawing her leg back to gain force. She had one shot at a solid blow to incapacitate him. If she missed, she’d just make him angrier.

The door to the rink opened.

“Hold it, Josh.” Victor’s voice boomed down the concrete corridor.

Thank God. Ellie nearly sagged with relief. Victor stalked across the cement. With a furious glare, Josh backed away.

The coach positioned himself between Josh and Ellie. “Go on home, Josh. You can’t talk to the lady like that.”

Josh scowled, but he backed off. “Remember what I said.” He walked down the hall and disappeared through the heavy door into the arena. The metal door shut with a loud clack.

Julia came out of the locker room in jeans and a sweatshirt. She hefted the long strap on her duffel bag higher on her shoulder. Her ice skates dangled from her hand. She handed them to Ellie. “I broke a lace.”

Ellie took the skates and turned to Victor. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” But his gray eyes were flat. Angry with Josh, no doubt.

The door to the rink opened again. Mac burst through. “Ellie!”

A police officer entered the hallway behind him.

Shock bloomed in Victor’s eyes. He reached into his pocket and drew out a gun. He pointed it at Ellie. “Come with me.”

Ellie had no time to think about why Victor was pointing a gun at her—or why the hell he even had a gun here at the rink with him. She needed to get her daughter away from the threat.

“Julia, run!” Ellie shouted. She threw her body into the coach, making sure she was between the gun and her daughter.

But Victor was an athlete. His body was solid muscle. He didn’t budge as Ellie’s weight slammed into him. He wrapped his hand in her ponytail and dragged her backward, using her body as a shield, but relief coursed through Ellie as Julia got away. Sobbing, the teen ran toward Mac.