Twilight at Blueberry Barrens (Sunset Cove #3)(75)

He saw two figures across the Point as they approached the edge of the cliff. The sea foamed against the rocks below. A boat rode the waves, and he squinted to make out that it was a Coast Guard boat. Lots of activity for such a remote spot, but with any kind of luck, the Coast Guard would cruise on by. He grabbed his binoculars and turned his gaze back to the two men just in time to see one shove the other off the cliff. Was that Newham who’d just gone over? His mouth gaped as he watched the figure plummet and vanish into the pummeling waves.

Holy cow, what had just happened? He had to find out.

*

The cool breeze off the ocean lifted the loose strands of hair on the back of Kate’s neck. She jumped at the rattle of pebbles behind her, but it was only a stray cat wandering down to take a look at her. She wished she could see Kevin’s house from here. It would make her feel safer. She hadn’t caught so much as a glimpse of any law enforcement, but that was the way it should be. She didn’t want to scare off her stalker, but she was so ready for this to be over.

Pebbles rolled under her sandals as she paced the shore, then checked the time on her phone. He was unlikely to be here for at least forty-five minutes unless he arrived early. She thought she heard a shout in the distance and whirled, but she saw only a splash across the bay. Probably a fish or a dolphin.

She walked along the water’s edge and tried to calm herself with deep breaths. Should she get out her bear spray? It was a small can that she could easily hide in her hand. She dove her hand into her purse for it and slipped it into her palm.

She saw a boat far out to sea heading for the opposite shore. Would it scare off her stalker? She wanted to wave off the vessel, but the captain would never see her from here. She turned and walked back toward the steps, but before she reached them, she heard shoes crunching on rocks behind her. Jonas was heading her way with a big grin. Her pulse responded with a happy leap.

“You’ve caught him?”

He nodded. “He’s in jail right now. It’s over. I let everyone know they could call off the surveillance. Let’s get out of here.”

She felt light-headed. “I’m so glad it’s over!” The steep ascending steps were to her left, and she headed toward them. “Let’s go have some ice cream to celebrate. I’ll text Drake to bring the girls to join us. Claire and Luke too. It’s a happy day.”

He slid her purse off her shoulder. “I’ll carry this for you.”

“Thanks.” She started up the steps and glanced back to make sure he was behind her.

She quickened her pace and wished she’d taken time to put away the bear spray. Not having both hands free impeded her speed in climbing the cliffside, but her spirits were as high as the sky overhead. She reached the top and glanced toward the forest. No deputies emerged from the trees to greet her, which seemed odd. Surely they hadn’t all managed to return to town.

She paused to catch her breath and waited for Jonas to reach her. “I don’t see Kevin’s truck. Is he still hiding?”

“I don’t think anyone is around.” Jonas spoke in a strangely flat tone as he continued to approach her.

A tiny shudder made its way down her back. Something felt off here, and she couldn’t put her finger on it. Tons of law enforcement should have been crawling all over these woods. There hadn’t been time to call them all off. At least she didn’t think so. And she didn’t like the intent way Jonas eyed her. Unless it was her imagination, an air of menace twisted his features.

She tightened her fingers on the can of bear spray. “Where’s the sheriff?”

He didn’t answer, and his hand drifted to his unsnapped holster.

Run! The inner compulsion made her tremble. This was Jonas. Why should terror be washing up her neck like a rogue wave? To gain time, she turned and walked toward the forest.

She glanced back over her shoulder. He was just three feet behind her and was starting to pull his gun from its holster. He’d shoot her in the back if she just tried to run, so she stopped and turned. She whipped the bear spray up, then shot a full blast into his face as he drew his gun.

He screamed and dropped his gun on the ground. Profanities spewed from his mouth like vile sewage. Part of her wanted to see if he was okay, but this was her only chance to escape. She darted into the shadows of the forest and angled for the thickest part. She had hunted these woods with her uncle, but Jonas might know the area as well as she did, so she had to think about how to throw him off her trail.

She paused and listened. It was all quiet except for the rasp of her breath and the chirping of birds overhead. When she looked at the ground, she saw she’d left a clear trail. If she backtracked in her steps a few feet, she’d be able to hop along a fallen tree to an area where pine needles might cloak her footsteps. But first she had to lead him in another direction.

She ran forward fifteen feet, then marked a big tree with her feet as if she’d climbed in. Was he coming yet? She still heard nothing, so standing on tiptoes she reversed her steps by twenty feet and managed to get along the fallen log to the area she’d spied earlier. Still on her toes, she walked as lightly as she could over the needles, then grabbed a fallen tree branch and erased all trace of her passage until she reached a rocky cliffside. It would be a hard climb up, but she had to go this way if she wanted to avoid Jonas.

Where were Drake and Luke? And the sheriff? How had Jonas gotten them out of the picture?