Twilight at Blueberry Barrens (Sunset Cove #3)(79)
Her expression set, Claire trudged along and shook off Luke’s help. Drake thought some of the moisture on her face was tears, not rain, but he said nothing to comfort her. Any words of reassurance would ring false. None of them knew what Kissner planned, and it was clear he’d laid a macabre net that they’d all fallen into. They’d trusted him completely, and he fooled them.
What did he want with Kate? Rape, murder? When he’d pushed Drake off the cliff, he’d proven he was willing to do anything to get to her. And they’d been friends in school.
Now her friend planned something for her that didn’t bear thinking about.
*
He stood hidden in the thick foliage and watched the scene in front of him through binoculars. A deputy held Kate captive. He still couldn’t believe the scheme he’d watched play out ever since the guy shoved Newham over the edge. One dead that he didn’t even have to take care of.
Knowing how close the sisters were, he was sure Claire would be along to look for Kate soon. This could all play out to his advantage. If the deputy killed Kate and Claire, he’d be off scot-free and would just have to take care of the kids in a realistic accident. The situation couldn’t be better. Good thing he’d disabled the deputy’s vehicle so there was no danger of the pair escaping the forest until Claire arrived. Or the perfect plan could all fall apart.
Dry in his slicker, the rain didn’t bother him as he waited for Kissner to bring Kate down to where he’d parked his truck. Last time he’d seen Kissner, Kate’s purse still dangled from his shoulder. If Claire didn’t show up soon, he’d text her from Kate’s phone and end this.
He felt almost jovial as he swiped the moisture off his face. The heft of his gun in his holster reassured him of his plan. Kissner wouldn’t be expecting such a rude interruption of his plans.
Muffled by the rain, the sound of voices to his left was faint. He recognized Kate’s and grinned. The game was about to get interesting. He melted into the hazy fog of rain behind a large tree and waited for them to appear out of the mist. His hand settled on the butt of his gun, and he went ahead and pulled it. Holding it casually at his side under the rain slicker, he squinted toward the trail to the clearing.
Kate appeared first. Her hair hung in wet strings around her face, and she was pale. Kissner was right behind her. He was smiling as if he’d gotten everything he ever wanted in life, but he was about to be in for a rude awakening. They half slid and half walked the rest of the way down the hillside, then stepped from under the gloom of the trees into the small clearing where Kissner had left his truck.
Kissner took Kate’s arm and led her to the vehicle. He opened the door and helped her inside. “Don’t try to run, Kate.”
She flashed a smile up at him. “I’m not going anywhere, Jonas. We’re finally together, and it’s what I want.”
Smart, very smart. Play along until the right time. Unfortunately for Kate, there would be no right time. Kissner went around to the other side and climbed under the wheel. The engine ground as Kissner tried to start it and failed.
Grinning, he stepped out from behind the tree and opened the truck door, then aimed his gun at Kissner. “You might as well give it up. I disabled it. Hand me your gun.” He gestured with his Glock. “I’m going to let you stay in there out of the rain until Claire gets here.”
Kissner’s jaw flexed, but he handed over the gun. “Who are you?”
He ignored the deputy and tucked the man’s handgun into his belt.
Kate stared at him. “Claire? She’s not here.”
“But she’s coming. I’m sorry to say neither of you will leave this clearing, and I have the perfect patsy to take the fall for your deaths. Lover boy here took care of Drake for me, so I just have a few strings to tidy up.”
Her blue eyes widened, and she stared at Kissner. “What about Drake?”
Kissner looked back at her with an almost bored expression. “I tossed him over the cliff a little ways down from Mermaid Point. He’s dead.”
Her eyes flooded with tears, and she put her hand over her mouth. She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths, then opened them again and dropped her hand back into her lap. “Listen, I’ll do whatever you want. Just don’t hurt Claire. She’s been through so much already. Just take me and let her go.”
He shook his head. “Sorry, that’s not the way I get paid.”
She stared at him. “You killed Drake’s brother and sister-in-law? You’re AB, aren’t you? You’ve killed a lot of people. But why?”
His gut clenched. Good thing he’d already laid the plans for her death. She’d figured out the notebook. “Money. Lots of money.”
“Who paid you to kill Heath and Melissa? And why?”
“You wouldn’t know him. And I need my notebook back before I kill you.”
Her chin came up and she held his gaze. “I have no incentive to give it to you. Let Claire live, and I’ll get it for you.”
He grinned at her. “Tell me where it is, and I’ll make sure her death isn’t painful. If not, I’ve got a knife here in my belt, and I can make her scream.”
Kate shuddered, and her gaze fell to her hands. “Please, you don’t have to do this.” The words were a defeated whisper.
“Sorry, but that’s not true.” He leaned against the hood of the truck and tipped his head. “I think I hear voices. Claire and her husband are about to join us. Unfortunately, Luke will be a casualty as well.”