I Know Lucy (A Fugitive #1)(65)

As soon as he was gone, she ducked back into the traffic and carefully worked her way in the opposite direction. She needed a place to hide and regather herself. Somewhere safe where no one would find her.

She also needed her stuff. Did she risk going back to their apartment?

No, she couldn’t. What if he returned while she was there? She doubted he’d let her jump through any more windows. She winced, the thought bringing all her aches and pains to the forefront.

She needed to check out her wounds and fast. The ache in her side could easily be a cracked rib from landing on that dumpster, not to mention her throbbing calf muscle and the mammoth size bruise no doubt forming on her hip. Her clothes were cut and bloodied. If she didn’t remedy the situation fast, she’d stand out and someone would tell someone. That cop may not have been able to find her before, but he sure as hell would in San Francisco. She sensed it was his home turf. He must have moved from L.A. sometime in the last five years. The irony that she’d moved to the same place was crushing.

She ducked into an alley and snuck behind a row of trash cans. Crouching low, she rested her head against the wall and did a quick assessment. She had her ipod and her clothes. That was going to get her squat. She needed to get out of this city and for that she needed money. Even a cab fare across the Golden Gate Bridge would cost a chunk. With a heavy sigh, she stepped back into the human traffic, bumping into the man in front of her.

“Sorry,” she mumbled, slipping his wallet into her jacket pocket as she wove through the crowd.

Back to it again. Shorty said the only way to beat this man was to live the life she wanted. What Shorty didn’t understand was that the life she craved was a pipe dream. The only way she was going to beat this killer was to stay alive and not let him catch her.





Chapter 31





ZACH


May 2014





As soon as the final bell rang, I dashed to my car. I’d given Dani enough time to cool down. I ignored Jaeda’s call as I ran past my group. This would only fuel their anger, but I needed to see Dani, to reassure her that I was there for her and would do anything to help her. Surely she would understand that.

I drove to her place in agitated silence, wondering what kind of mood she’d be in when I arrived. Parking a block away, I made sure the coast was clear before slipping behind the old apartment building and wiggling the board free. It was eerily quiet inside the abandoned building.

Clearing my throat, I lightly ran across the room and took the stairs two at a time.

“Hey, Dani. It’s me.” I knocked on the door and listened against the wood.

Nothing.

“Dani, please can I come in?”

I turned the doorknob and pushed my shoulder into the wood. The door creaked open to an empty apartment. My stomach plummeted. The mattress was still there, but all the little things were gone — her clothes, the tatty novels, the knife and Leatherman. Anything that could easily be carried on Dani’s back had been stashed away and taken with her. I stepped further into the room, hoping that I was just seeing things.

I wasn’t.

The apartment was Dani-less.

She was gone.

“Damn it, Dani!” I knocked the chair over and kicked it with my shoe.

What the hell?

She just ran away! Show’s how much I meant to her, I guess.

I shoved my hands in my pockets and cursed a few more times, wanting to rip my hair out. I had no idea where she’d gone and I had no way of finding her.

The only way I’d see her again was if she came back to me.

I slumped onto the mattress, pressing my head into the palms of my hands. Squeezing my eyes shut, I felt the burn of tears. Something I never expected.

She was gone.

And it was my fault.

The chances of her coming back were zero.

I’d pushed too hard. I’d broken my promise to her and she’d fled.

She’d trusted me with the truth and I’d blown it.

Anger still bubbled beneath my guilt. She’d said she didn’t want to run anymore and I was annoyed that she didn’t have the courage to stand up and face this guy.

But what did it matter? Dani was gone and there was nothing I could do about it.

*****

In spite of the fact I knew she wouldn’t return, I still kept my eye out for her. I spent the weekend driving the streets near her abandoned building, just to make sure. When I caught up with Elliot on Sunday (who obviously felt sorry for me and managed to fit me into his busy schedule) and we walked into the center of town, I couldn’t keep my eyes off the people. I scanned each one, looking for Dani’s perfect nose and lips. I saw no one like her and my heart got tired with the effort.

On Monday, I could barely concentrate. I scoured every hallway for her, but nothing. I had to get it into my stupid skull that Dani was gone.

Throwing my bag on the ground, I slumped down next to my friends at the lunch table. I wouldn’t look at them, but could tell they were throwing each other worried glances.

“Zach, it’s been a week. I know you’re upset that she’s just up and left, but you can’t mope forever.” Jaeda’s quiet encouragement only made me feel worse. I could mope if I damn well wanted to.

Liesl squeezed my forearm. “If it’s any consolation, I miss her too. Wednesday dinner just wasn’t the same.”