Alex Kava Bundle - Alex Kava [127]
“I’m really not hungry,” she blurted quickly, the panic slipping out. “Really, I’m just tired.” That was better. She couldn’t let it sound as if she didn’t trust him.
“I can grill you up a steak that’ll make your mouth water. Just happen to have a couple in my fridge.”
Oh, God. Not his place.
“Maybe another time, Eddie.” She made her voice as sweet as possible, despite the revulsion. “I really am tired. Could you please just take me home?”
She watched his face out of the corner of her eye. His mustache twitched, then a crooked smile. Another glance at himself in the rearview mirror.
“You came on to me pretty strong that evening out by the river,” he said.
Big mistake. How could she be so stupid? Yet, other reporters did that sort of thing all the time, didn’t they?”
“Look, I’m sorry about that, Eddie.” Be sincere. Don’t let him see you’re scared. “It was my first big assignment. I guess I was nervous.”
“It’s okay, Christine. I know it’s been over a year since your husband left. Hell, you don’t have to play shy with me. I know women get horny, too.”
Oh, dear God. This was not going well. She felt sick again as she watched houses pass by. A few more blocks and they’d leave streetlights behind. They were headed out of town. Her heart raced. She was beyond playing cool and calm. She shoved her weight against the door. It didn’t move. Her shoulder throbbed. Eddie scowled at her, then the scowl grew into another twisted smile, telling her it didn’t matter whether or not she played along.
His eyes were coal black to match his greased-back hair. She remembered he was about her height but muscular. After all, he had knocked Nick off his feet with two lousy punches. Of course, Nick hadn’t seen it coming. Something told Christine that was how Eddie operated. Attacking when his victims least expected. Like a spider.
“Eddie, please.” She was not above pleading. “My son’s missing. I’m really in awful shape. Please just take me home.”
“I know what you need, Christine. Take your mind off things for a while. Just relax.”
Her eyes darted around the car. Anything…was there anything she could use as a weapon? Then in the glow of the panel lights she saw a long-necked beer bottle roll out from under the seat, as though answering her prayer.
He was driving awfully fast. She needed to wait. Wait until they stopped, or they’d end up in a snow-filled ditch, stranded in the middle of nowhere. Could she contain the panic until then? Could she keep the scream that clawed at her throat from escaping her lips?
“It wouldn’t hurt you to be nice to me, Christine,” he said slowly. “If you’re nice, I might just tell you where Timmy is.”
CHAPTER 79
Timmy hid his feet under the covers. He scooted into the corner while the stranger paced in front of the bed. Something was wrong. The stranger seemed upset. He hadn’t said anything since he came into the room. Instead, he threw his ski jacket onto the bed and started pacing.
Timmy kept quiet and watched. Under the covers, he pulled and yanked the chain. The stranger forgot to close the door behind him, leaving it wide open. The smell of dirt and mold came in with a draft. It was black on the other side of the door.
“What happened to the lantern?” the stranger suddenly wanted to know. The glass casing still lay on the crate.
“I…I couldn’t light it, so I had to take that thing off. Sorry, I forgot to put it back on.”
The stranger took the glass and snapped it in place without looking at Timmy. When he bent over, Timmy saw black, curly hair sticking out from under his mask. Richard Nixon. That was the dead president the mask resembled. It had taken Timmy three attempts at naming the presidents before he remembered. But there was still something very familiar about Richard Nixon’s blue eyes. Something in the way they stared at him, especially tonight. As if they were apologizing.
Suddenly, the stranger grabbed his jacket and wrestled into it.
“It’s time to go.”
“Where?” Timmy tried to control his excitement. Was it really possible that the stranger might