Hunting Human - Amanda E. Alvarez [106]
Chase moved to Lucy’s side and slipped an arm around her waist. He cradled her head when she pressed her face, flushed and wet with tears, into his shoulder. “He can’t have them,” she whispered.
“Of course not. But for now, we’re playing his game. Chase and I searched the woods this morning. Markko’s not alone. At least two of them came through the woods this morning, deposited the deer and then slunk back to a car they’d parked about a mile out.”
“Markko and Alek,” Beth said.
“Probably. We have to be patient. Markko will contact us and let us know how he wants this to play out. When he does, we’ll take control of the situation. Until then, we have to be patient and wait.” Matthew handed Beth the phone. “He’s going to want to speak to you, honey. Can you handle that?”
Beth closed her eyes, but curled her fingers around the phone and nodded jerkily. “What do I need to say?”
They spent the next several hours determining how to handle Markko, ultimately deciding that they would let him lead the conversation. If he ever called. Beth glanced over to the phone lying on the nightstand. How long would he wait? The clock on the bedside table read 3:45 a.m. Sleep wasn’t coming. She got out of bed, grabbed the phone and slipped down the stairs.
The house was quiet, everyone sleeping or worrying on their own for the moment. She flipped on the light in the kitchen, poured water into the teapot Anna kept on the stove and waited for it to boil.
“Can’t sleep?”
Beth jumped and whirled, her heart lodged in her throat.
Chase grinned apologetically. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”
“It’s fine.” Beth pulled the tea bags out of the cabinet. “Want some?”
“Sure.”
She pulled down an extra mug and placed it in front of Chase.
“I can’t stand the waiting. It’s driving me crazy.”
“That’s what he wants. But if it helps, I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t call in the next hour.”
“If he calls at all,” Beth muttered.
“He’ll call. He wants you worried and at your most vulnerable. That means he’s most likely to call when he thinks you’re either asleep or exhausted.”
Beth retrieved the teapot as it started to steam and whine, and poured the boiling water into their mugs. For a long time she didn’t drink, just kept her hands around the mug, letting the warmth seep into her hands and down her arms. Was Braden warm? Hungry? Scared?
Two high-pitched beeps broke through her thoughts. Beth glanced up, then down at the phone on the countertop. It beeped twice more. Beth snatched it up as Chase’s fingers closed around her wrist.
“Remember what we talked about. Let him dictate the conversation. If he asks you questions, make sure you keep your answers short, don’t give him more than what he asks for. Put it on speaker when you answer.”
“Okay.” The phone beeped twice more in her hand. Beth shakily pressed the accept call button and answered.
“Hello?”
“Lizzy? You sound tired.” Markko smiled into the phone, watching Edwards struggle against his bonds. “I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“What do you want?”
“I think you’re the one who wants something. Am I right?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Lying is beneath you, Lizzy. We both know I have something, or should I say someone, you want. Don’t we?”
“Yes.”
“Good girl. Would you like to speak to him? You only have to ask.”
“Put him on the line.”
“That’s not very polite. I think you can do better.”
“Please.” Her voice trembled over the phone. “Please put him on the line.”
“Very good.” Markko removed the duct tape sealing Edwards’ mouth in one quick pull.
Edwards swore and bared his teeth.
“Someone would like to speak with you. I’m going to put you on speaker. She’ll be the one to pay for anything foolish on your part.”
Edwards’ eyes flashed and he snapped his mouth shut, refusing to participate in the call.
“Let’s not be stubborn, hmm?” Markko pushed the phone between them and engaged the speakerphone. “She’s obviously worried—I’d hate to add to it. Speak or scream, it