“What?” Kerry and Adams swung around, uttering the word in unison as they stared at him. May felt a flash of pride.
“How did you know that?” Kerry demanded.
“I saw her looking over the wall when I was waiting for Adams. She was interested to know why someone was prowling around her ex-husband’s workshop. I gave her a few details. She seemed to be happy to speak quite openly to me, so I said that the FBI might be back soon to ask for more information.”
“Well!” Kerry exclaimed.
“From what she told me while we were chatting, they co-owned the property so they divided it up when they divorced. I also picked up that they don’t like each other much. But they are in each other’s business, a lot. So I think if you go and speak to Mrs. McGee, she might be willing to tell you more,” Owen advised with a smile.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
He’d left the door open.
Shawna struggled with the soft ropes tying her. He’d tightened them so carefully. Considerately. Mumbling apologies to her the whole time. As if he was politely trying to get past her in a crowded nightclub, not actually tying her up with rope.
It was creepy and terrifying. She’d been numb with terror.
He’d locked the door before he started so she hadn’t had a chance to escape. She had been imprisoned in that small, wooden room. But after she was tied, he’d left it open.
Shawna yanked her hands up as hard as she could.
He’d tied her tight, and before he left, he’d smoothed her hair down and assured her that he’d be back. That he wasn’t leaving her.
That was exactly what she was afraid of. That he would be back.
Shawna pulled as hard as she could. She had to get out of the ropes that held her. She had to get out of here.
She braced her elbows against the floor and pushed up, trying to wrench the loops looser. And thanks to how ultra-considerately he’d fastened them, it worked. There was some give. Enough for her to drag one of her hands out of the knotted ties.
With a rush of relief, she freed the other. Her hands were shaking, but at least she was no longer a prisoner.
The knots on her ankles were easy to undo now. Shawna crept to the door and looked out.
He was out there, down the track. It was far enough away that she couldn’t see him. She could hear him, though. He was working with wood. Sawing, cutting, drilling.
The sounds filled her with fear, because they brought to mind that he was somehow going to hurt her. That whatever he was doing or making was intended for her.
She wasn’t going to stick around to find out.
Tiptoeing along, Shawna headed down the path.
She didn’t know what was beyond the house. She didn’t know if there was anything. She was deep in the woods and she didn’t dare go near where she thought he was now. She needed to find another way out of here. No matter what it took, she had to.
She tiptoed down the track.
Her feet scrunched over the sandy surface. It was early morning, and the trees pressed darkly against the path, lining it impenetrably. If she didn’t take the route to the lake, there was only one way to go, and it was this way. She thought it led down to a road, because she could hear the sound of a car speeding past.
Just one car, then silence again. This was not a busy road, but she had to get there. Get away from that maniac.
Hurry, Shawna.
The trees on either side of the drive crowded in on her, blocking her way. Breathing roughly, Shawna stumbled forward, her heart pounding.
The gravel was skittering under her feet.
She couldn’t tell where she was, or which direction would be closer to civilization. It was all unfamiliar, and so remote. It felt like the middle of nowhere.
Feeling as exposed as if she were running down a street naked, Shawna hurried down to the blacktop road. Surely, once on the street, she would be able to get help.