As for Abby, not sure her details could be made out, but it’s clear from a distance she’s a small woman. It would be enough for Hellman to go to the police, particularly if he has video.
No other shots ring out, but I hear a man yell, “Where did they go?”
Another calls back, “Into the woods.”
Goddamn it. We have a few-hundred-yard lead, but it’s going to be a damn footrace if they follow us. I don’t hear any more voices, but I reach Abby and latch onto her hand again.
“Run faster,” I snarl, using my memory of the terrain and the bounce of my flashlight to illuminate the way.
Abby’s in good shape. While her legs are shorter than mine, she maintains a full-on sprint with me, and we come barreling out of the forest without breaking stride.
Our cars are up ahead, and I know we have to get both of them out of the vicinity.
“Get in your car and hightail it out of here. Do not go back past Hellman’s. Figure out some other way to get home, but get there fast.”
“Okay,” she gasps, and I hear the fear in her voice from that one short word. It makes me want to stop, pull her into my arms, and give her a hard kiss and a hug.
But there’s no time.
Abby flies past my car and jumps into hers while I wait and watch behind us. She manages to jet out of there without squealing her tires. I peer back into the darkness and see no flashlights coming our way. It doesn’t mean we’re not being pursued, only that I can’t see them.
I jump into my SUV and take off after her.
Not knowing my way around these back roads, I rely on GPS to find my way back to Abby’s. When I do, I’m relieved to see her car outside the apartment.
Returning my gun and flashlight to the glove box, I lock my vehicle and head up the stairs. I take a deep breath, mainly to center myself, and try to release some of the anger that’s been brewing during the drive back.
I don’t bother to knock but push open the door to find Abby pacing the living room. She whirls to face me, her expression wary as she wrings her hands.
“What the fuck were you thinking?” Clearly, I didn’t do a good job centering myself to displace the anger.
“I was attempting to get more dogs out.” She throws her arms wide. “I don’t understand. I watched his place each night that you were gone, and—”
“You did what?” I exclaim incredulously.
“I thought I was being careful, Kellen.” Her voice is soft, almost meek with shame. “I watched for three days, and it was dark. No movement. It should’ve been safe for us.”
“Us?” I mutter. “Where were your cohorts?”
She shrugs miserably. “They didn’t show up tonight, so I went by myself.”
“He was clearly waiting for you.” I rub my hands over my face in frustration as I think about possible repercussions. Will he call the police and report Abby?
Would I lie and be her alibi?
I never thought I’d ever consider something like that, but now, I think I might.
“Do you hate me?”
I’m jolted out of my thoughts, the pure misery in those four words clenching my heart. “God, no, I don’t hate you.” I cross the room and pull her into my arms. “I’m pissed as hell at you and want to spank your ass, but I don’t hate you. I hate myself a little as I should’ve stopped you from going. I knew you were up to no good.”
Abby’s arms squeeze me tight, and she buries her face into my chest. “I’m so sorry to have gotten you involved. I’ll take all the blame if the police come.”
I lean back, forcing her to look up at me. “The police come, you and I were in bed all night. You understand?”
Her protest is swift. “I can’t let you lie about it.”
“I ordinarily wouldn’t put my neck out like that, but where you’re concerned, I’m willing to put it right on the chopping block. Honestly, even if we are on video, the worst he’d have on us is trespassing. You didn’t take anything. He clearly has no proof you took Princess or else he would’ve gone to the police. We wait it out tonight and see what happens.”
Abby’s eyes shutter and her head bows. “I’m so sorry, Kellen. I just want to hurt that man so bad. I want to help those dogs, and I can’t stand it that I can’t do anything.”
I frame her face with my hands and force her gaze up. It shreds me to see tears swimming there, as I’ve come to know Abby isn’t the crying type.
Bending slightly, I brush my lips against hers. “It’s okay. I understand, and I admire your need for justice.” I pull back and stare at her meaningfully. “But you can’t go about it like this anymore, Abby. That man shot at you, and he had no care in the world if he killed you. It’s too dangerous.”