That was heronlypriority.
The first step was assessing her location. As much as she didn't want to open her eyes and let reality sink in, she had to. She had to know where she was and what she could use to defend herself. Or find a way to escape.
Like it or not, she had no choice but to open her eyes.
Taking a deep breath, she did it.
As she took in her surroundings her mouth fell open in shock.
Of all the locations she had envisioned him bringing her, this was not one of them.
She was in a large room that looked like a medieval castle. The walls were stone and there were several large tapestries hanging on them. There was an enormous oak canopy bed with curtains made from the same tapestry as the ones on the walls. There were two nightstands, an armoire, a dresser, and a wardrobe, all intricately carved. An enormous stone fireplace big enough for ten people to stand in had a fire burning in it despite the fact that it was the middle of summer. She was lying on a couch that was covered with the same tapestry as the rest of the room was decorated with. If this wasn't her prison and she was here on vacation, then this place would be magical.
Georgia glanced down at her body. She was no longer wearing the dress that he had sent her for their date. While she’d been passed out, he had removed her clothing and put her in a beautiful pale pink cotton dress.
What else had he done to her while she was asleep?
Had he touched her? Raped her?
She didn't feel sore, and she didn't feel like anything was different. She slipped a hand between her legs and touched the inside of her thighs, they didn't feel sticky, and when she lifted her dress she was still wearing the same underwear she’d put on for her date. Georgia didn't think he had raped her but that didn't mean he wouldn’t.
Overwhelmingly relieved, she set about checking herself for any other injuries. Other than the split lip she had gotten when he’d hit her in the alley at the industrial estate, she couldn’t find anything else.
She wasn't restrained. Why she had no idea, but it seemed weird. Why wouldn’t he want to keep her in one place. She would have thought he’d have her tied to the bed, or chained to the wall, or something, but she wasn't.
Her feet were bare and when she looked down her body, she saw something on her left ankle. It was a tracking bracelet. That’s why he didn't feel the need to restrain her, because he thought he could track her no matter where she went. For her that was great news. She would find a way to get that tracker off, or she would find a way to run and get to help before he could get to her.
But first she had to get out of this room.
Although she still felt groggy, she couldn’t afford to wait until the effects of the drugs wore off. She didn't know when he would come back so she had to take advantage of every opportunity that presented itself, and any time she was alone was an opportunity.
Scrambling a little unsteadily to her feet, Georgia beelined straight for the door.
Although she knew it would be locked, when she jiggled the door handle and found it locked she was still disappointed.
She didn't have time to dwell though, he could return at any second.
There was one other door, so she ran to that. It wasn't locked and when she threw it open, she found a gorgeous bathroom. Marble counters and tiles on the floor and walls, there was a large Jacuzzi tub and an enormous walk-in shower. What caught her attention was the makeup set out on the counters. It was all her favorite brands. The shades of lipstick, eye shadow, and foundation were also her favorites.
He knew so much about her.
It creeped her out.
It also made her angry.
Mostly at herself.
Shehad been the one who had told him those things. She had been the one to so carelessly let a stranger into her life telling him everything about herself because she felt safe. She knew the dangers of online dating. She knew that the person on the other end of the computer could be anyone, that there was no way to know if he was lying or if he was who he said he was. And obviously he wasn't who he said he was.
He wasn't a sweet, charming gentleman, he was a vicious murderous psychopath.
And she was trapped here with him.
* * * * *
3:57 P.M.
“Are we positive the two murders are related?” Captain Heidi Kramer asked.