Careless Whisper Read online

  “And I’ve been hit enough to know how things heal.” He rubbed off the blood and gave her a sad smile. “I’m going to be fine. But are you okay? You looked upset when I walked in, and I know some of those jerks were giving you a hard time yesterday.”

  “You’re worried about me?”

  He laced his fingers through hers. “Of course I am.”

  “I don’t care about me, Damon. Just go get some ice for that eye. I’ll handle the tutoring.”

  “No. I’m not letting you face them on your own.”

  “I can handle myself.” She squared her shoulders.

  Damon kissed her cheek, wincing as his lips brushed her skin.

  “See? You can’t even kiss me without it hurting. Please see the nurse.”

  He frowned.

  Ari stood taller. “I can handle them, and even if they do get out of control, Mr. Ernst is in his class next door. I’ll bring him in if necessary.”

  Damon’s shoulders slumped. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. Take care of your wounds. I’d do it myself, but I’m afraid we’d lose out on our extra credit.”

  “Fine, you win. This time.”

  She smiled and squeezed his hand. “Good. Thank you.”

  Damon held her gaze for a moment before heading toward the nurse’s office. He turned around and blew her a kiss.

  Ari pretended to catch it and watched him until he turned a corner and disappeared. She gathered her strength before returning to the classroom. Amazingly, everyone was quietly reading.

  She wrote a few notes on the white board before turning to the class. “Damon will be back. He got caught in the middle of breaking up a fight.” She moved onto the topic of the chapter immediately, not giving anyone a chance to say anything about her boyfriend.

  Once the kids were all busy doing their homework, she let out a slow breath. It had been a miracle they’d all listened to her and were now all reading and writing. She glanced at the window by the door, hoping to see Damon, but the hallway was empty.

  She walked up and down the rows, stopping when someone asked her a question and then continuing. As she neared the back of the room, whispering caught her attention.

  Ari was going to tell them to focus, but something about the boys’ sharp tones made her hold her tongue. She kept her back to the boys, but listened to the conversation.

  They were whispering so quietly, it was hard to make out many words. But what she did hear made her blood run cold.

  “Cash … meeting place … the coordinates … another girl … secret stash … going to die.”

  She needed to tell her dad about this right away.

  Chapter 21

  Alex’s heart raced. The abductors would be there soon. Ten minutes felt like an eternity.

  Everyone was in position. Darkness blanketed the park, which both worked to their advantage—keeping them all hidden—but also worked against them, making it harder to see the assailants.

  More than likely, Alex would see them first. He was positioned near one of the back entrances, not far from the pick-up location.

  He wished they would be able to nab them immediately, but the plan was to follow and track them after they took the suitcase of money. Otherwise, they may never get the location of Stella, the third victim.

  Once they knew where the abductors were staying, they would get the proper paperwork, then go inside to search for clues to Stella’s location. After they had enough to find her, they would arrest the perpetrators.

  It was a much slower process than Alex would have chosen, but it was the one that went through the legal channels.

  He just hoped another victim wasn’t taken in the process. They were already getting double the cash for this one. With any luck, the criminals would take the money and not take any more children before they were arrested.

  Crunch!

  Alex reached for his gun, held his breath, and looked around.

  Crack!

  Footsteps sounded not far away, coming from the woods behind him.

  Alex held perfectly still. He wanted to send a text to let the others know someone was coming in his direction. But the light would give him away.

  He waited.

  Voices. Two men, from the sounds of it.

  His pulse drummed in his ears.

  This was it. He was about to see the perpetrators. No, he couldn’t take them down, but he could memorize their faces.

  The footsteps were heading in his direction. Their whispers coming closer.

  Alex remained in place, though his muscles burned to leap out and take them both down. Anger replaced his nerves. How dare those men destroy lives and terrorize young women?

  An overhead light flickered on about twenty feet away. Two uniformed men strolled beneath it.

  Alex gave them a double-take from his hiding spot.

  Police? Every precinct in the area knew to stay away from the park, especially after the previous night’s botched operation.

  He returned his gun to its holster and leaned closer toward the officers, trying to hear what they were saying. Couldn’t make anything out.

  They couldn’t get any closer. Not without botching this operation.

  Alex stepped out onto the path.

  Both men jolted.

  “What are you doing here?” Alex demanded.

  “We always walk through the park after work,” said the officer on the right.

  “It’s a public park,” said the other. “What are you doing here?”

  Alex studied the badges on their jackets. It was hard to read anything in the dim light, but he was able to make out one word clearly.

  Mall.

  “You’re mall security guards?”

  The two guys exchanged a look. The second turned back to Alex. “Yeah. What’s the big deal?”

  Alex moved aside his jacket to reveal his badge. “The big deal is there’s a major sting operation going down tonight. It was already ruined once because of two uniformed men in the park last night.”

  The first guy took a step back. “Oh …”

  “We had no idea.”

  Alex raked his fingers through his hair. “I need you to leave right now. But first, give me your information. We’re going to need to question you later.”

  “Sure. No problem.”

  They quickly gave Alex their names and numbers before leaving the way they returned.

  Alex muttered under his breath as he sent Hanks the update.

  Mall cops. He shook his head as he moved back into place.

  He calmed down as he waited. No more footsteps or whispering. Just an owl hooting not far away and the occasional bat flying overhead and triggering the lights.

  Alex shifted his weight every so often, tempted to check his phone for updates but not wanting the lit screen to give away his location.

  After a while, the patter of footsteps sounded. They were heavy. Someone was running.

  Alex’s breath hitched as he turned in the direction of the noise. Another light turned on as two men wearing all black ran underneath.

  One carried the suitcase.

  This was it. The kidnappers were heading his way.

  And there was nothing he could do about it. Except watch. Tail them without being seen. He ducked back, hiding among the bushes.

  The men ran past, huffing and puffing. One uttered profanities at the other.

  Had something gone wrong with the pick-up? Alex’s heart sank at the thought. If it had, they would lose their last chance at getting Josie’s location.

  She didn’t have much time left before running out of air—assuming the criminals had told the truth about how much time she had.

  Once they were far enough ahead, Alex stepped out from his hiding spot and followed. He stayed close to the bushes so he could jump behind one if need be. However, it was dark enough he wouldn’t be easily seen as long as he avoided the dim light from overhead.

  They turned onto the trail that led to the back parking lot, disapp
earing for a moment.

  Alex picked up his pace. Once they were visible again, he dropped back.

  The men ran toward the lone vehicle—a filthy unmarked van without back windows. No plate, from what Alex could tell.

  He darted behind a bush and snapped some pictures that came out dim because he couldn’t risk using the flash. He texted Hanks and let her know where the suspects were.

  The van’s back door squeaked and groaned as the men opened it. Protested just as loudly when they closed it, shutting themselves inside.

  One of the agents appeared down the path, looking around.

  Alex stepped out. “They went inside the back of the vehicle. Probably counting the money.”

  The agent nodded before creeping toward the van.

  Alex remained in place, waiting for them to start the engine and peel away.

  As more agents and police arrived, there was no movement from the vehicle.

  Hanks turned to Alex. “Our guys are in there?”

  He nodded. “It’s been about twenty minutes now.”

  “They might sleep in there at this rate.”

  Alex held back a groan. It was going to be a long night.

  Chapter 22

  Owen palmed the piles of cash spread across his lap as he sat in the back of the van and closed his eyes. “I can’t believe we got forty thousand dollars.”

  “Maybe we should recount it.”

  “Are you serious?” He gave Sam the most frustrated look he could muster.

  “What if they shorted us?”

  Owen rang his hands together. “We already counted it.”

  “We might’ve gotten it wrong.” Sam narrowed his eyes.

  “Do you realize how long that took?”

  “I was here, wasn’t I?”

  “We have the money. Let’s just go. I feel like a sitting duck. What if they followed us?”

  Sam sat up straighter. “Then they’d be stupid. We told them if anything went wrong, they’d never get the coordinates for Josie.”

  The burner phone rang.

  “They want to know where she is.” Owen’s heart raced.

  Sam pulled out a joint and lit it. “They can wait.”

  “Come on. Josie’s been in there for so long.”

  “So? You like her or something?”

  “She doesn’t deserve this.”

  “Your point?” Sam took a long drag and held it. Handed it to Owen.

  He shook his head.

  Sam blew out smoke circles. “We picked the girls we did because they’re tough. The chick is fine.”

  “Would you be fine buried underground for days on end?”

  He shrugged. “Yeah, sure.”

  Owen took a deep breath. “We need to get outta here. I’m driving. You can count the money again if you want. I feel like the cops could show up at any minute, especially if Josie’s parents don’t hear from us soon.”

  “You’re such a worry wart. Fine, you drive and I’ll count.”

  Relief washed through him. “Good. But you’ll never get through it all before we get back to the apartment.”

  “Don’t care.”

  Owen wanted to call him names, but he kept silent. They needed to get the money into the safe before light. Before anyone would see them and get suspicious.

  “Keys.”

  Sam grumbled as he dug them from his pocket then handed them over.

  Owen couldn’t wait for the day he wouldn’t have to spend any more time with his friend. Once they split all the money, he wanted to part ways and never see him again.

  Except they still had several classes together.

  Who’d have thought committing crimes would push them apart so quickly? Now they sounded like an old married couple rather than best friends. Former best friends.

  Owen stepped over piles of bills toward the front of the vehicle.

  “Mask.” Sam’s tone indicated he thought Owen was an idiot.

  “I’m not stupid.” Owen pulled on his mask before sitting in the driver’s seat and starting the engine. It took three tries. “Where’d you get this piece of junk?”

  “You don’t want to know.”

  He was probably right.

  Owen turned on the parking lights and backed out before pulling onto the road. “When are we going to text the coordinates?”

  “You do like that ho.”

  “Don’t call her that.”

  Sam laughed.

  Owen squeezed the steering wheel. The day he walked away from his former friend would be the best day of his life. Not only because he’d be able to start over with all the cash, but because he could pick new friends. Ones who wouldn’t put his freedom at risk.

  There were a lot of cars out for this time of night.

  He glanced at the speedometer and let his foot off the gas. No point in getting pulled over for something stupid like driving too fast. There was too much evidence in the back.

  Not to mention the fact he was wearing a ski mask. That would give a cop reason enough to pull him over. But at the same time, he couldn’t risk his face being caught on some camera and associating him with the van they were using to pick up the money.

  He pulled up his hood over his head to hide the mask. It would look like a shadow.

  Hopefully.

  Owen kept his attention on the side mirrors and paid attention to the cars around him for any that stuck around too long.

  Sam clapped. “I’m done!”

  “Counting?”

  “Yep. Turns out it took so long before because of you.”

  “Shut up.”

  Sam laughed. “It’s all here. All forty grand. They even threw in an extra two hundred for good measure.”

  “Text the coordinates.”

  “What’s the rush?”

  Owen pulled to the side of the road and stopped. “Because they held up their end of the bargain. Text them.”

  “I like the idea of making them sweat a little longer.”

  “Are you crazy?”

  “At least I don’t drive like my grandma.”

  Owen narrowed his eyes. “I’m trying to stay off the radar. If you won’t text them, hand me the burner.”

  “I never knew you to be such a mama’s boy before this.”

  “That doesn’t even make sense.” Owen unbuckled and turned around, holding up a fist.

  “Chill out and drive. I’ll text them.”

  “You’d better.” Owen glowered at him before turning back to the driver’s seat and pulling back to the road. “Are you texting them?”

  “Yes, Mom.”

  He clenched his jaw and held back an angry retort. As long as Sam was actually giving Josie’s parents her location nothing else mattered.

  “Done.”

  “I want proof.”

  “You’re such a crybaby.”

  “Again, you’re not making any sense.”

  “Whatever.” Sam shoved the screen in his face. “See?”

  Owen pushed the phone back so he could read the screen.

  Sam had texted them the information.

  “Happy, mama’s boy?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Now we can go to sleep and dream up ways of spending our riches.”

  Assuming they didn’t get caught. What if the bills were marked? He kept his thoughts to himself and checked the mirrors again.

  There was a car almost a block behind that had been there for too long.

  Owen was sure it was the same one. He swore.

  “What, crybaby?”

  “Shut up!”

  “What’s the matter?” Sam asked.

  “We’re being tailed.”

  “You sure?”

  He glanced in the side mirror again.

  The car was still there.

  “Yep.”

  Sam muttered, put on a mask, and made his way to the passenger seat. He leaned toward the window. “Which one?”

  “Kind of light blue. Looks like it could be a Beamer, ma
ybe.”

  “Back by the stop sign?”

  “That’s the one.”

  “Turn,” Sam ordered.

  “Now? We’re—”

  “Turn!”

  Owen resisted the urge to use the blinker and took the next turn sharply.

  Thump!

  Sam glared at him, rubbing the side of his head. “You’re as bad a driver as me.”

  “I learned from the worst.”

  They both turned to check the mirrors again.

  The blue car was turning onto their road.

  Owen’s stomach knotted. “You think it’s a coincidence.”

  “Take some more turns.”

  He got over and turned left quickly. Then he took a right and another left.

  And the car was still back there.

  “He’s following us.” Owen squeezed the steering wheel.

  “We can’t go back to the apartment until we know we lost them.” Sam swore. “Where can we stop to throw them off?”

  “I don’t know. What about the money?”

  “If they’ve been following us since the park, they already know about the money.”

  Owen’s stomach lurched. “What do we do?”

  “Drive like a maniac to lose the car. I’ll think of something.”

  “Okay.” He hit the gas so hard, his head yanked backward.

  Chapter 23

  Alex’s breath hitched as they neared the destination. They were already in a different forest, and the GPS was leading them off road.

  “You think she’s really there?” he asked.

  Anderson turned off the dirt road. “Let’s hope.”

  Alex glanced back at the other cars behind them. It was quite the rescue mission.

  Before long, they pulled into a grassy field. Others were already there, some cruisers and other unmarked cars. Even an ambulance was parked.

  Anderson barely stopped the car before Alex jumped out, ready to start digging. He followed the trail of police and agents until he got to the spot where some people were already digging.

  His heart raced as he grabbed a shovel leaning against a tree. He thought about everything Josie had been through. All her parents had suffered waiting and not knowing—a dread he knew too well.

  Alex joined the others unearthing the dirt. “Has anyone hit the box yet?”