Pay the Price (Harmony Grove Book 3) by Carol Post (which ebook reader txt) 📕

She straightened and backed away from the bench. He had instructed her to walk back to her car. But where was Autumn? Would he let her go once he had the phone?

No, she couldn’t leave. Not until she knew Autumn was safe.

“I’ve left you the phone.” Her voice pierced the silence of the park, filled with a confidence she didn’t feel. “I’ve done what you asked, so let Autumn go.”

There was no response. Maybe she needed to give him more space. She backed away, putting a good fifteen yards between herself and the bench where the phone still sat untouched.

A figure stepped out from behind one of the huge oaks and limped toward the bench. As it moved from the shadows into the soft glow of the street lamp, she recognized it for what it was—two people, the taller one shielding himself with the body of the smaller one.

That smaller figure was Autumn. Dim yellow light washed over her, casting her long blond hair and pale skin in a soft glow. Her eyes weren’t visible. They were likely wide and filled with fear.

The larger figure reached for the phone, but instead of releasing Autumn, dragged her back the way they had come. Jessica stifled a gasp. She hadn’t thought far enough ahead to come up with a plan if her caller didn’t keep his side of the bargain.

“Let her go.” Her command rang out strong and sharp. She started walking, picking up speed as she moved toward them. She had followed his instructions explicitly, all except for returning to her car. He had what he wanted, and she wasn’t going to let him drag Autumn away.

“Let her go,” she commanded again, with even more force. She was closing in on them, now at a full run. Twenty feet…fifteen feet… The assailant thrust his captive to the ground and disappeared into the shadows.

Jessica ran the final yards and dropped to her knees next to Autumn. “Are you all right?”

The girl dissolved into sobs and raised trembling hands to her face.

“It’s okay. You’re safe now.” She gave her an awkward pat on the arm. She should be doing more to offer comfort. But she wasn’t good at this kind of thing. What she really wanted to do was pump Autumn full of questions. How did her kidnapper know Jessica had Priscilla’s phone? How did he know to go to Autumn in the first place?

She reined in her curiosity. “Come on. Take my hand, and I’ll help you to my car.”

Autumn complied, and by the time they reached the Bug, she’d stopped crying. She slid into the passenger’s seat and drew in a shaky breath. “He had a knife. He said he was going to slice my throat open if I didn’t cooperate. He was supposed to let me go when he had the phone, but he changed his mind.” A shudder shook her shoulders, and she tipped her head back and closed her eyes.

A pang of tenderness found its way into Jessica’s heart. It would be a long time before Autumn recovered from the trauma of this night. “Do you know who he was?”

She shook her head. “He was wearing a ski mask. He broke into the house and clamped his hand over my mouth so I wouldn’t wake up Mom and Dad. Then he dragged me outside and stuffed me into the trunk.”

“What was he driving?”

“My dad’s car. I guess he took the keys from the hook near the door. He wanted to know who called using Prissy’s phone.”

With a flash of clarity, all the pieces fell into place. When they ransacked Prissy’s and Autumn’s houses, they were looking for the phone. But it was in Autumn’s car. Someone had been keeping tabs on Prissy’s cell phone account, monitoring the activity, and the call to Autumn gave them just the break they needed.

Jessica cranked the car and looked over at Autumn. “We’ve got to report this to the police.”

Autumn nodded.

If Branch investigated, he would probably ignore it, or at the least, minimize its importance. But she wasn’t going to let it go. First thing in the morning, she would tell Shane. Because there was something significant on that phone, something someone wanted to keep a secret.

Enough to kill for.

Chapter Nine

Shane waited at the edge of the display window, arms crossed, one shoulder against the frame. Inside, swags of fabric decorated the three-by-six-foot display area. On one side, a colorful quilt was draped over some kind of frame. On the other, a group of pedestals in varying heights held craft projects.

Beyond the window display, Jess stood at the U-shaped counter speaking with a customer while she measured out fabric. Once cut, she folded it and slid it over to the cash register. When her gaze met his through the front window, her face lit with a smile.

He’d arrived almost ten minutes early. Half that time, he’d observed Jess through the window. He hadn’t walked in and let her know he’d arrived, because he hadn’t wanted to disturb her. At least, that was what he’d told himself.

There was another reason he’d remained outside. He enjoyed watching her as she went about her duties, confident and efficient. Her enthusiasm was evident in her posture and her quick step. The job, though temporary, was good for her. She was driven, someone who needed to stay busy.

He waited until the customer left, then entered as BethAnn approached from the back of the store.

“You guys can go. I’ll lock up.”

He stepped outside and held the door open for Jess. “How was your day?”

“It was good.” He released the door and she moved down the sidewalk next to him. “I’m just a little tired after my unexpected trip to the park in the middle of the night.”

His step faltered. “Why were you at the park in the middle of the night?”

“Someone wanted Prissy’s phone. Badly enough to kidnap Autumn and hold her for ransom.”

“You should have called me.”

“I couldn’t.