Page 84 of The Secrets We Treasure

“I happened to live in Philly and have what you might call a checkered past.” He rattled out a wheezy huh, huh. “Laci knew I’d be up for the job.”

“So what? You’re just gonna kill me and disappear?”

“That’s the idea.” He glanced around. “Enough talk. Let’s get this over with.”

“How much is she paying you?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“How much,” she demanded. “I have a right to know what my life is worth.”

“Three hundred thousand dollars. Cash.”

“You want money? I’ve got four hundred grand buried in the backyard.”

“Yeah, right.”

She spoke with all the certainty in the world. “I do.”

A faint interest kindled in his eyes. “Why’re you telling me this?”

“You let me go, and you’ll get a hundred grand over what Laci promised you.”

He grunted. “You must think I have stupid tattooed over my forehead. If I let you go, I’m as good as arrested.”

“I won’t tell a soul,” she lied. Even in her own ears, her words sounded weak.

“Right,” he said sarcastically. “Time’s up. Talk’s over.” His eyes hardened with determination. She screamed when he lunged at her and jabbed the knife, narrowly missing her stomach. At the same instant, a blur of movement came from the side as someone tackled Leo to the ground. Not just someone, but Greer.

Leo sputtered and kicked, but he was no match for Greer. He got on top of Leo and punched him in the jaw. Leo yelped in pain. Greer drew his fist back and socked him again and again. Until finally, Leo’s body went limp. Greer kept pounding, the sickening sound of breaking bone crunching the night air.

“Greer, stop,” Treasure pleaded. “You’ll kill him. Please!”

He got up off Leo and stood. A cry broke through Treasure’s lips as she ran to him and fell into his arms.

“It’s alright,” he soothed, rubbing her back.

“I can’t believe you’re here.” She pulled back. “Wait. How did you know?”

“Cherry called me. Right after she called 911.”

“Leo heard a noise when we were in the house. It must’ve been Cherry.” Tears rushed to her eyes. “She saved me.” Gratitude rose in her chest. “As did you.”

Leo groaned.

Greer’s muscles pulled taut like he was about to release her from his arms and pounce on Leo so he could finish what he started.

Sirens sounded in the distance. A couple seconds later, a police car pulled up, and an officer jumped out. It caught Treasure off-guard to see a car instead of a golf cart, but then she remembered that only police and utility vehicles were allowed on the island. The officer jogged over to them and looked down at Leo. “Sheriff Russell is on his way,” he said as he cuffed Leo and hauled him to his feet.

There was a deputy assigned to the island. Treasure figured it was this guy.

“His knife is around here somewhere.” Greer scoured the ground with his eyes.

“We’ll get it,” the officer said as he led Leo to his patrol car.

“Is that man Leo Clark?” Greer asked.

Treasure nodded.

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