Page 60 of Scent of Fear

Bryce trotted over and then dropped into a tall sitting position directly in front of her. The woman reared back, as if fearing he’d lunge forward. Bryce simply sat there, staring up at her, clearly waiting for his next command.

“Don’t move or I’ll order him to attack.” It was mostly an empty threat, but there wasn’t time to waste. Shane darted into the bedroom where Marvin Tolliver waited. He pulled his knife and quickly slit through the twine around his wrists.

“Wh-who are you?” Marvin stammered.

“Shane Sullivan and I’m here with my K9, Bryce.” He helped the older man to his feet. “There isn’t time to explain everything. We need to move. Libby is in trouble.”

“My fault.” Distress filled Marvin’s eyes. “It’s all my fault!”

“We know about the robbery. Can you walk?” Shane debated leaving the old man here so that he could get to Libby. “Come on, we need to hurry.”

“Yes. I can walk.” He had to admire the older man’s determination.

Shane picked up the twine he’d cut from Marvin’s wrists and carried it to the kitchen. The woman he assumed was Engler’s wife was sitting as far back in the chair as possible, shaking with fear. He’d feel guilty about scaring her, if not for the fact that she was involved in this up to her neck.

It didn’t take him long to bind her wrists together. “Get back, Bryce,” he commanded. “Get back.”

The dog stood and backed away from the chair, although Bryce’s dark eyes continued watching his quarry. If she tried anything, Bryce would be back on her in a heartbeat.

Marvin had helped himself to a drink of water as he’d worked. He had no idea how much food or water they’d provided the older man, and that concerned him.

“You okay?” Shane asked.

“I’ll make it. Let’s go.” Marvin wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

“Come, Bryce.” Shane headed back outside with Bryce and Marvin following behind. He wanted to rush toward the SUV but knew it was likely the gunman was holding Libby hostage.

Shane grimly hoped it wouldn’t come down to a demand to give one hostage up for another. Because if he was put in that position, he’d want to protect Libby at all costs.

Yet sacrificing Marvin meant Libby would never forgive him.

“This way.” He tugged Marvin’s arm so that they were heading into the woods but at an angle that would take them closer to the road. The best way to avoid the hostage swap was to minimize the options.

He urged Marvin toward a cluster of trees. The old man was breathing heavily, and they’d barely gone twenty yards.

Not good. Shane gently pushed the older man to the ground. “Sit for a minute.”

Marvin shook his head stubbornly. “We have to find Libby.”

“I know where she is.” Or so he hoped. “Listen, I need you to be strong, okay?” He held Marvin’s gaze. “Eagle’s Way Road isn’t too far from here. Head due south and you’ll walk right into it.”

“That’s where Libby is?” Marvin’s expression was hopeful. So much so that he hated to disappoint the guy.

“Not exactly.” He offered a reassuring smile. “But my siblings Alexis and Joel are on their way. Just wait for them at the road, okay? I’ll take Bryce to find Libby.”

Realization finally dawned. “You want me out of the way.”

“Yes, I do.” Shane wasn’t going to lie. “And just as important, I want you to be safe. So please, move at your own pace through the trees until you reach the road. Then find a spot to stay well hidden until you see the two K9 SUVs. You’ll be able to see the crates in the back for their respective dogs. Run out into the road and wave them down. Understand?”

“Yes.” Marvin waved a hand. “Go. Hurry!”

“Come, Bryce.” Shane squelched a flash of guilt at leaving Marvin to make his own way out of there. As he moved quickly through the woods in a parallel path toward the SUV, he was hit by a fresh wave of fear over Libby’s fate.

He couldn’t bring himself to think the worst. Much the way Libby had clung to hope regarding her grandfather still being alive, he did the same thing now.

With his compass as a guide, he traversed the wooded land as quickly yet silently as possible. When he heard voices, he froze and gave Bryce the hand signal to stop.

“Scream, for real this time,” a deep voice said.

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