Page 89 of Home Town Knight

Tingles of adrenaline shot down my spine. Hope mixing with the fury. “So that could be where Tucker found the Stillwater coins. The killer could’ve taken Gen there.”

“I can work with that,” Lynx said. Then his sharp gaze shifted to me. “No time for a warrant though, Sheriff. And I’m rusty on my US constitutional rights, because I don’t usually have to jump through those hoops. But this theory is pretty sketchy and based on info dug up illegally by a hacker.” He tilted his head at River. “No offense. A judge won’t be impressed.”

“I’m not the sheriff right now. I’m Genevieve’s Protector. No warrants, no limits. Whatever it takes. I’m going to save her, and I’m going to end this.”

Aiden clapped me on the shoulder. “Then let’s gear up and get the hell out there.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Genevieve

“Turn there,”the killer said, indicating a narrow, unpaved path branching off the road. So small I could’ve missed it.

I turned the steering wheel. I had no idea where we were, only that he was taking me deeper into the wilderness. Farther away from Owen. But that was agoodthing. Owen was safe from this maniac.

As for me, my initial fear and panic had mellowed into numbness. As if my mind was holding back all that emotion so I could focus on getting myself out of this.

I’d followed this man’s instructions so far, but I wasnotdone yet.

We’d already ditched Owen’s SUV for a Subaru hatchback that the killer had stashed nearby. He’d also forced me to take off my ballistic vest and leave my seatbelt off, while he was wearing his, which had spoiled my initial plan to crash the car. If I did, it wouldn’t be pretty. So I’d just have to come up with another strategy.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

No response.

He’d switched out his large rifle for a handgun. He worethe same cold, detached expression I’d seen after he’d killed Ace Tucker. But his other features were clearer than before. Bumps in the bridge of his nose, suggesting he’d broken it in the past. Scars near his clean-shaven chin. His hair curled over his ears, but it was swept back neatly.

The hatchback rattled on the uneven road, which was spotted with packed-down snow and ice. We were climbing in elevation. The road curved back and forth through dense evergreen trees. No sign of any buildings yet.

“Can you tell me where we’re going?”

No response.

“I’ve done what you asked. I’m scared, okay?” I squeezed the steering wheel. “Unless you want me to start freaking out, you have to tell mesomething. Please. Come on. At least a name.”

He cursed. “Fine. It’s Duke.”

It was the first time he’d spoken since the turnoff, and I jumped a little at the sound, even though I’d been goading him into a response. He had his eyes on the windshield, but I felt him watching me too. He held that gun like it was an extension of him.

“Duke,” I repeated. Saying his name made something thick and bitter gather in my throat. I wished I could spit it out. “Why did you want me to go with you?”

“You mean, why am I keeping you alive?” he asked.

My voice faltered, so I nodded.

“Because I need to know whatyouknow.”

“That’s cryptic.”

“It’s practical. I have questions, and I need a quiet place to ask them.”

A tremor ran through my hands. My palms were cold and clammy. “But you do want to kill me. Because I saw your face. I could identify you. That’s why you came after me at Last Refuge.”

He went quiet again. I ground my teeth together in frustration.

Abruptly, the dirt path ended, and pavement began. It was smooth. Well-maintained. After several more minutes of driving on the new road, I tried again.

“Did Sykes come with you to Last Refuge? He was the second intruder?”

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