Page 61 of Hot For You

“You do seem familiar.” She forced a smile. “Where have we met before?”

“At Jo-Jo’s.” He looked a little put off by her not remembering exactly who he was. “I bumped into you by the bathrooms.”

“Oh.” Yes, she could see the resemblance although she didn’t remember the mustache and he hadn’t worn a hat or suit. “I’m sorry. I guess I’d had one mojito too many.”

“I’m Nathan.” He pushed hair out of his eyes with one hand. She noticed his other hand was below the table. “Why don’t we go out for lunch and I’ll treat?”

“I can’t.” She offered Nathan a smile even though she didn’t feel like smiling. “I’m waiting for my—my boyfriend to get back.”

“Isn’t he gone, Carilyn?” Nathan said as he stared at her.

“Cody will be back—” She froze. “I didn’t tell you my name.”

A grin spread across Nathan’s face as he put both hands on the table. Something small and black was in one of his stubby-fingered hands and he wore a silver ring with a blue stone. “I know a lot about you, Carilyn Thompson.”

Chills rolled over her body, her scalp prickling. “I need to go. Cody will be here any minute now.”

Nathan’s expression and his eyes grew cold. “I’ve been watching you both, Carilyn. I know he just left twenty minutes ago so I’d wager I have a minimum of an hour’s head start.”

Her gaze dropped to his hand and she looked at his ring again. She grew lightheaded as she realized it was a ring like the one the man in the video had been wearing when he’d tossed a lit match on the pile of matchsticks beneath the redheaded Barbie doll.

“Leave or I’ll scream.” Her voice shook as she clenched the tabletop with her fingers.

His grin grew more sinister as he opened his hand and laid a small, cheap cell phone on the table. “All I have to do is call a special number and your boyfriend will get blown to bits this time.”

She stared at him in horror. “Don’t. Please.”

“It all depends on you.” His eyes grew cold. “Come with me now, or I swear I’ll bring the wrath of God down on the McBrides and every other cop who’s in that warehouse right now.”

She didn’t have a choice. “Where are you taking me?”

He picked the phone up off the table, pushed his chair back, and stood. “Come on, sweet Carilyn. You’ll find out soon enough.”

Chapter 23

Excellent.

Nathan felt almost giddy with excitement as he put his arm around Carilyn’s shoulders and walked with her out of the coffee shop. He steered her to the left so that they could head out the back exit.

“Don’t give any sign that might make me want to press that speed dial number on the phone,” he said close to her ear. “Understand?”

“Yes.” She sounded stunned, her voice trembling as she looked straight ahead. “I understand.”

They walked down the hall. With his disguise, he was certain he wouldn’t be recognized if they ran into anyone. Not that anyone had ever paid him much attention to begin with.

Which was one reason why being Firebug was so much fun. He received plenty of attention now—although anonymously. He knew he’d never be caught. He was too good, too smart. It was almost a shame that no one would ever know he was the genius behind the fires…and Janice’s death.

He supposed he’d be considered a serial killer once he took care of Carilyn. He’d have to be even more careful than he already was. The FBI might be called in if they found her body. He wasn’t sure that he wanted it to be found, but he did want to make a video and put it up on YouTube, too.

Once he and Carilyn stepped through the rear exit and into the sunshine, he looked around to make sure they were alone. Still keeping his arm around her shoulders, he guided her down the sidewalk to the back of the parking lot. Carilyn slipped in mud at the edge of the sidewalk, the puddle caused by a leaking irrigation bubbler. He scowled as he caught her before she could fall, then jerked her along to a beat-up white Corolla that he’d had for years that he only used for his special “field trips”. It was the kind of vehicle that blended in and didn’t attract attention.

He opened up the back passenger side door and beckoned to her. She hesitated. He held up the phone and she hurried to slide onto the bench seat. He looked around again then pulled a zip tie out of his tweed jacket pocket.

“Give me your wrists.” She did what he told her to and was trembling as he used the zip tie to secure her.

Again he looked around as he took two handkerchiefs out of his other jacket pocket. “Scoot over,” he said and seated himself beside her when she obeyed him.

He had her bend down so that she couldn’t be seen as he gagged her. Tears rolled down her face and then he put a handkerchief blindfold on her. He worked as quickly as he could, but with his stubby fingers he wasn’t exactly deft.

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