Page 78 of Evidence of Secrets

“She needs to go to the hospital.” Laura stood up. “What’s wrong with you?”

Ryan pointed his gun at her. “There’s nothing wrong with me, but you’ll both be dead if you don’t do as I say.”

Laura looked at the gun. Her mouth was open, but no words came out.

“In the cooler. Now.” He waved the gun and nudged Jaimie’s prone body with his foot. “You don’t want me to kill her, do you?”

“Oh. God, no.”

Laura grabbed Jaimie by the arms and dragged her into the cooler. “We’ll freeze in here.”

“You better hope I find what I’m looking for fast, then.”

“You. You’re the one who struck Levi.” Laura stomped her foot. “What are you looking for? I have nothing of value here.”

“Ah, but you do. Now put out your hands like a good girl.”

Laura’s lips thinned. She was going to be disappointed if she thought she’d be getting out of the cooler before he was finished.

She put her hands out, and he zip-tied them. He pushed her down to the floor. “If you come out, I will kill you both. Understand?”

A tear dropped from her eye. Laura nodded.

Ryan stepped over her and put handcuffs on Jaimie.

He closed the freezer door and brought in the bag of tools he had placed outside the back door.

He looked at the plans again. He was sure the secret room was on the opposite wall from the wine. He hoped so. Taking the shelving off the back wall would be a pain. However, this time he was prepared if he had to.

He looked at his watch—11 a.m. Ryan gave himself two hours to find the room. Any longer, and his guests in the freezer might be dead. He hoped to be long gone before they got out and in the Caymans with the money. However, weighing millions of dollars and bearer bonds against the lives of two unimportant women in his life?

Hmmm. He’d have to think about that—later.

CHAPTERFIFTY-SIX

Hank looked at his watch. Laura was to meet him at the condo around noon. It was almost 11:30. He had enough time to pick up lunch and get there before her.

They hadn’t seen each other in a few days, and he was eager to hold her in his arms. Today, he wanted to take their relationship to the next level. He hoped Laura would say yes to moving in with him. Once that happened, he was going to propose.

“All righty then, if we have nothing more to discuss, we’re done.” Sam stood, and everyone filed out of her office. Hank hung behind.

“Something you need?” she asked.

“I just want to make sure we’re all set on that other thing I asked about,” said Hank.

Sam nodded. “Everyone’s on board. When do you plan on telling her?”

“Well, I’m seeing her in a while. I plan on asking her to move in with me and go from there.”

“Big move on your part,” said Sam. She came around the conference table and stood in front of him. “Are you very sure this is what you want? Because if you’re not…”

Hank put his hand on her shoulder. Then quickly removed it when she glared at him. He smirked. Sam didn’t.

“Sam, I’ve never been so sure in my life. I love Laura. I’m going to ask her to marry me. Does that answer your question?”

“Just checking, big guy. Remember what I told you.”

Oh yeah, he remembered Sam would protect her friend. “No worries. She’s it for me.”

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