Page 94 of Noble Neighbor
Nala’s sharp barks alerted them to a vehicle arriving.
Finally.
Oliver moved to the front door, eager for answers. The rideshare — Clearbrook’s only offering in a taxi service — pulled up as he opened the door.
“What the hell,” he muttered, making his not entirelysteady way across the porch.
He idly noted to himself how his language had deterioratedof late. Tomorrow he’d try harder, but his immediate recognition of the man hauling an overnight bag from the trunk ensured today was not the day.
“Is that who I think it is?” his father asked, coming to stand beside him.
“Alerick fucking Delaney,” Oliver snapped before storming down the stairs, stopping mere feet from the brother-in-law of the man who’d killed Christie. “Is this some sick joke?”
*
Four-and-a-half years ago …
And that was that, Savannah thought with a mixtureof regret and satisfaction, ending the call from her lawyer.Her satisfaction stemmed from the security ofhaving enough money to build a new future. The“Savannah” clothing line sale concluded; the proceeds transferred to the offshore account she’d set up. Regretbecause she really loved the fashion industry but stayingin the public eye was impossible.
All she needed now was to figure what to do with the rest of her life. It was time for her and the girls to settle somewhere obscure — far from prying eyes and the notoriety of being the wife and children of a serial killer.
Five months after that horrible time, they were still hounded.
Just last week, one of her cousins had caught areporter sneaking around the ranch. Not even Wind River was remote enough to hide from the bloodsuckers.
Her gaze shot to the rearview mirror, narrowing as she studied the vehicle behind. It had trailed her since town, but till now the driver had kept back and she’d brushed aside the notion of someone following her.
Savannah accelerated, but the truck closed the distance,moving dangerously nearer. “What is the fool doing?” she muttered. It was raining, for goodness’ sake. The roads were extra slick. And the switchback was coming up. She needed to slow down — as did the driver behind her — else both vehicles would go over the bluff.
It was something she had to prevent at all cost.
Her girls were in the car with her.
Lightly tapping the brakes, she hoped the driver would get the hint and reduce speed.
The vehicle touched her bumper, and the Mercedes lurched forward. “Shit.”
“That’s a bad word, Mommy,” Kate sing-songed.
Apprehension slithered through Savannah. The driver behind meant harm. She had to get away.
“Kate, listen to Mommy carefully. We’re going toplay a game, honey. It’s a very important game, okay?”
“Okay, Mommy,” Kate replied, excited.
“Are you properly strapped in?”
“Yes.”
“Good. This game … it’s like hide-and-seek. I want you to take Mary’s blanket and wrap it around her body and face.”
“Okaaay. But how will Mary breathe?”
“She’ll be fine for a few minutes, honey.”
Keeping an eye on the road, Savannah reached to the seat beside her and grabbed her rain jacket. She pushed it to the back. “Now, listen again. Take Mommy’s jacket, wrap it aroundyourbody and face, and holdverytight to your seat belt.”
“But why?”
