Page 66 of Risk Assessment
Still struggling to breath, she tried to stand and move back toward the stairwell. He grabbed her around her throat with one arm and forced the needle into her neck with the other. She tried to fight, but her limbs were getting heavy.
“There now. Just relax.”
Her vision was blurring. She tried to hit him, but her arms flailed weakly. Her body stopped cooperating, and she was having trouble staying upright.
“That’s right. Just let the ketamine take over,” he said in soothing tones as she tried to fight but couldn’t. Her feet were lead blocks, and then her legs gave way beneath her.
He caught her and laid her down on the floor. “There we are, darling. I am sorry about this next part, but people won’tunderstand, and they will ask questions. I don’t really have time for that, so we’ll go for a quick ride, and I’ll be back in time for the reception. You, my love, will miss it. You’ll be wearing your lovely dress for our own little party later.” He smiled and patted her cheek.
She wasn’t fully out. She stayed still, hoping she could regain her strength. Though she was awake, she couldn’t move. Couldn’t scream. Couldn’t do anything but flutter her eyelids.
The organ stopped, and Raleigh heard a scraping sound and then the sound of the door opening. He’d locked the fire door.
She wanted to scream but couldn’t make more than a few mewling sounds. The door closed and she was alone. She tried to move to make a sound but her body wouldn’t function and then the door opened again and Josh came in and then hovered over her.No. Please God no.
Josh took Raleigh’s cell phone out of her purse and left it under one of the pews. Then he smoothed out his clothing and pasted a polite smile on his face. He couldn’t believe his good fortune. He’d been worried about trying to get Raleigh into the little side chapel so he could smuggle her out to his car, but she’d wandered in on her own. She’d known his plan and made it easy for him. She could read his every thought. They were perfect for one another.
He looked at his own cell phone and sighed. He would love to leave it all behind, but he needed Calvin Clark just a bit longer. If Calvin couldn’t reach him, he would become suspicious. He wasn’t worried about anyone linking him to Raleigh. He’d done a masterful job of hiding their relationship.
He was also prepared for the inevitable questions when Raleigh turned up missing. Lydia would be livid, but he would tell her he found Raleigh in the little chapel and she had been so upset about her fight with her boyfriend, she’d gone home. It would damage Raleigh’s career, but he was confident he could smooth that over later. She wasn’t going to need her job much longer. He would tell Raleigh what to say to make it right. Maybe Dylan hit her. He smiled for real this time. He liked that approach. He, of course, would have to rough her up a bit to make it believable.
He opened the door. His car was parked right there, two steps away with the trunk open. There was a small cluster of limo drivers off to the left, but they couldn’t see over his trunk lid. He closed the door and picked up Raleigh then he reopened the door, took two steps and deposited his sweet little Raleigh into his trunk. The organ stopped but he kept humming. He murmured, “Here comes the bride,” as he closed and then patted the trunk lid.
It would be better if he was at the church when the wedding was over, but he needed to get Raleigh settled, and she looked so pretty in her dress. He frowned as he climbed behind the wheel and started the engine. Calvin would be looking for him, no doubt. The man was an imbecile. There was no way he could be mayor without Josh helping him. He drove quickly to his destination.
He parked his car and retrieved Raleigh from his trunk. He swung her over his shoulder and started down the slope. It was much more difficult because of his foot. He hadn’t expected her to fight, and her sudden attack had taken him by surprise.
There was a path of sorts, but it was in disarray. Not many people came here, which was excellent for him. He made an abrupt left and headed down another overgrown trail.
After he arrived at his destination, he glanced around to make sure he hadn’t been seen. He mounted the stairs making sure he didn’t bump Raleigh too much. That nastiness at the church had been her fault. He was willing to overlook it, even her hurting his foot. After all, he’d surprised her. He wanted her to think he was a gentleman. Also, if he were truthful, it wouldn’t be optimal if he had to FaceTime with his soon to be in-laws and Raleigh had visible bruises.
The door swung open at his touch.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Dylan burst into the chapel, but it was empty. Where the hell had Raleigh gone? Skirting all the pews, he ran to the side fire door. His palms slapped hard on the heavy steel door, and he tumbled outside. The parking lot while filled with cars, was empty of people.
He’d only been a minute or so behind her. Could Josh really have gotten away so fast? If he hadn’t have gotten caught up with the old ladies in the stairs, Dylan would have had her. He couldn’t believe he fucked up so badly. He pulled out his phone and called Gabe.
“I lost her.” Dylan hurried back into the chapel. “I was following her in the church and there was a group of old ladies on the stairs. One of them started to fall and I grabbed her and then they wouldn’t let me go. Josh has her. I know it.”
“It happens, brother. Call her cell and see if she picks up. I’ll have Jaxon run a trace on it.”
“Will do.” Dylan hung up and dialed Raleigh’s number. He heard it ring on his phone and then a beat later in the chapel. His heart sank. He followed the sound and found it under a pew.Now how was he going to find her? Would Josh keep his cell? He called Gabe back. “Can you have your guy trace Josh’s cell?
“Yes. We have his number. We’re tracing it now. Stand by.”
Dylan sank onto a pew, his heart so high in his throat that breathing was difficult. He forced himself to calm the fuck down. He put his head in his hand, the phone still pressed to one ear while he waited for Gabe to get back on. It only took seconds, but Dylan aged ten years while in limbo.
Gabe came back on the line. “Josh’s cell is showing he’s in the hills just at the edge of the resort’s property. I’ll send you a screen shot.”
Dylan’s phone dinged. He looked at the picture and went out the fire door and ran across the parking lot.
“I’m calling the local PD and asking them to send backup. Call me when you find them. I’m on my way and I’m bringing reinforcements.”
Dylan didn’t respond. He just hung up the phone started his pick-up. He was risking everything just like he’d done with Georgie.
Georgie. The look of horror on the little boy’s face as he was falling was seared into Dylan’s mind. Georgie’s screams haunted his dreams.
