Chapter 5
5
T essa turned slowly, looking around the small cabin. The dim light from the porch filtered through the window, throwing long shadows across the room. A stone fireplace dominated one corner, the faint scent of a previous fire lingering in the air. On the mantel was a collection of fishing lures and reels neatly lined up.
In front of it was a sofa, a couple of small tables, and a single chair. If there was a television, she didn’t see it.
The kitchen was small but big enough to hold a two-person table. A few cabinets lined one wall, with a stove and refrigerator separated by a stainless-steel sink on the other. She tried the faucet. Cool water spilled out.
There was a door off the living room, and Tessa peeked in.
The bedroom contained a king-size bed covered with a dark duvet, a small side table with a lamp, and a closet—no room for anything else.
Across from the bedroom was a tiny bathroom, again with just the basics. Whoever lived here wasn’t entertaining guests or worrying about creature comforts, that was for sure. But it had electricity and water, which was more than a lot of cabins had, and was empty, which was more than she hoped for.
She sank into the sofa in the dark, listening to the rain on the roof, her body coiled with tension. Occasionally, she’d peek outside into the black night. No headlights, no movement at all.
Tessa wanted to relax and hoped that she lost her tail. She must have, otherwise Marty would already be banging on the door.
Her heart was thumping. Then her stomach growled.
How long had it been since she ate?
Aside from the protein bar she consumed a few hours ago, she couldn’t remember.
Probably yesterday’s breakfast before everything went to hell. There had been no time to pack any food, and she didn’t want to stop to buy anything.
Stumbling into the kitchen, she opened a cabinet. Then let out a deep breath. It was too dark to see anything. Maybe she could chance one light. Her stomach rumbled again.
On the wall was a light switch that she flipped on. A soft glow illuminated the area over the sink, allowing her to look in the cabinets. She rummaged through the first cabinet—plates, mugs, a couple of glasses, some silverware. The second one revealed staples like flour, sugar, and coffee. Her frustration grew as she opened another cabinet.
Score! A jar of peanut butter. Looking behind a row of dusty canned vegetables and fruit, she found a package of crackers, sealed and slightly crushed. Dinner.
Tessa brought her stash over to the sofa and placed everything on the coffee table. She tore open the package of crackers and picked up the butter knife she found to spread them with peanut butter. As she chewed, Tessa couldn’t stop the terror swirling in her mind. When her belly was finally full, she lay down on the sofa and covered her eyes with her arm.
One month ago.
Tessa stood in the corner of the bustling nightclub, the floor humming with the beat of a popular band’s music.
The men wore sleek tailored suits, and the women had on chic cocktail dresses and jewelry—lots of diamonds and gold jewelry.
The air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and the sound of clinking glasses and laughter as the charity event hit its stride.
Hors d’oeuvres were passed around on silver trays by servers, while the tables were covered in black linens adorned with candles and floral centerpieces. They set up a silent auction in one corner featuring luxury vacations, pieces of art, and other items for people to bid on. Guests flowed through the dimly lit space, congratulating her on a job well done.
But something was off.
Damien was huddled in the far corner talking to Marty with his back to her. They were deep in a serious conversation. Damien was angry. He kept slicing the air with his hands. Tessa was curious.
Was something wrong with the event?
She could fix it, but he had to tell her what it was.
Tessa’s chest tightened. As she approached, the two men went into Damien’s office and closed the door. The music and laughter faded into the background as she raised her fist to knock on the door, but harsh voices stopped her.
“I don’t care that he has a family. Kill him,” Damien growled.
Tessa froze and shrank back into the shadows. Her pulse thundered in her chest. The happy chatter of the guests was in sharp contrast to the evil she sensed. What was Damien talking about? Why did he sound so dangerous? This wasn’t the man she shared dinners with, who kissed her goodbye each morning as he headed off to “business meetings.” Now she wondered if they were indeed business meetings or something else— something sinister .
Damn. It was quiet—too quiet.
Tessa jolted upright. Her heart pounded as she cocked her ears. A chill crept down her spine. The rain had stopped. The night was eerily silent.
She hadn’t meant to fall asleep and certainly hadn’t meant to relive her nightmare.
However, that was behind her. Today was another day. She was safe for the time being. Tessa yawned. Could she chance taking a nap in the bedroom?
She removed the chair hugging the door and brought in the small suitcase she’d hurriedly packed. After determining there was hot water, she chanced a shower, put on clean clothes and ate a few more crackers with peanut butter and felt almost human again.
Tessa didn’t dare turn on her phone. She had read that someone could track it. She didn’t think Damien could do that, but then again, she’d been wrong about him once, and look where that got her.
Glancing around the cabin, she found a few books on a shelf. They were a combination of mysteries, guns, hunting, a fishing guide and one on old Florida that seemed interesting. Reading would help fill her time.
The day went by slowly, and by evening, when darkness came, she finished the crackers and peanut butter and ignored her still empty stomach. Tomorrow, she’d have to leave and find some place else to stay. The respite had been nice, but who knew where Marty was? At least it wasn’t raining anymore. The bed was comfortable, and she would have a good night’s sleep.
Then she’d figure out her next move.