39. Chapter 39
Chapter 39
Elise
“ Y ou don’t have to do this,” I called to Pete who trotted a few paces behind me on the trail. “I could give you twenty-four hours before I tell the police what’s going on. That should be enough time to book a plane ticket somewhere and disappear with your family."
Slowing, I glanced back at him. We’d been jogging uphill on this trail for at least twenty minutes, and the guy had hardly broken a sweat. Technically, I was capable of a much faster pace as well, but I was in no hurry to die.
“Keep movin’,” he said, waving his gun.
How had we not come across a single person yet? The jacket Pete kept tied around his waist was probably to hide the weapon from sight, but maybe if we saw someone, I could convince them that I was in trouble.
“Please, God, help me to make it out of this alive. Please send help,” I prayed.
Dylan
Look at me, driving like a boss and scoring a police escort. Adrenaline buzzed around my head like a bee trapped inside a vacuum. I absolutely had to get to Elise, and nobody, not even a bunch of cops, was going to stop me. I cranked up my tunes and tried to tell myself that it was alright if I got arrested when this was all over. For now, it was a good thing that a few extra policemen followed me to where Pete had taken Elise, right?
Behind me, lights flashed. This cop had been tailing me ever since I ran that red light two miles ago, and a few streets back, a second police car had joined him. I was so dead when this was all over, but that didn’t matter if we saved Elise.
Things got interesting once we got into the canyon and hit the curves. Although it wasn’t my first time getting a car up on two wheels, it was my first time watching a cop do it. One more thing to add to my growing list of reasons why I was in so much trouble. If Mom didn’t kill me—did they still tell your parents that you broke a million laws when you turned nineteen? —they’d lock me in a cell for life, which would be fine, as long as it wasn’t the same cell as Pete.
Or maybe they should lock me up with Pete. If they took away all his murder paraphernalia, then we could have a good old fashioned street fight. Just two guys and their fists. After all he’d done to Elise, I’d be happy to break my knuckles against that jerk’s face. Maybe give him a swift kick to the groin as well. Usually, that wasn’t cool, but there had to be some sort of exception for pussballs who murdered their best friends, then went after their daughters.
Honk!
I swerved in time to avoid being creamed by an oncoming semi. Sorry, dude, I guess I got distracted plotting the destruction of my girlfriend’s kidnapper. It could have happened to anyone.
Wait, was Elise my girlfriend? She wouldn’t be much of anything if I didn’t hurry.
Crouching deeper into my seat, I stepped on the gas.
When my tires skidded into the trailhead lot, there were no parking spots left. Every one of them was taken up by police cars… and Pete’s truck. I was right. Problem was they had a good head start and were probably a lot fitter than most of the people here.
I parked right behind Pete. Try getting out now, slimeball. A hand caught my arm before I was fully out of the car, and Fulsom jerked me around to face him.
“You stupid punk kid, don’t run off when I’m talkin’ to you. And don’t keep driving when a cop tries to pull you over. You’ll be lucky if you don’t rot in prison after this.”
My arm was definitely going to have bruises after the way this guy was squeezing me, but who cared? “You beat me here. How’d you do it?”
“By not driving like a chicken with my head cut off.” Fulsom’s face was red, and spit flew from his lips.
“Whatever, bro. I’m just happy you’re here. See Pete’s truck; I was right.”
The detective released his grip on me, shaking his head. “The only reason you aren’t in handcuffs right now is because your story checks out, and your friend needs you. Make one more boneheaded move, and I will personally book your stay in jail. Understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
Fulsom skewered me with an angry stare before going on. “Now I understand that Pete Atwater and Elise Sudbury are both runners. Is it safe to assume that they would be in good enough physical condition to run this trail?”
I grimaced. “Yes. Can we hurry this up? They already have a huge head start.”
“Are you familiar with this trail, Mr. Harper?”
If this conversation took more than thirty seconds, I was going to bolt onto the trailhead. They’d have to catch me before they could cuff me. I didn’t spend multiple hours in the gym and on the track every day for nothing.
“I’ve hiked it a few times. I also know where Elise’s Mom’s ashes are scattered, on the far side of the lake, along the ridge. That’s where Pete’s taking her. He wants to make her death look like a dramatic suicide, so he’s taking her to her mother’s grave, then killing her. "I shook out my legs and arms like I did every time I stepped up to a starting line.
Hold on Elise, I’m coming for you.
“Hold it there, hero.” Fulsom caught me by the shoulder, then shouted, “Hey, Wyath, Ellison, over here.”
Two men in shorts wearing bulletproof vests jogged over. “Dylan, this is Sergeant Wyath and Officer Ellison. Both of them are runners. Ellison just finished a marathon last month, I believe. The taller of the two men gave a nod. From here on out, you will take your orders from Sergeant Wyath. You don’t so much as sneeze without his permission, got it?”
I rolled my eyes and nodded all at the same time. Can we get going already?
The shorter man with permanent frown lines stepped forward. “We’re taking a huge risk on you. Don’t blow it by acting stupid.” He gave my jittery legs a pointed look.
“Fine, can we go?”
“As long as we have one thing straight. You stay behind me at all times.”
I gave the guy’s form a once over. He had defined muscles and a pair of calves that could crush a soda can between their divots. Worked for me.