Chapter 35
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Raleigh! “Did you hear that?” Dylan asked through his earbud.
“Affirmative,” Gabe nodded.
Josh was yelling again. Raleigh didn’t have much longer because this clearly wasn’t going the way Josh had planned.
“Things are deteriorating. Local LEOs are still too far out.” The sirens were audible, but he’d guess they were still a good five to seven minutes from being on the scene and able to react.
“We go on your word,” Gabe said.
Dylan listened for the sirens again but it was no good. He was going to have to intervene. He knew in his heart that he was over what happened to Georgie. It was not his fault. He would have no problem kicking down doors again. “I’m going in.”
Josh’s broken rantings were audible through the wooden door. Raleigh’s time was up. He just prayed she’d be okay.
Staying low, Dylan left the shelter of the cabin’s wall and ran across the path and through the scrub. He moved down until he was opposite the cabin Raleigh and Josh were in. He dashed across the open ground and came quietly up the far side of the porch. He did a quick peek in the window.
Josh was against the back wall with one arm banded around Raleigh’s shoulders while the other hand pressed a wicked serrated knife to her throat.
Dylan took a deep breath and moved to the door. He slowly pushed it open with his left hand and tightened his grip on the gun in his right.
Josh ducked his head down behind Raleigh’s and put the knife right against Raleigh’s skin. “Drop your gun or I’ll kill her. I mean it! Drop your weapon!”
“I can’t do that, Josh. Not while you’re holding that knife.” Dylan spoke calmly, in an even tone.
“Put it down!” Josh yelled again.
“Raleigh, are you okay?” Dylan asked. Their gazes locked.
Raleigh’s panic filled eyes speared at his heart. He would not let her down. She tried to speak but Josh dug the knife in against her skin. A thin line of blood appeared on her vulnerable skin. She bit her bottom lip and nodded.
“Josh, I know you don’t want to kill Raleigh. I bet you love her. That’s what the flowers and notes were all about.”
“What do I care if she lives or dies?” he snarled. “She lied to me. She keeps making stupid mistakes that cause problems. This whole mess is her fault!”
“I hear you. Women are like that. They make a mess of things. That’s why they need us to take care of things. Clean up their messes.”
Dylan noted Raleigh’s frown. She had to know he was just trying to appease Josh. He locked gazes with her again and tried to send her the message. Just hang in there.
Her skin was alabaster, her pupils were abnormally large, and her wrists were restrained in front of her waist. Her feet were splayed at an unnatural angle, as if she had no muscle control. Was there something wrong with her? Could she move her limbs? What the hell had Josh given her?
He tried again. “You wanted to help Raleigh, didn’t you? You wanted to help her be the best that she could be. She was going to help you too, wasn’t she?” He moved sideways out of the doorway.
“Yes! It was going to be perfect! Why did she have to ruin it?”
“Josh, women are just a pain in the butt. They tell you they want one thing, but really, they want something else entirely. I mean, who can figure them out?” Sorry, Raleigh.
Josh’s head peeked out from behind Raleigh’s a bit.
“I think you were just going along, doing your thing, and Raleigh here tripped you up. It’s her fault you’re in this mess, right? You’re a smart guy. You had it all figured out. You were helping Calvin get elected. You’re his right-hand man.”
Josh’s head came up a little bit more. “I’m going to be his Deputy Mayor once he gets elected.”
“Clark’s been singing your praises the entire weekend.”
“Ha! You lie!” Josh’s head disappeared behind Raleigh’s. “Now drop the gun or I’ll kill her!”
“Okay, Josh,” Dylan put both hands out. “I’ll put my gun down. No need to hurt Raleigh.” He didn’t think it was possible, but Raleigh’s eyes got bigger and her skin turned paper white.
Dylan bent down slowly, keeping his hands in plain sight, holding the butt of the gun.
Gabe and Connor were on either side of the door on the porch and Jaxon was by the window.
If Josh moved to hurt Raleigh, Dylan knew his team would take the shot if they had it.
He hated that scenario, but the end goal was to make sure Raleigh was fine, whatever that took.
He had to put his gun down. He placed it on the floor.
“Kick it over here.”
Dylan nodded. He kicked the gun so it went in the far corner, about seven feet from Josh.
“You did that on purpose!” Josh dug the knife into the Raleigh’s throat a bit more. A drop of blood started to run down the blade.
Dylan cursed silently. Raleigh’s body was quaking.
“No, Josh. I didn’t aim well. I wasn’t very good at soccer.
” He took a breath and tried again. “Seriously, Calvin told Bill right in front of me what a great job you’re doing for him.
The only reason he treats you like crap is because he’s afraid you’ll run for mayor and beat him at his own game.
He made Bill promise to support him and not you. You’ve got him on the ropes.”
Josh looked up again, giving Dylan a view of one eye and the top of his head.
The team needed to have a clear shot if it came to that. Dylan glanced at Raleigh. She was still pale but her hands weren’t shaking as visibly and she seemed to be able to move her limbs better. Maybe whatever Josh gave her was wearing off.
Josh eyed Dylan. He moved the knife a fraction closer to Raleigh’s throat.
Dylan’s gut churned. He couldn’t lose Raleigh. Not now. This weekend with her had made him realize so much. He would not lose her even if it meant Josh had to die.
“Josh, I think you should run for mayor and make Clark your deputy or, better yet, run him out of town. I know he’s been up to his old tricks again.
You’ve been covering for him, but I think it’s time you told the truth.
If you tell people what he’s been up to, harassing all those women, then you’ll be the hero and you’ll win the election for mayor by a landslide.
Now is your moment. It wouldn’t surprise me if Bill Harris switched to supporting you! ”
Josh’s head came up a bit more, and the knife eased back a bit from Raleigh’s throat.
“You’re lying,” Josh called out, but his voice wasn’t as firm as before.
“No, Josh, I’m telling the God’s honest truth.
Once Bill has to admit Clark is scum, he’d switch his to support you.
As a matter of fact, I think you have a good chance of getting the current administration to support you as well.
Isn’t the mayor almost ready to retire? If she finds out you’re running, she’ll go for sure.
She won’t want to run against you. She knows how smart you are at dealing with stuff. ”
Josh straightened up. His grip on Raleigh loosened a fraction more. “Yes! We worked together on a project earlier this year.”
Patience was key. Dylan couldn’t move too fast. He wanted his team to have a clear shot.
Dylan bluffed a bit longer. “She said. Really Josh. This is your moment. I can feel it. Can’t you?” Raleigh had shifted her weight away from Josh. It was subtle but it was there. She definitely able to move much better than when Dylan first arrived.
Josh didn’t seem to notice the shift in Raleigh’s stance. His head came out a bit more.
“I have a shot.” Jaxon said through the earbud.
Dylan gave a slight negative shake of his head. God help him, but he didn’t want Josh to die. Not if he didn’t have to. He’d been down this road with his mom. Mental illness is not something someone should die from. Josh needed help. Dylan just had to talk him down. He could do this.
“There’s still time for you to make the reception. It would be a big opportunity for you. You could swing a lot of votes your way.”
Josh tilted his head. The knife moved further from Raleigh’s neck. The sirens grew louder and suddenly the sound of skidding tires and slamming car doors filled the room.
“But they won’t let me leave!” he yelled and tucked back in behind Raleigh.
Fuck! Dylan worked on keeping his voice even.
“Yes, they will. They aren’t going to stop the next mayor of Bedford Hills from going somewhere.
It would mean their jobs. The cops aren’t stupid Josh.
As a matter of fact, the police chief is at the reception.
This could be your opportunity to get him on board. ”
Josh’s head popped out again. “Will the governor be there? I thought I saw his helicopter land earlier.”
Dylan blinked. “Yes, he just arrived. Honestly, this is a great opportunity for you. A chance to chat with the governor about all the great things you’re going to do in Bedford Hills. You really shouldn’t miss it.”
Josh stood up straight. The knife was several inches from Raleigh’s throat.
“Josh, why don’t you go to the party and leave Raleigh here with me. She’s not looking so good. This is your moment. She’ll just hold you back at this point. You don’t need her.”
Josh glanced at Raleigh and then looked down at his suit.
“Don’t worry, Josh, you look great. I’m sure you can dash back to your room and clean up if you feel you need to.”
“Yes, well, I could use a quick clean up.” His eyes narrowed. “How do I know you’re telling the truth and the cops won’t detain me?”
Dylan held up his hand. “I swear, they won’t.” Josh didn’t appear to be convinced. His mouth flattened into a straight line. “See this, Josh?” He turned his head slightly so Josh could see his earbud. “I’m connected to the officers outside. I’ll tell them now to let you through. Does that work?”
The knife wavered in Josh’s grip.
Dylan moved his hand slowly up toward his ear and pressed his earbud. “This is Dylan. Josh is coming out now. He’s on his way to the reception. Let him go. Unless he wants a ride. He’s a VIP so you might want to use lights and sirens.”