used a black truck to run her down in the gym parking lot. Now she knew. Trevor had been on duty that day and his house was on the far side of town. He didn’t have time to get the SUV, run her over in the parking lot, and return to his house. It’d also been daylight. Trevor couldn’t risk someone seeing him driving the vehicle.
Betrayal burned her stomach, flooding her mouth with a sour taste. “How did you get your hands on Wendall’s SUV?”
“He sold it to me. I gave him enough money to live like a king in Mexico.”
Inside the vehicle, Jason shifted. He was wedged in place by the pine bough. Pain rippled across his features, and Addison felt like screaming. Jason and Connor needed medical attention. Where were the state police?
Please, Lord, I could use some help here.
“And Steven? What—”
“Enough chitchat. We’re running out of time.” He pressed the gun barrel against her head. “Where is Chloe?”
“I’m not telling you where she is, Trevor.”
“Do you think I’m a fool?” Trevor grabbed her arm hard enough to leave bruises and whirled Addison around to face him. His expression was twisted and ugly. Pure evil. “This can go one of two ways. Hard will be painful. But if you cooperate, I’ll make your death quick.”
Her head spun as darkness crept in around the edges of her vision. Addison stumbled. The edge of the door, along with Trevor’s hold on her arm, stopped her from falling. He shook her like a rag doll, with enough force to rattle her teeth.
A roar came from the Civic. Jason had lowered Connor and was shoving against the thick pine branch, but it wouldn’t budge. His face was red with the effort. “Keep your hands off her.”
Trevor laughed. “Looks like you’re in no position to help. In fact—” He raised the gun and pointed it at Jason. His eyes were dark pits in the dim lighting, his mouth twisted with malevolence.
“No!” Addison shoved Trevor. The gun fired, but the shot went wide as he stumbled back.
He came around swinging with a curse. Trevor slammed the gun into the side of her face. Pain exploded across her cheek. Addison cried out. She fell to her knees against the hard-packed earth. Her stomach heaved and small rocks bit into the tender skin of her palms.
She sucked in a breath. Then another. The left side of her rib cage was on fire. She pressed a hand to her torso and a familiar bulge pressed against her palm.
Her mace! She’d put it in the pocket of her jacket.
“Trevor, I swear on my father’s grave, I’ll make you pay for this.” Jason continued to shove against the tree branch, but it held him trapped.
Pain provided Addison with clarity. The large bough was wedged against the front passenger seat. If she shifted the chair forward, Jason might have enough room to get free.
Trevor ignored Jason’s threats. He crouched next to Addison. He was wearing the same dark clothes as the intruder in her home, but this time, hadn’t bothered with the ski mask. There was no need to. The road was empty. No one had driven past since their accident.
Her gaze lifted to the road. Wendall’s SUV rested on the edge. She shivered.
“Yes, Addy, that’s right. I’ve got it all planned out.”
He would kill them. Then he would drive to the cabin and kill Chloe. Addison took a shallow breath. “You won’t get away with it. Even if you frame Wendall, Grady believes Michael’s involved.”
“What he believes and what he can prove are two different matters. This will go better if you cooperate.” Trevor placed the barrel of the gun under her chin and used it to force her head toward him. “Where is she, Addy?”
She glared at him, fingers fumbling for the edge of her pocket. “What did Michael promise you, Trevor? The chief of police position? It’ll never work. When Grady solves this case, Michael will turn on you like a rat escaping a sinking ship.”
He smirked. “Okay, have it your way.”
He rose and walked over to the Honda. He raised his gun and pointed it at Jason.
Addison’s heart stopped. She struggled to her feet. “Don’t.”
“Then tell me where she is, or I’ll shoot him. First in the arm, then the leg. Ever been shot, Addy? It’s excruciating.”
“I’ll tell you.” Addison let the panic thrumming through her bleed into her voice. She met Jason’s gaze briefly and then glanced at the front passenger seat. She hoped it