The Girls in the Snow (Nikki Hunt #1) - Stacy Green Page 0,107
the room until the gun was just a few inches from Nikki’s face. “This isn’t an air gun. And I’m pretty sure I won’t miss at this range.”
How quick were Mindy’s reflexes? Would she be able to react and pull the trigger before Nikki slammed the bar against her head?
“Think about your little girl,” Mindy said. “Do you want her to grow up without a mother? You know how that feels, don’t you?”
Nikki dropped the bar, shaking with anger.
“Good,” Mindy said. “Bobby, stop crying and use the bungee cord to tie her hands.”
Bobby obeyed, blood congealing at the end of his nose. He looped the nylon cord around Nikki’s wrists until her circulation was nearly cut off and then tied it.
“I’ve got zip ties in the kitchen.” Mindy looked at her. “Start walking.”
Forty-Nine
Nikki’s legs ached as she stumbled down the stairs sandwiched between Mindy and Bobby. Mindy seemed to vibrate with rage. Bobby was still her best shot at getting out of this alive. A part of him knew what he’d done was wrong. Mindy had already passed that point. She only cared about her family’s survival. Her son was all she had left, and Nikki knew she would do anything for him. Just like she would do anything to protect Lacey.
Lacey wasn’t going to grow up without a mother. Nikki would find a way to get out of this, no matter the cost.
Bobby zip-tied her wrists behind her back and then used the bungee cord to pin her to one of the kitchen chairs. “What are we going to do with her?”
“Take her with us. Get rid of her somewhere she won’t be found.”
Bobby held an ice pack to his nose and stared at his mother. “You’re going to kill an FBI agent?” he whispered.
“I’m going to do whatever it takes to keep you safe,” Mindy snapped. “That’s what I’ve been doing the entire time. I won’t let our lives be destroyed like the Todd family. Do you know what it’s been like for those poor people? They were pariahs for years, and John Banks had everything.”
“Mark Todd is innocent,” Bobby said. “I’m not.”
“That girl seduced you,” Mindy replied, more to herself than her son. “Madison pushed you too far. She apparently didn’t care that her father ruined so many lives.”
“But won’t I be just like him?” Bobby said. “If I run off and let someone take the fall—even if it’s John Banks—aren’t I doing the exact same thing?”
“Yes,” Nikki interrupted. “No one has more reason to hate John Banks than me. But I can bring him to justice. Bobby, I can get you a reduced sentence if you help me. The truth comes out and everyone is free. But not like this.”
Mindy rolled her eyes. “Surely you aren’t that naive? Without my husband’s side of the story, how are we to prove how John’s actions affected our family?”
“All of the evidence is there. If the defense lays it out just right, it will be obvious to everyone in the room that Bobby never had a chance.”
“Bobby killed two teenaged girls,” Mindy snapped. “No one’s going to give him a pass for having a shitty life.”
“One,” Nikki corrected. “You knew Madison was still breathing when you put her into the freezer, didn’t you?”
Mindy looked at her son. “She wasn’t.”
“She had frostbite,” Nikki said. “She died in that freezer, which makes you an accessory at the least. But the prosecutor will charge you with second-degree murder. I’ve seen Kaylee’s body and her autopsy. There’s no sign she was raped or beaten. She was strangled, but a good defense attorney can make the case for your son—”
“We can’t afford a defense attorney,” Mindy spat. “Just be quiet and let me think.”
“Mom, if we kill her, we’ll never be safe. We’ll be on the most wanted list by tomorrow.”
Nikki glanced at the microwave clock. Almost eight p.m. Time to tell Lacey good night. She swallowed the rising knot in her throat. Liam had to know something was wrong. And Rory expected her at his house tonight. Her jeep had specialized plates and she’d parked right in front of the Vances’ house.
Bobby seemed to read her mind. “I put her car in the garage. We leave her tied up and run, right now. By the time she’s found, we’ll be long gone.”
“And still be wanted by the FBI. That’s a done deal no matter what we do with her.”
“At least we won’t be wanted for killing her. Canada’s only a few hours away.”