I brace into the curve. In less than a minute, we’re pulling into a gas station with a convenience store called Kipler’s that looks like it was built around the turn of the century … the last century.
“Come with me,” Josh says, turning off the ignition.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see a woman walking away from the side of the building, giving me an idea.
“I need to go to the bathroom,” I say.
He guffaws again. “I scared the piss out of her, Ty.”
Fueled by how much I hate that he thinks that’s funny, I grab my door handle and try to get out, fumbling with the latch.
“It’s locked,” Josh says.
“Let me out,” I reply through gritted teeth.
“You need to remember, Kenzie, I have the control.”
My whole being clutches as I narrow my eyes at him. Anger won’t work with this guy, nor will tears. I need to be creative. “I’m gonna puke all over your brand-new Audi in about five seconds.”
He mumbles a curse, and the lock clicks open. I thrust my whole body at the door, somehow having the smarts to grab my purse and tear off in the direction the woman came from, praying I don’t need a key. A rusted, graffiti-covered metal door sails open when I yank the handle, the pitch-black inside only slightly less frightening than that heartless prick who drove me here.
Inside, I pat the wall frantically, looking for a light. I find one, but the bulb emits about as much light as a cell phone, leaving the room little more than shadows. I slide the lock and look around to see the floor is wet, the rust-stained sink has no hot-water handle, and the toilet might not have been flushed in the last few weeks.
I retch a little and twist the faucet to run cool water over my hands. What should I do? Get back in that car with them? Drive back another twenty miles on the hairy edge of certain death, with Josh sipping a beer?
I pull out my phone and stare at it, debating who I could call for help. Absolutely not my mother. My dad, who might be more understanding, is at work and couldn’t leave. Molly? No, she’s in class and won’t answer. One of the girls on the list? At least they’d get why I’m scared to death.
While I’m staring at it, my phone lights up, startling me. I suck in a breath at the name of the incoming caller, more in disbelief than anything.
Levi Sterling.
Without hesitation, I answer, praying he’s help and not just the devil’s other hand.
CHAPTER XX
“Kenzie, I have to talk to you.” His voice is soft, clear, and comforting. I press the phone harder to my ear, the putrid bathroom disappearing around me.
“What’s the matter?”
“We just need to talk. I have to … you have to know the truth. Before you hear anything that says otherwise.”
I’m stunned by how much the words—and the way he says them—affect me.
“What happened today?” I ask. “Did you …” Get arrested? I don’t even want to put that into words. Plus, how could he be calling me? Surely I’m not his one phone call. Or am I? “Did you talk to the police?”
“Yeah, for a few minutes.” I hear him let out a sigh and I feel relieved. “Kenzie, I barely knew Chloe. I have no idea why they’d question me.”
I believe him. Deep in my gut, in a place I trust, I believe him. Doesn’t make it right or smart, but it’s what I feel. “What did they want to know?”
“If I knew where she was that night, and where I was. I told them I was with you, at Starbucks, so they might want to talk to you next.”
Oh, Lord. That will make my mother so happy. “You were with me … for a while.”
“I went home after I left you.”
Is he lying? Or can I trust him? “Did you see that truck?” I ask.
“What truck?”
“The one in the parking lot at Starbucks. Did you see it?” If he lies, then I know he’s a liar. Because I am dead certain he saw that truck and left because of it. To meet the driver or …
“Yeah, I saw it.” His voice is low and so honest.
“Why did you lie about it?”
“Because …”
I brace on the metal door, the vile closeness of the bathroom penetrating my whole being as I wait for him to complete the explanation. When he doesn’t, I say, “I saw