“From prison, my dear.”

“Did you . . . did you hurt Stephanie?”

“Not directly. I don’t believe in harming innocent people. But she got in the way and had to be dealt with.”

“Did you tell somebody to hurt her?”

“I’m not discussing that. Go over to—”

“No!” Kayla was angry now. “Not until you tell me what’s going on. What did Stephanie ever do to you?”

“Nothing. I regret what happened to her—but she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“Like I was?”

His tone softened. “I never wanted to hurt you, Kayla.”

“But you’re going to, aren’t you?” She choked out the question. “Just tell me why. Please. I trusted you. I thought you were a good person.”

As Cate listened to the exchange, she tried to jump-start her numb brain.

No go.

All she knew was that if she went down into that hole in the ground, she could lose her sanity as well as her life.

“I am a good person. Haven’t I spent my life doing everything I can for those who seek help?”

“Yes. That’s why none of this makes any sense.”

“It will. Eventually. Move over to the cistern.”

“What if I don’t? Are you going to shoot me?”

“Only if you leave me no choice.”

He hauled her toward the opening.

As they drew closer, Cate fought down her panic. This would be their sole opportunity to overpower him. They had to go for it—and take their chances.

She locked gazes with Kayla. Despite the darkness, the other girl seemed to read her expression—and dipped her head.

Cate took a deep breath. Curled her fingers. Filled her lungs.

“Now!”

She raced toward the twosome six feet away.

Kayla twisted in Wilson’s grasp.

Cate dived for his legs.

They all went down in a heap of thrashing limbs, accompanied by grunts and groans—until a loud pop ricocheted through the trees, defiling the quiet night.

There was a scream.

Cate froze.

And everything went silent as death.

His phone began to vibrate, and Zeke pulled it out of the insulated jacket that didn’t have sufficient padding to keep the bitter cold at bay despite periodic bursts of warmth from the heater.

Please, let this be news about Cate.

He skimmed the screen . . . and his spirits sank.

It was his counterpart behind Eduardo’s house.

“Yeah?”

“Our man’s on the move. Get ready to follow.”

Zeke straightened up in his seat and turned on the engine. Could Hernandez be involved in tonight’s pickup after all?

“Which direction is he going?”

“East out of the alley. I’ve got him. Stick close in case we have to switch off. Stay on the line.”

“Affirmative.” If the guy was traveling any distance, rotating cars in the front follow position would make it harder for him to verify he had a tail.