He returned empty-handed, and clambered down the bank. Victoria couldn’t see what he was doing, but she heard him moving around. Metal banged on rock. Velcro ripped open. When he climbed back up to stand next to them, he held a syringe in his hand. He drew clear liquid from a bottle into the needle.

Samantha tried to worm away. He jabbed the shot into her leg. She stopped squirming. He refilled and moved to Victoria. She braced herself. The needle bit into her leg through her pants.

He pulled her toward the water. Her sight dimmed as the drugged lethargy took command, but she raised her head to look back up at the trail. It was empty. Darkness rolled over her like a blackout shade.

What had he done with Ashley?

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY

Mandy ducked behind the desk.

“Hey, Ray.” Danny’s voice boomed through the closed door. “Can I ask you a few questions?”

Mandy couldn’t hear Ray’s response. She slid the folder into her purse and quietly closed the drawer. She cracked the door a half inch and peeked through the opening. Danny had snagged Ray at the entrance to the hallway. She slipped out, closed the door silently behind her, and ducked into the ladies’ room.

She waited for the door to Ray’s office click open and closed before walking out into the hallway. Danny was leaning on the wall. A fresh cup of coffee steamed in his nonbandaged hand. He smiled. “Find anything interesting?”

“Shhh.” She hurried down the tiled corridor.

Danny fell into step behind her and whispered over her shoulder. “Well?”

She shook her head. “Not much.”

“Let’s go search his house. He probably keeps the good stuff there.”

“Breaking and entering is illegal.”

“What did you just do?” Danny asked.

“The door wasn’t locked. I just entered.”

“Nice. Getting off on a technicality.” Danny grinned. “Except for the file you stole.” His gaze flickered to her purse and back.

Mandy looked down. The edge of the manila folder was peeking out. She zipped her bag completely closed and walked away.

Danny was right on her heels. “Is the Realtor always so weird?”

“Carolyn has a lot on her plate.”

“Does she?” Danny drank his coffee.

“Her husband isn’t well.” Mandy skirted the chin-high bookshelves and headed toward the front door.

Danny opened the glass door and stepped aside. “Ray seems to have a man crush on Nathan.”

Mandy blinked at the late morning sunshine and skirted a few pedestrians. “You noticed? Most of the town is ready to order Nathan’s tombstone and bulldoze the diner, but Ray is still entrenched in his bromance. Kind of ironic, don’t you think? His business has probably picked up since the diner closed. Why would he want it to reopen?” Why was she talking to Danny about this? She was supposed to get rid of him, not conspire.