They led through a large forest, around several bends, and then toward the mountains and a river. A small and dilapidated cabin stood vigil to the side, its walls crumbling and its roof caved in. She kept driving through another grove and then around several more bends, finally heading back toward the river.

A greenhouse lay straight ahead, its lights on inside. A truck and a smaller car were parked beneath a wide tarp.

She pulled over beneath a stand of trees and jumped into the snow. Keeping to the tracks left by the truck, she withdrew her gun and held it in her left hand. That wasn’t going to work.

Wincing, she pulled off the sling and tossed it to the side, using her cast to steady her weapon as she trod silently toward the structure, her body bent and her legs freezing.

A scream came from inside, and she moved into a run, reaching the door and pausing.

“You asshole!” a woman screamed. “How could you do this to me?”

A man spoke, his voice a low rumble.

Laurel took a deep breath and then pivoted, kicking in the door and dodging inside.

Jason Abbott immediately grabbed Haylee Johnson and yanked her against his chest, shoving a gun to her neck.

Laurel paused, gun aimed at his head. She glanced down to where Abigail was sitting up on a wooden dolly, her lip bleeding and her eye rapidly swelling. “Are you okay?”

“Not really.” Abigail wiped off her lip. “I made a move too quickly. Just give me about five minutes for my strength and mobility to fully return, and I want another shot at him. Deal?”

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Laurel kept her gun pointed at Jason and moved cautiously to shield Abigail. “How badly hurt are you?”

“Just drugged and waiting for full feeling to return to my limbs.” Abigail groaned, a board creaked, and then she stood next to Laurel. “Good timing, though.”

“Get behind me.”

Abigail partly obliged.

Haylee’s eyes were wide as Jason held her tight against him with the gun shoved into her neck. “I don’t understand. Jason? What’s happening?”

“Shut up. You’re not a part of any of this.” He ducked enough to keep Haylee’s body partially covering his head. “Agent Snow? I doubt you want to take this shot with your bad hand. Sorry about the wrist, by the way.”

Haylee pushed back with her elbow into Jason’s ribs. “Jason, what’s going on? I don’t understand.” Tears filled her eyes.

Abigail stepped up beside Laurel. “Your boyfriend is the Witch Creek Killer. He wants an educated woman, a smart one, but he just can’t keep it up for one. Can you, Jason?”

Laurel elbowed her. “Shut up. Get back behind me.”