Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 104185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
“She’s hoping to lure Frey out.”
“Ms. Hayward.” Caroline’s voice was stern. “You don't have to do this, no matter what Dunn told you.”
“I want to stop him from killing anyone else.”
There was a static-filled sigh from the phone. Caroline was practical. She’d see the enormous opportunity this risk could give them.
“When?” she asked.
“We’re heading back to Chicago now,” I said. “Should be there in a few hours. Convince the theater she needs to be back on stage for tonight’s show, and spread the word around.”
So Frey has enough time to hear about the bait, I thought bitterly.
There was a long pause before she came back on the line. “I’ll have a team there as soon as I can.”
My heart sank into my stomach as I pushed the button to end the call. The leather quietly squealed when Laurel moved across the couch into my embrace, either seeking comfort or wanting to offer it, and I greedily accepted.
“I’ll have them keep the jet on standby after I land at Midway,” Shawn said.
All I could do was nod.
Then I sat her up and put one hand on each of her thin shoulders, giving her the strictest look I had in my arsenal. “One performance. If he’s smart enough not to show, you get on the plane.”
The shoulders lifted and fell with her breath. Her gaze locked on mine.
“Yes,” she promised.
33
LAUREL
This was your idea, I reminded myself while packing my suitcase. Even though I wanted Frey brought to justice, the idea of seeing him again was terrifying. I wasn’t putting only myself in danger, either. Jason made it clear he wouldn’t leave my side until Frey was in custody or I was on Shawn’s plane.
Frey might realize I was more trouble than I was worth and send someone to kill me. That thought was very real, too.
Shawn offered to fly us in, but Jason nixed that idea. It wasn’t any faster, and we’d have to make arrangements for a car at the airport, which might tip off the mole in the marshal’s office where we were before we were ready.
He wanted to control the situation as much as possible.
It had warmed enough that the ice had melted from the driveway, allowing us to pull the car up to the house. While he was outside loading the trunk, I knocked on Shawn’s office door.
He said something in German. I hoped it meant it was okay to come in, but his rich eyes seemed surprised when they found me.
“Sorry, I thought you were Jason. Can I help you?”
“I just wanted to say goodbye, and to thank you for letting us stay here.”
“It’s been a pleasure, but there’s no need to say goodbye. We’ll see each other again, Laurel."
I blinked at the sound of my name in his voice. “How did you know?”
“I went on the theater’s website to order tickets.”
Where my name and picture were still under the “CAST MEMBERS” tab. “You’re coming to the show?”
“Do you mind?”
“No, but does Jason know?” I couldn’t imagine he’d want his brother anywhere near the theater.
“I’d prefer if he didn’t know until you’ve crossed state lines.” He gave me a look that said this was not a request. “If I don’t see you before the show, good luck.”
Then it was time to go, and Jason’s goodbye to Shawn was awkward, a mumbled thank you, followed by a handshake. When the car started down the sloping driveway, my nerves chewed at me.
Every mile we drove brought us closer to what could be my death. Or Jason’s. Or both.
“You can still change your mind,” he said, after we’d ridden in silence for a while.
“I’m not going to.”
This would be my farewell performance. If what he’d said was true, that I could start over in Germany, I’d never achieve this status again. There were eight, maybe nine good years left in my body, assuming no injuries, and it wasn’t enough time to climb back up again. My anger over the unfairness shoved the nerves to the side.
“What happens if he doesn’t show?” The thought stormed into my brain like a freight train. “Oh, God. What if it takes you years to catch him?”
“It won’t.”
He sounded so sure, but I wasn’t naïve. “How can you know that?”
“I’m good at what I do,” he said simply. “Frey’s going to know this is a trap. Even if he’s wise enough to stay away, he’ll make a mistake somewhere else, if he hasn’t already. I will get him, L. You can fucking count on it.”
I was desperate to believe him because the alternative was terrifying. The idea of climbing onto the plane without him sounded like agony.
I’d hung up with the company director thirty seconds before the white and blue welcome sign came into view.
“He’s not happy about it,” I said of the director, “but he’ll let me perform tonight. I think the fact that Caroline was standing in his office persuaded him.” I watched the sign fly past. “Shawn bought a ticket to tonight’s show.”