Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 97364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
My focus returns to the Starbucks, but a few seconds later, I happen to glance in my mirror again. “It’s him.” I sit up in my seat and fumble with my seatbelt as his truck turns on the main street going in the opposite direction as my car is parked.
I do a U-turn onto the street and gun it, slowing up as his truck comes into sight again. After weaving his way through town, he parallel parks on the street. I’ve already passed my best spot to park a few cars behind him, so I have to go around the block. I tuck my chin and pull on the bill of my hat when my car passes his truck. A few minutes later, I secure a spot four cars back from his truck.
I was worried he’d be out of his truck, but he’s not. His window is cracked and he’s looking straight ahead, sipping his coffee.
Six hours. He sits in his truck for six hours. I’m dying. My arse is numb, and my bladder is ready to burst when his brake lights illuminate.
“Oh thank God.” I wait a few seconds after he pulls out before following him. He doesn’t go far, just two streets. A blue car pulls into an angled parking spot in front of an old block of flats. Theo pulls in a few spaces back from the blue car. I do the same behind Theo. Bloody hell, I need to wee!
Theo’s head moves slowly. He seems to be following the man getting out of the blue car. The man walks across the street. Theo’s head turns in his direction. Once the man disappears into another tall block of flats, Theo gets out of his truck. I scoot down low in my seat, peeking at him through the steering wheel. The locks on his truck beep, and he uses a key to get into the block on the same side of the street that we’re parked.
Wee. Dammit, I need to wee, but I don’t want to get out yet. Theo could be looking out a window and see me. I’m not ready for him to see me yet. Desperate times … I grab an empty disposable cup from the holder between the seats, unbuckle, and move my seat back as far as it will go. Then I maneuver my feet onto the seat into a squatted position. After a quick look around the area, I shimmy my leggings and knickers down just far enough to get the cup upright between my legs and … ahh …
I won’t apologize. At the moment, this release feels almost as good as an orgasm.
My name is Scarlet Stone and when I was fifteen, we had to disappear for a while. Oscar feared for his life, so we holed up in this warehouse for two weeks until the threat was eliminated. No plumbing. We bathed with baby wipes and became experts at the art of weeing in a cup. The first few times didn’t go so well for me. My aim wasn’t nearly as good as the male porcupine’s.
Plastering my face to the window, I look for lights on in any of the flats but it’s still too light out. I dig my computer out of my bag to see if I can find some information on the man that Theo seemed so interested in following.
A registration plate is a great start.
“What. The. Hell?”
The blue car was recently registered to Braxton Ames. That’s the name from the newspaper clipping in Theo’s trunk.
Braxton Ames arrested in the murder of Kathryn Reed
I search his name.
Investigators reopen the Kathryn Reed homicide case.
Braxton Ames’s attorney claims he was coerced into confessing to the murder of Reed and lack of evidence will prove his claim of not guilty. A judge will rehear his case in October.
Judge finds Braxton Ames not guilty for the murder of Kathryn Reed. Police are now searching for the person responsible for her death.
October. October was the end of our six months on Tybee. Theo’s here for Braxton. He doesn’t believe he’s innocent. Theo’s here to kill Braxton Ames.
“Think, Scarlet.” Before I can plot my next move, Theo comes out of the block. He’s still wearing the gray beanie but no sunglasses. I can barely breathe. He looks so different with his trimmed facial hair and that hat.
He gets into his truck and pulls out. As much as I want to know where he’s going, I need to stay here. Braxton is in his flat across the street. For now he’s safe. After Theo’s truck turns the corner, I jump out, depositing my urine cup in the bin by the entrance that’s locked.
I’m getting faster at breaking in, just like old times. The main door opens for me in less than ten seconds.
“Great,” I mutter as I look up the stairs. There must be seven floors of flats. How the hell am I supposed to find which one is his?”