Page 91 of Made of Steele
Vito held up his controller, his gaze pleading. “But I—”
Jabal jabbed Vito’s shoulder with his gun. “Either play or I will kill you right here.”
“You’re going to kill me anyway,” Vito said, a hint of rebellion in his voice. “Why make me play the stupid game?”
“I am giving you a chance to live. Win this level and I will let you go. Lose and you will die the same way your character dies.”
Ah-ha!That explained the varied weapons used to kill the victims. He let the victim play for his life and used the weapon that killed his avatar to end the player’s life. Meant he would have to come prepared for many scenarios.
She searched the room and saw a large duffle on the floor. Could it contain all the needed weapons? If so, it could pin all of these murders to Jabal. She couldn’t risk Vito’s life, but she also couldn’t miss out on apprehending Jabal and seizing the weapons.
She had time. At least as long as Vito played along. Which she figured he would do to buy time.
She backed her way to the driveway and then the road. She didn’t want to leave Vito alone with a killer, but she couldn’t risk being overheard or having Jabal see the light from her phone.
She dialed Drew. Got voicemail. “It’s Teagan. I’m at Smiley’s place. Vito is here. So is Jabal. He’s going to kill Vito if I don’t intervene. Will call County for backup.”
She ended the call and phoned dispatch to report her location and ask for backup.
“Nearest unit is en route now, but he’s thirty minutes out,” the dispatcher said.
“Tell him to book it.” She hung up and double-checked her phone to be sure it was in silent mode before starting back for the house.
She reached the clearing. Not more than twenty feet to the house.
The front door flung open.
“Run!” Jabal’s excited voice came from inside.
She bolted toward the house. Pressed her body against the side. Vito came charging down the steps.
No time to think. She raced for the landing. Got behind the door. Waited.
Jabal burst out, a full-sized ax in his hands. She stuck out her foot. Tripped him. His hands flailed out, but he lost his balance. Tumbled down the steps.
“Police, don’t move!” She started for the stairs—her weapon outstretched.
She lifted a foot to step down.
The earth rolled beneath the deck. Shifting. Shaking. Hard.
She tried to regain her stance. Lost her balance. Fell from the platform. The ground continued to move. She blinked hard. What in the world?
Oh no. No. No. No.
Earthquake! Rare but not unheard of in Oregon.
Please don’t let the ground open up and swallow me whole.
24
Drew raced toward Smiley’s property. Thankfully, there was little traffic at this time of night, and he could floor the gas, moving at high speed. At the speed his heart was traveling. How could he have missed Teagan’s call? His phone didn’t ring but suddenly showed a voice mail. Had to be because of sparse cell towers in the rural area.
The ground shifted beneath the car. “What the—?”
The earth shook harder. A large pine tree came plunging down over the road. He slammed on his brakes and skidded toward the tree. He braced for the point of impact.
His bumper slammed into the solid wood.
