Page 104 of Fallen Creed

Libby’s heart stopped. She held her breath. She wanted to gesture to Ariel to get down and move farther into the stable, but Ariel just stood there. She made no attempt to hide.

A bulky figure dressed in a navy blue coat and matching cap walked into view without hesitating or asking a single question. Libby’s eyes darted back and forth, then she saw Ariel smile, and her heart stopped.

David Ruben removed the cap and smiled back. He glanced at Libby, but to Ariel he said, “Good work, Vanessa.”

—84—

It was easy to follow the trail Libby and Ariel had left. In the sunshine, their deep footprints stood out in the otherwise pristine snow. Creed had swallowed a handful of Tylenol and pain pills. Maybe they were working, because he no longer felt the fire in his side. Mostly, he felt numb. His breathing was a bit ragged, and Grace kept popping her head out of the mesh carrier to check on him.

He was surprised to find the SUV still in the shed. More surprised to see both sets of footprints leading all the way back to the Spencers’. This time, Libby had taken a shortcut instead of the long winding maze she must have deliberately trekked that first day to make it difficult if anyone went looking for her.

Whatever the reason, Creed was grateful for the shortcut, despite it taking them through more trees, which meant more broken branches and debris to climb over.

At one point, he could see the two women ahead. He watched them sneak across a meadow and through the graveyard where the purple scarf still twirled in the wind. He saw them squeeze through the door at the back of the barn. Seconds later, he saw a man leave Nora’s house, stop at the electrical company van parked in front, then casually walk all the way to the barn.

The Spencers didn’t have livestock. Creed wondered if they’d care whether the electricity was on out there.

Creed slipped around to the front of the barn. Muffled voices came from deep in the back. He stopped at his Jeep, keeping the vehicle between him and the voices. As quietly as possible, he eased the back door open and slipped off the mesh carrier, releasing Grace into the cold Jeep. He put an index finger to his lips. Grace wasn’t happy but wagged and settled down.

He reached under the driver’s seat from the back and pulled a small revolver from its holster. The Ruger LCR fit nicely in the palm of his hand. He wasn’t in the habit of carrying a weapon but brought it along on road trips. Finished, he gently closed the door, cringing at the click.

Now, he could feel the stitch in his side as he crouched down, listening for footsteps. A sudden wave of nausea sent him to the ground. He waited it out, leaning against the Jeep. When the feeling didn’t totally recede, he decided on the ground would be a better approach. Slowly, he crawled on hands and knees toward the voices.

“Your name’s Vanessa?” It was Libby.

“I told you Ariel was something I made up. Hey, you wanted to believe what you wanted to believe.”

“I thought you were helping me. I thought you wanted to get away from him, too.”

He could see a sliver of Libby’s face. Ariel and the man had their backs to him. But Ariel was pointing the gun at Libby. He shook his head. He was right about her.

He pulled himself closer, using two wooden troughs to hide. About five feet stood between him and the man. The guy was shorter than Creed, but carried some bulk. Taking him down in his current condition would not be easy. He figured he had one try.

He carefully slipped the revolver into his right hand. He’d need his left hand to pull himself back up to his feet. Somehow he managed it, but not without notice. Libby saw him. He froze.

“Ariel, it’s not too late,” Libby said, keeping her eyes away from him. She was giving cover. “We can still escape.”

Three quick steps and Creed grabbed the man he figured was Ruben. He wrapped his arm around the guy’s thick neck and brought the revolver to his temple.

Ariel turned and jerked backward, almost losing her balance.

“What the hell?” Ruben sputtered, and Creed knew his grip was tight enough. But how long could he hold it?

“I told you we should have killed him,” Ariel said to Libby like they were still in this together.

“Shoot him, Vanessa,” Ruben spit out the command before Creed lifted and tightened his arm. “Do it now,” he grunted.

“Drop the gun, Ariel,” Creed told her. “You don’t need this guy. You’re strong without him. You kicked my ass all by yourself.”

She squinted at him like she was trying to figure out if he was playing with her. Either that or she was taking aim.

If the man simply dropped his legs out from under him, Creed wouldn’t be able to hold him up. He wasn’t sure he could hold his grip much longer.

Ariel pointed the gun. Creed held her eyes. There was no passion in them. Not like when she tried to shoot Grace. Now she looked tired. Spent. Her eyes blank.

“Shoot him!” Ruben yelled at her.

Ariel shrugged, pointed the gun, and pulled the trigger.