Page 42 of Fallen Creed

“Quite a bit, actually. Right now, I’m worried about Ryder and Grace.”

“You haven’t heard from him?”

“No. And Nora said his Jeep is still where he parked it this morning.”

“I’ll talk to Spencer. See if there’s a way we can check on him. Call a few neighbors. I’m sure he’s probably just hunkered down somewhere to get out of the cold.”

“I hope that’s the case. But there’s something else, Pakula. Something I just learned about Libby Holmes. She’s not who she said she was. We all thought she was a victim. She might actually be dangerous.”

—33—

Libby Holmes hated having her safe place invaded, although she had to admit, she did like having her hard work recognized. Nora had been generous in giving her a room in her home. She made sure Libby felt welcome, stocking particular foods after discovering they were Libby’s favorites. Allowing her to borrow one of their cars.

Ted, on the other hand, pretended to be indifferent, all the while hiding his suspicions.

From the beginning, Libby knew her time with the Spencers would be limited. She figured she’d move on after a few months. But it had been easy to settle in, and suddenly two months turned into six.

She placed the steaming mugs of coffee in front of her intruders. The little dog had fallen asleep at the man’s feet. He kept one hand down close to her, as if he wanted to be ready to snatch her up and protect her again.

Libby admired and resented him at the same time. She admired that he cared enough about the dog that he’d shield it with his own body. Yet she resented his audacious bravery. He didn’t think she or Ariel were worthy adversaries, even after Ariel had almost killed him.

Libby was still trying to figure out how Ariel had gotten her gun, and so quickly. Actually, Ted’s gun. She knew where he hid his backup. He probably wouldn’t notice it missing unless his clean T-shirt supply dwindled. Libby thought she was good at stealing, with no one noticing, but Ariel was better. Ariel had barely arrived. They had only just met each other. Libby hadn’t left her backpack for more than a minute to use her binoculars and survey the man tracking her.

It bothered her, but she was impressed that Ariel was fast and cunning. It reassured Libby that maybe the woman could really help her escape. Maybe a part of her wished Ariel had been successful in killing the man. It would have made things easier.

Just because it’s easy doesn’t make it right. She used to know these things. She used to care about doing the right thing. Now all she wanted was to leave as soon as the snow stopped and the roads cleared.

Nora had sent him. She was still trying to save her. Nora had saved her before when no one else gave a damn. She kept Libby’s secrets, even from her husband. She’d taken risks to protect Libby. Just like this man with his little dog.

There was so much Libby had not shared with Nora. She didn’t dare tell her about David Ruben. How could she? Nora believed she was lost and frightened. She did not know what Libby was actually capable of doing. Poor Nora. She still believed she could save Libby. But the truth was, Libby was more like Ariel than she would ever be like Nora.

“We came looking for you to help you,” the man said.

When she looked up at him, he added, “My name’s Ryder. Her name’s Grace.”

“Ryder,” Ariel smirked. “That’s a stupid name.”

“My grandmother chose it. It comes from the Old English word meant to ride, of course, but referred to a horse-mounted warrior or a knight.”

“Good for you. Your name is so special.”

“Isn’t that why you chose Ariel? You wanted to be special?”

“You think you’re so smart? You have no idea.”

Libby ignored their exchange. She stared at the dog the whole time and caught herself wishing she was special enough to someone who’d want to be her warrior.

The dog woke and looked up at all of them. She licked his hand and put her head down again.

“Oh, isn’t that precious,” Ariel crooned unnecessarily snide. “You couldn’t afford a full-sized search dog?”

Libby knew it was the type of comment Ruben would have rewarded with a smile or a laugh. In that brief moment, she recognized she had changed. Ariel was still too close, newly running from him and the arrangement. His influence was too recent. Libby had learned how to survive without him. How to escape from him. Or so she believed until yesterday.

No, deep down Libby still feared she would never be free of David Ruben. Otherwise, why had she prepared this safe place in the woods? She had escaped before. With Ariel’s help, she could do it again. She had to, because if he caught her, he would definitely kill her.

Kill or be killed.

She sipped her coffee and watched the man sip his. She watched and wondered how long it would take for the drug she’d slipped in his to take effect.