Page 80 of Chasing Creed

“And we could sure use him,” Jason said, mistaking Creed’s silence for indecision. “That old guy is clever and sneaky.”

“Sneaky?”

“Trust me. Sneaky is a good thing.”

Creed had always been a lone wolf. He still thought of himself that way when faced with trouble. But Jason had been there for him enough times for Creed to trust him. Not just with his home or his dogs, but also with his life. And now, Brodie’s too.

“Okay. But we come up with a plan. And we all stick with it.”

54

Mississippi

Sara had wanted to keep driving, but the storm clouds snuffing out the sunset had grown massive. She could already see forks of lightning racing through purple-blue clouds. A low rumble perked up Shadow’s ears. The dog had become increasingly unsettled.

After checking the internet, she found a Drury Inn at the next junction that allowed dogs, served a free breakfast, and even offered a light dinner. It was probably a good idea for the two of them to reset and recharge. Besides, now with a bag full of cash, she could afford it. She wouldn’t need to dip into her meager resources or use a credit card that didn’t have her name on it.

Sara found a parking near the back exit of the hotel. She walked around to the front. Inside the lobby, she could already smell the food. She requested a room on the ground floor, close to the back door for her dog. With the keycard in hand, she strolled through, pretending to check out the food while scrutinizing the other guests, noting the elevators and all the exits. Satisfied, she went down the hallway of the ground level rooms, listening as she walked by each door. Their room was the last one on the right. She exited and returned to her truck.

Shadow had grown more unsettled, now on all four feet watching the corner of the building where Sara had left earlier. When she saw her coming from the other direction, the dog wagged and wiggled like a happy dance. It made Sara smile. She almost laughed.

She came around to the passenger side and told the dog, “Let’s go walk before the rain starts.”

Shadow was so excited to see her return, she didn’t pay attention to the lightning and thunder. It amazed Sara how this dog seemed to only need and ask for one thing—Sara’s presence.

She was beginning to think bad weather followed her. It had snowed the entire time she was in Wyoming. Snow and mud erased tracks and all kinds of other evidence, so she could hardly complain.

They had barely settled into their room when the downpour began. Sara had selected a spread of items from the complimentary hotel dinner. Hotdogs for both. Chili and salad for her.

Rummaging through the duffel bag, she pulled out bandages, peroxide, and everything else she needed to take care of Shadow’s wound. She’d clean the dog’s wound first before she cleaned her own. Her arm throbbed worse now than when Shadow had bitten her. Still, Sara didn’t blame the dog. After what Shadow had been through, how could she know who to trust?

Without warning, Sara’s hand found the burner phone. She tossed it onto the desk. It remained off since the phone call from Orlando. There was nothing about the phone, on or off, that would allow him to track her. She just didn’t want to hear from him. And if Iris called? It no longer mattered. It couldn’t matter. The woman had already given her instructions. What more could she possibly want?

The small pouch she unpacked looked like it belonged with the wound care supplies. However, the items inside were the opposite of lifesaving. She unzipped the pouch. Everything was lined up and tucked into separate compartments. She lifted out the small plastic syringe and one of the needles, choosing the right length and gauge. The needle hub pushed onto the syringe, snapping into place. The cap remained sturdy, protecting the point.

There were also several vials inside the pouch. Vials, she had filled herself with concoctions she knew to be lethal. It still amazed her how little of each liquid was necessary for the effect she wanted.

She carefully put the items on the back of the desk where neither she nor Shadow could bump them. In the morning, she’d load the syringe as the last thing she’d do before they left.

Next, she put her hiking boots up on the desk, examining the pocket she’d added to the inside of the boot. She’d stitched it herself and included a flap. It looked like a miniature holster concealed inside the boot. Alongside an inch-long razor with a blade guard, the syringe and needle fit snugly against her ankle. Even if someone were to pat her down, they’d never notice this secret compartment.

Shadow lay on the bed watching her. Every once in a while, the dog would glance at the food on the small table, lick her lips then watch Sara again.

“You’re right,” she told the dog. “We should eat first. Refresh. And get some rest. Tomorrow’s a big day.”

55

Florida Panhandle

Brodie sat in the warm glow of Hannah’s kitchen. Her fingers absently scratched behind Hank’s ears while her other hand balled up the hem of her T-shirt under the table.

All around her, Jason, Benny, Colfax, and Sully served up slices of pizza and twisted caps off beer bottles. They discussed drones and surveillance equipment while Hannah pulled cookies from the oven. Their chatter had morphed into one monotonous buzz of preparation and information. The aroma of pepperoni, beer, and molasses turned her stomach.

No one seemed to notice her sitting quietly. No one seemed to hear the noise in her head. Or the erratic pounding of her heart. All of them were so preoccupied that they couldn’t see that her worst nightmare was coming to life.

Even behind the walls of prison, Iris Malone had found a way to hurt her. Not just hurt Brodie, but possibly everyone she loved.

This could not be happening.