LITMIR.BIZ

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I just work here. You’ll need a place to stay. We have a nice family motel close by. Maybe you noticed it when you drove past.”

      “I’m afraid not. I was too concerned about the way my car was running. Or I should say, not running.”

      “That makes sense. Look, I’ll be glad to give you and your daughter a lift to the motel, as long as you have no objection to sharing the truck seat with a friendly dog.”

      “A dog?”

      Seth pointed toward the corner of the service bay where his black-and-white border collie was napping on an old blanket. “That’s Babe. She never lets me out of her sight, and I wouldn’t want her to get hurt trying to follow us on foot.” He smiled benevolently, easing Marie’s mind.

      She looked down and saw an eager expression on the little girl’s face. “Patty loves animals. She’s always asking for a pet. I’m sure she’d love to meet Babe. Wouldn’t you, honey?”

      “Yeah!”

      “I thought so. All right. We’ll accept a ride that far. And thanks.”

      “You’re welcome. Just give me a sec to tell the boss where I’m going. I’ll be right back.”

      Marie reached her free hand toward him, barely touching his sleeve to stop him. “One more thing,” she said soberly, quietly. “I need to ask a favor.”

      “Sure. What?”

      “If anyone should come by looking for us, promise me you won’t tell them where we are?”

      “Why not? What’d you do, rob a bank?”

      She frowned. “That’s not funny. Will you do as I ask, or not?”

      “Of course,” Seth said with a casual shrug. “I don’t even know your name so I can hardly blab all your secrets, can I?”

      “It’s Marie. Marie Smith. And this is Patty.”

      “Pleased to meet you, ma’am. Pick out whatever luggage you’ll need from your car and go wait by that green pickup truck over there. Babe and I’ll join you in a minute.”

      As he hurried away, Marie felt Patty’s tug on her hand. When she looked down, she saw the child’s lips pressed into a thin, thoughtful line. “What, honey?”

      “You did it again, Mama.”

      “I know I did. And I’m sorry to be setting such a bad example for you, but sometimes grown-ups have to make up stories.”

      “Why?”

      “To keep our wonderful children safe,” Marie said. “Someday, when you’re older, I’ll explain everything. I promise.”

      “’Cause that man’s a stranger?” Patty asked.

      “That’s right. He is a stranger. And you know how I’ve warned you not to talk to strangers.”

      “But you talked to him.”

      “Only because I had no other choice,” Marie said.

      “I think he’s nice. And his dog is real pretty,” the child said with a smile. “Maybe if I’m good, he’ll let me play with her.”

      “Don’t count on it. We aren’t going to stay here one minute longer than we absolutely have to. As soon as our car is running again, we’re leaving.”

      “Aw, Mama. I like it here.”

      “Why?”

      “I dunno. ’Cause everybody’s friendly?”

      As Marie scanned the almost deserted street, looking for evidence of another nemesis, she saw nothing but a peaceful place of safety. It was future hidden dangers that she knew she must fear. If she allowed herself to be lulled into unquestioning acceptance of the rural Ozark town and didn’t remain alert, she’d be an easy target. And so would Patty. That must never happen.

      

      The white truck cruised slowly along the stretch of highway that passed through Serenity. Its driver peered out the windshield. He didn’t know what could have happened to the Parnell woman. He’d been so sure he’d find her car broken down along the road because of the way he’d doctored her fuel tank that he hadn’t felt it was necessary to actually keep her in sight. Now it looked as if he’d miscalculated.

      Not that he wouldn’t eventually pick up her trail again, he told himself. He’d better. His partners did not take kindly to failure.

      There was a lot more at stake here than just lives, too, he added. Roy had made off with enough money to make anybody drool. Even if he hadn’t passed the cash to his old girlfriend for safekeeping, they figured to use the kid as a bargaining tool. Old Roy didn’t have much that he cared about except his little girl. Once they got their hands on her, they knew he’d reveal where he’d hidden the ransom money.

      The driver smiled to himself. And then they’d kill him. With pleasure.

      

      Seth delivered his passengers to the redbrick, Hilltop Motel, followed them into the small, sparsely furnished lobby and lingered near the front desk to see if the woman produced a credit card. She didn’t.

      The clerk looked concerned. “I’m sorry, ma’am. We prefer you pay by charge card.”

      “All I have is cash,” Marie said. “Surely, you don’t mind taking real money.”

      “Well, I don’t know. Most people…”

      Seth spoke up. “It’s okay, Clarence. We have her car down at the station. She’s not going anywhere till it’s fixed. And I promise to give you time to count the towels before I let her leave town.”

      “If you say so, that’s good enough for me,” the clerk replied with a smile. He programmed a key card and handed it to Marie. “Your room is around back, by the pool. Ground floor. I trust that’s satisfactory.”

      She nodded and managed to return his grin. “That will be fine, thanks.”

      “Can I hug the dog goodbye?” Patty asked her.

      “That’s up to Mr. Whitfield.”

      “How about we both walk you to your door?” Seth suggested. “I need to deliver your suitcases for you, anyway.”

      He could tell by the reluctance in the woman’s movements that she wasn’t keen on letting him help, so he gave her no options. As soon as they left the office, he whistled to his dog and swung the heavy bags out of the back of the truck.

      Marie was crouching to join her daughter in petting the joyful border collie when she suddenly froze in that position.

      Seth followed her line of sight to the street. There was nothing about the passing traffic that he saw as threatening, but the woman sure seemed to.

      He paused. “Are you okay?”

      “Fine. Fine,” she answered, grabbing the child’s hand and hurrying her around the side of the motel building.

      Babe bounded along beside her new playmate and Seth followed. As soon as Marie had unlocked the door, the dog ran into the room ahead of everyone, much to Patty’s delight.

      “Look, Mama! She wants to stay and play with me.”

      “Well, she can’t.” Marie practically yanked her bag from Seth’s grip. “Thank you for your help.”

      He bowed slightly and smiled, placing Patty’s smaller suitcase at the foot of the closest bed before backing toward the open door. “My pleasure. C’mon, Babe. I think we’ve overstayed our welcome.”

      When the door slammed behind him, he was certain he heard the deadbolt click into place, too. Something had sure spooked Marie, although he had no idea what.

      Sauntering back to his truck,

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