LITMIR.BIZ

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hear it. That’s a lot to give up for whatever it is that brought you here, Sadie.”

      So the man had friends in the right places. Only a handful of people in this town knew her name and none beyond the four with whom she had met in the sheriff’s conference room were aware of her background. She shrugged. “I should have gotten that promotion two years ago. And you’re right, nine years is a long time to watch men like my SAIC write his own definition of justice. Besides, my daddy was a firm believer in a man—or woman—having the right to live his life the way he wanted and to bear arms. I suppose I have him to thank for my hardheadedness.”

      The man’s gaze hardened. “As interesting as this conversation might prove to be, I don’t like wasting my time, Sadie. Why don’t you tell me what it is you think I need to hear?”

      “I appreciate that you looked me up, Mister...?”

      “Prentiss,” he said, “Rayford Prentiss.”

      “Mr. Prentiss,” she acknowledged. “The trouble is—and I mean no offense to you—I really need to speak with the man in charge. It’s urgent. We don’t have a lot of time.”

      He held her gaze for a long moment of thickening silence. “You don’t look like the sort with a death wish,” he finally said.

      Sadie smiled. “Not if I can help it. What I have, Mr. Prentiss, is some information about a joint task force mission that will prove more than a little devastating to the Resurrection. If you and your friends take me in, I’ll give you the heads-up you need to survive the storm that’s coming—assuming you know what I’m talking about and have the authority to take me where I need to go.”

      A crooked smile lifted one corner of his bearded mouth. “First, I know precisely what you mean and I have all the authority I need. The real question is, why on God’s green earth would I believe that foolish story?”

      “Well, my motive is somewhat personal, Mr. Prentiss. I will tell you that I’ve gotten myself into a bit of trouble and I don’t see any ready way out, so this looks like as good an option as any other. My daddy always said planning for the future was smart business. I need to disappear for a little while, Mr. Prentiss. I think you and your friends can make that happen. You do me a favor and I’ll do one for you.”

      Prentiss chuckled. “I really am flummoxed, Sadie. You appear quite sincere and yet I’m not certain I believe you. Be that as it may, we’ll play your little game. After all, it took considerable courage to start this thing.” His gaze settled heavily on her and this time there was no mistaking the promise there. “Rest assured, whatever this is, if you’re lying to me, you will not like how this ends.”

      “Great.” Sadie pushed a smile into place and sat up straight. “Then we have a deal.”

      Another of those long moments of silence elapsed with him staring at her. “It appears we do.”

      He raised a hand and people seemed to come out of the woodwork. Four men, all armed. “My friends will see to your transportation. Goodbye, Sadie.”

      When he stood and walked away, she couldn’t help wondering if this mission would end right here, right now. These guys could kill her and no one would ever know exactly what happened, much less who did the deed.

      Wasn’t that the way it always was?

      The door closed behind Prentiss and she stood, glanced from fierce face to fierce face. “So, who’s driving?”

      “Take off your clothes,” the one nearest her said.

      She laughed. “I never take off my clothes on the first date.”

      He aimed his weapon at her. “Take them off now.”

      One of his pals stepped forward and tossed a bag on the floor at the end of her pew.

      “There are clothes in the bag,” the one who appeared to be in charge and who held his aim steady on her announced.

      “Well, if you insist.”

      Taking her time she toed off her boots, peeled off her socks, then unbuttoned her shirt. When the shirt, the boots and socks were in a neat pile next to the provided bag, she shucked her jeans and added them to the pile next.

      When she reached for the bag, the man with the gun at the ready protested, “Everything comes off.”

      She figured that would be his next order. Sadie reached behind her and unhooked her bra. She allowed it to fall forward and drop to the pile. Then she swooped off her panties and added them unceremoniously to the rest.

      The man nodded and she reached for the bag. Inside was a pair of gray sweatpants and a white tee. No underwear. No socks. Thankfully there was a pair of plastic flip-flops. The cheap kind found in bins near the checkout counter at discount stores. She donned the provided outfit and slipped her feet into the flip-flops.

      The man who’d brought the bag grabbed her things and put them into the empty bag. She hated that her cell phone was in that bag. Besides a gun, it was the asset she depended upon most.

      Oh well.

      “Let’s go.” The man with a bead on her motioned with the barrel of his weapon toward the back of the church.

      “What about my car?” she asked as they marched toward the rear exit.

      “A friend will pick it up and dismantle it for parts.”

      She stalled and glared at the man. Was he out of his mind? “Wait just a minute. That car cost—”

      “You won’t need it where you’re going.”

      * * *

      THE DRIVE TO their destination took half an hour, give or take a minute.

      Sadie had counted off the seconds and minutes, in part to distract herself from the sorts of thoughts that wanted to crowd into her brain. But mostly because it was important to maintain a sense of location. Half an hour from the church was a reference anyone coming to her rescue could use to facilitate the task.

      Except there was no one coming. This mission was basically off the books. Ross and his friends would get worried when they didn’t hear from her in a couple of days but there wasn’t a whole lot they could do other than beat the bushes and rattle a few cages looking for her. Finding her would be difficult if not impossible. The tracking devices in her cell phone, in the soles of her shoes and in her bra were who knew where. Unless someone had been watching her and followed this caravan, she was probably out of luck as far as backup was concerned.

      Frankly, she had been surprised by their vehicles. She’d expected big four-wheel-drive trucks caked with mud and decked out with gun racks. But that wasn’t the case at all. The two vehicles were both new top-of-the-line SUVs. Sure, they were four-wheel drive, but they were sleek and almost elegant looking—unlike the men inside.

      The younger of the group had been tasked with her personal security. He’d secured her hands behind her back and dropped a cloth bag over her head. He sat in the back seat with her. Another one drove. The other two men were in the second vehicle, with Prentiss, no doubt. No one in this vehicle had said a word en route. Music had played just loud enough to prevent her from noting another reference—any sounds in the areas they drove through. Animals, trains, construction, whatever.

      When the vehicle rolled to a stop and the engine cut off, the music died. The doors opened and low voices rumbled around her. Beyond the voices was quiet. No city sounds. No traffic sounds. Not even any animals.

      Fingers wrapped around her upper arm and tugged her from the center section of the back seat. A hand guided her feet so she wouldn’t break her neck climbing out. When she was steady on the ground the sack was dragged from her head.

      Her first thought was that she had gone back in time. The towering stone walls made her think of the ones surrounding a castle she’d visited in Edinburgh, Scotland. The walls were massive, at least thirty feet high. There were what appeared to be guard towers built into the wall. A large, square

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