Countdown Read Online Free PDF

“I’m okay, really.” Or at least she would be.
    * * *
    The police escorted the man in handcuffs out of the house. While the officer questioned Rachel about what had just happened, James stared out the window. His stomach churned, his neck ached...the beginnings of a tension headache. He’d called out to the boys and told them he had to help Rachel and would be right back as he’d run out the back door, but he’d already been away from his boys long enough.
    At least he had told them to play in his office behind the secret door just in case it was a ruse to separate him from the boys, but the fact remained he had never left them home alone before. Now, the first time he had—even just to run next door—was the same day someone had tried to take them away. If there were ever an award for Worst Parent...
    â€œI need to go,” he said.
    The officer stopped midsentence and looked out the window. “You live there?”
    James nodded.
    The officer’s lips flattened before he nodded. “Okay. I think we have what we need for now. You can go,” the officer said to James before he offered Rachel a smile. “I think we’ve got enough evidence to keep them locked up for a long time. Now that we’ve got both suspects, you can put your minds at ease.”
    James stiffened.
    Rachel’s eyes locked on him. She raised her eyebrows and gave a subtle nod. James knew that look. His mom always did that when she wanted him to do something, say something. Problem was, half the time he had no idea what she’d expected.
    A small sigh escaped Rachel. “Why would they target the boys and then me?” She looked at James, but the question seemed directed at the officer.
    The cop shrugged. “I wish I could tell you definitively. I don’t know about the driver, but this man shows the signs of a crystal meth addiction.”
    â€œI thought so,” Rachel muttered.
    How had she known the signs? He made a mental note to ask her, but he needed to call Derrick immediately before things escalated. He’d never got to finish his call when he’d seen the man creep through her living room. The officer and Rachel seemed satisfied with their theory, but it still didn’t make sense to him.
    Even if one of the kidnappers was addicted to drugs, why would they target his kids and then Rachel? For money? He didn’t make enough to warrant attention. There were plenty more affluent parents in the area, and a hairdresser—even a very good one like Rachel—wouldn’t make a ton, either.
    The officer nodded at both of them. “Have a nice night.”
    James and Rachel watched the last police cruiser leave the cul-de-sac. Rachel exhaled. One arm cradled her ribs.
    â€œAre you okay? Do you need an ambulance?”
    â€œNo, I’ll be fine. Only a little bruised up. I didn’t feel like I could breathe fully with that man and then the cops stomping around my house.”
    She shivered and hugged herself, but there wasn’t any breeze. The air remained still. Surely she wasn’t cold?
    She looked down at his bare feet. James shrugged, self-conscious. “I didn’t take the time to put my shoes back on when I saw the man in your house.”
    Rachel stepped closer to him. “I can’t thank you enough for stopping him.”
    His heart beat a little faster. Should he tell her his suspicions? If they came after her once, what was to stop them again? He’d inadvertently put a mark on her. He shook his head. “Don’t thank me. I’m not sure you’re safe here.”
    Rachel frowned and looked around for some clue to his statement. “What do you mean I’m not safe? You heard the officer. They got him. They have both of them.”
    â€œYou told the police he said, ‘Let’s see how much your boyfriend loves you.’”
    Her cheeks flushed. “I don’t have a boyfriend,” she said.