On The Run Read Online Free PDF

She stopped. “You blew up that car.”
    “It was the easiest way to draw them away from you. They weren’t very woods-savvy, but I wasn’t sure that they wouldn’t stumble across you. I took one of them out in the woods, but there wasn’t time to stalk down the other two when you and Frankie were so close. So I drew them back to the farm.”
    “Then I’ll have to warn Robert that they’re still there. He was on his way to—” She stopped again as she saw Kilmer shaking his head. “Has something happened to Robert?”
    “Not that I know about. But I resolved the problem at the farm before I came after you.”
    Resolved the problem. She’d heard Kilmer say that so many times before. “You’re sure?”
    “You know I’m always sure.” He smiled. “You don’t have to worry about your watchdog.”
    “Yes, I do.” She dialed Robert’s number. “If he didn’t get to the farm, I should have heard from him. He was going to try to find Charlie.”
    She got Robert’s voice mail. She hung up without leaving a message. “He’s not answering.” She turned to him. “Tell me what’s happening, dammit.”
    “Later.” He glanced at Frankie, who was bent over drying her hair. “I think she’s had enough for one night. You don’t want to worry her any more than she is already.”
    Frankie’s head lifted and she glared at Kilmer. “That’s pretty stupid. How can I help worrying about Charlie? And Mom’s worried too.”
    Kilmer blinked. “Sorry if I treated you disrespectfully. I obviously didn’t realize who I was dealing with.” He paused. “I’m concerned about your friend Charlie too. I know you’re probably scared and confused, and I believe I’ll let your mother discuss the matter with you. It’s difficult to give anyone a clear picture unless they have a background in the problem.” He glanced at Grace. “Does she?”
    “No.”
    “I didn’t think so.” He gazed gravely at Frankie. “I’m sure your mother will rectify that omission as soon as she can. And you’ll trust her and know that it’s the truth. Okay?”
    He was talking to Frankie as if she was an adult, Grace thought. It was the right way to handle her. But then, Kilmer was very smart about people.
    Frankie was nodding slowly. “Okay.” She curled up on the seat and wrapped the blanket around her again. Her face was pale and her hand clutching the blanket was shaking. She had been through a nightmare tonight and Grace wanted desperately to hold her, rock her. Not now. Not until she was sure they were somewhere safe. Frankie was holding on to her composure by a thread. One touch might break her.
    “Smart kid.” Kilmer’s gaze was on Grace’s face in the rearview mirror. “She’ll deal with it.”
    “How do you know? You don’t know anything about her.” She crossed her arms over her chest. It was weird to be so cold on this hot August night. She hadn’t been chilled before, but now that the adrenaline was subsiding, she was shaking as badly as Frankie. “Turn on the heater.”
    “It’s on,” Kilmer said. “You’ll feel it soon. I thought you’d have your usual reaction. Just relax and let the— Shit!” His brakes screeched as he stopped on the side of the road beside the river. “Stay here.” He jumped out of the car and was running down the incline toward the riverbank. “I think I caught sight of a truck down there in the water. Do what I say. You don’t want to leave Frankie alone.”
    But Frankie was already out of the car.
    Grace caught her before she could follow Kilmer down the incline. “No, Frankie. We’ve got to stay here.”
    “Charlie has a truck.” Frankie was fighting to get free. “It could be him. We’ve got to help him. It’s in the water.”
    “Kilmer will tell us if we can help.” Grace was in an agony of frustration as her gaze followed Frankie’s. The river water was up to the windows of the cab and she could see very little else through the rain. It might not be