Melanie chose not to tip off Drew that she’d observed the encounter outside the motel window. She perched on the edge of the bed and waited, inhaling deeply upon hearing the lock click open.
Drew walked in. He’d wiped his face clean of any signs of blood, but the discolored section and a threatening goose egg were evidence of the encounter outside. Melanie remained quiet and let Drew take the lead.
He lifted the shopping bag and shook it. “Supplies to render first aid to m’lady.”
“Looks like you need first aid yourself. I never noticed the goose egg before now.”
“Well, you were a little groggy when I found you. My face probably wasn’t a priority on your recovery list. Walked into a wall, can you believe it?”
Drew wasn’t going to tell her. She had no idea whether his secrecy was intended to protect her or only one of the many things he chose to withhold.
Curiosity and partial desperation got the better of her.
“People don’t bruise that easily walking into a wall. More like someone punched you into a wall.”
His face flushed red with anger, but he subdued it and moved further inside the room. “Come over here, and I’ll bandage you up.”
Conversation dried up and Melanie felt more confused than ever. She had to reconnect with Drew if she were to expect any cooperation from him.
“About that birthday surprise,” she said, opening the conversation, “I hope my present is something big and expensive.”
“On my budget?” he asked.
“Is the great Mr. Braxton cutting the apron strings from you, too? Best get your act together if you intend to continue in the lifestyle you so enjoy.” Her heart grieved at the mere mention of her father.
She reverted back to the lighter side of the conversation. “So, I suppose a new car is not in my cards, huh?”
Drew attempted a chuckle. “Did it go in the river with you?”
“Not sure.” Melanie jumped to her feet. “Maybe we should go back to the crime scene. Even if my car isn’t there, the men might have left clues.”
“They don’t sound like sloppy murderers.”
“You’re right. After I got lost in the woods, I discovered one of my captors cleaning up the area.”
“Really? Did he see you?”
“No, he heard me and thought I was his accomplice, John.” Drew acted surprised when she mentioned this new information. “I heard him call it out when he mistook me for him. John obviously left after I was dumped in the lake.”
“Then he started chasing you? But he never saw you, right? It’s important that he thinks you’re dead.”
“He might think so, but I’m not! And I have no intention of running and hiding in fear for the rest of my life.” She got to her feet. “We need to go to the police.”
Drew began pacing. He ended at the window and peeked through the curtains into the parking lot.
Melanie wondered if he was thinking about the man in the van. It was time to plunge into the deeper waters. “Did you say that a van followed my car out of the driveway? The police may be able to find it. Did you get a license number?”
“No. At the time, I didn’t know I needed to. I was hoping you were leading us all to a birthday party.” He was sidestepping, and Melanie lost patience.
“Drew, was it the same man in the van that knocked you into the wall a few minutes ago?”
Drew let the drapes fall, spun around, and stared at her fear-stricken. She’d cornered him. She understood her brother – the child who had repeatedly been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
“Fess up and spill the beans, Drew.”
“You shouldn’t have seen that.”
“There’s no one sorrier than me to see you conversing with my captor. The only consolation is that he obviously doesn’t like you.” She laid a hand on her brother’s arm. “I don’t want to doubt you, but you’re lying, and I need to know everything. I will search to the ends of the earth to find the guy who murdered my friend – if she was the one in the car. I need to put this incident behind me, jig-time, and get back to my job and life.”
Drew dropped into a chair, bent over, and buried his head in his hands. His body shook with silent tears as she waited for him to gain control – he wouldn’t want his big sister to mush all over him.
Finally, he looked up at her. “You’d better sit down.”
Melanie sat; her heart reluctant to hear another tale of Drew Braxton’s trouble-making. But this one included her, and she wouldn’t let him away with it.
“You’re right: I lied. I didn’t come to South Carolina for a birthday surprise. I hoped to get to you before they did.”
“They – as in my kidnappers?”
“Yes, but I can’t tell you any more for your own safety. The less you know the better.”
“Less doesn’t seem to matter to the men who tried to kill me, who have likely already killed Chrissy.”
“You heard the men, right? You were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Chrissy was the target, but I don’t know
