Without warning, the man turned the truck into an unmarked trail causing both Ava and Ellie to slam into the car doors. He gave no apologies but continued to drive across the bumpy field. At least Ellie could hold on to the roof handle. Ava was convinced that the man drove over all the bumps just so he could punish Ava. She practically bounced around the back seat.
He came to an abrupt stop, causing Ava to slam into Ellie’s seat. Ava cursed as her cheek bumped against the headrest.
“We’re here.” He sighed.
They were at a farm, the kind one would see in the old western movies. Ava couldn’t help but laugh at the windmill. It was very on brand.
The man ordered Ellie to stay in her seat while he got out and rounded the car. He opened the door closest to Ava.
“Kick me again and I will shoot you,” he threatened.
Ava knew he was serious, and she held her tongue from making any sarcastic comments. He brandished a large knife and Ava winced. He chuckled, earning a dark look from Ava.
“It’s not for you.”
He said those words, but Ava could tell he meant to add the word “yet” to the end of his sentence.
He cut the restraints holding her feet together, and then without warning, he lifted her out of the truck and set her on the ground. Her legs had fallen asleep. The moment she was put on the ground, Ava collapsed to her knees.
Ellie was directed out of the car and she rushed to help Ava out.
“I’m really sorry,” she whispered.
Had she really been thinking that the entire time?
Ava patted her arm gently and said, “Don’t worry about it.”
The man waited impatiently. Eventually, he walked over and hauled her up himself. Ava struggled to stay on her feet, and Ellie hurried to support her.
“Get up. I need you to meet my girls, Detective Locke.”
Chapter 5
Ava stared at the man’s back as he walked away.
“Hey!” Ava yelled. “How do you know my name?”
The man just turned around and raised a finger to his lips.
Ava growled in annoyance.
“He has the audacity to act cute?” she yelled in exasperation.
Ellie shifted a bit so Ava could walk proper. The man was still a distance away from them, but at some point, he had stopped by one of the buildings and patiently waited for them.
The moment her legs were fully mobile, she tapped Ellie to let her go. Ava looked around. Her investigation started now. The plan was still underway, even if the path to get to this farm had been anything but smooth.
Ava stared at the man’s posture. He stood straight, with his hands in front of him in a familiar stance. She decided to test out her theory.
As they neared the man, Ava rushed at him. The moment his hand went to his hip, she knew. Ellie ran to her and tugged her away from him.
“So, you’re either a soldier or you’re a policeman,” Ava said.
She brought her bound hands up.
“I won’t be able to steal your gun anyway,” she reassured him.
The man tensed, and Ava could tell he was contemplating whether it was worth it to keep her alive.
“Why would you do that?” Ellie asked in a whisper.
Ava shrugged and looked back at the man with defiance. If he could focus on her, he would forget about Ellie. Ava knew how terrified Ellie had been in the truck.
“You are a dangerous woman, Detective Locke.”
She only cocked her head and leaned in closer.
“Speak to me again,” she dared.
This was the first time she had heard his voice in a peaceful setting. There were no stressful situations nor was there the roar of the truck disrupting her thoughts.
“Why is that?” he asked, his voice gruff.
Ava broke into laughter. She was terrified of what he might do to her when he lost his patience. She had to keep her act up. He was already revealing so much.
“No need to hide your real voice from me,” she said.
She gasped as if she were dramatically realizing something. Ellie tugged at her sleeve softly to get her to stop.
“Or… are you afraid that I’ll recognize you?” she goaded.
His silence was answer enough. He stalked up to her, causing Ellie to shrink from beside her. Ava stepped in front of Ellie in a subconscious act of protection. She looked up at the man, daring him to make a move.
“I’m willing to bet I know exactly who you are,” Ava confirmed, a smile on her face.
He grabbed her restraints and tugged roughly. Ava groaned in pain when the ropes cut into her wrists. With long strides, he pulled Ava along paying her no mind when she stumbled. Ellie followed them, her breaths becoming shallow as she struggled to keep pace.
“I’m pretty smart. I bet it won’t even take me a day before I guess your name,” Ava blurted out.
The man stopped abruptly, and Ava slammed into his back. Ava opened her mouth to complain sarcastically. What she received was a sudden backhand.
“Stop speaking.”
“Or what? You’ll hit me again?”
Ava spat blood out onto the ground, apologizing briefly to Ellie when it landed near her shoe. Her tough act was getting under this man’s skin, she realized with glee.
So far, she had discovered a few things.
One, she knew who this man was. Two, he had either served in the military or he was a fellow police officer. Three, he hated being outdone by her.
So far, she had managed to just irritate him with her sarcastic quips, but with the way he would react to her always having something to say, it
