Wilde One (35 page)

“You can’t leave him out there!”

“Wanna bet? If I’m lucky, a coyote will eat him.” He lifted a kerosene lantern from a hook on the wall, lit it with the lighter he pulled from his pocket then set it on the table. “Sit.” He toed a straight-backed chair toward her.

Ainslee sat. Wrapping her arms around her middle, she shivered, wondering what he was going to do to her. Maybe she
should
lie. The truth sure wasn’t getting her anywhere.

He pulled out the knife and wiped the blade on his jeans before straddling the other chair. Brown eyes without a hint of compassion in their depths regarded her steadily. “Unless you want that pretty face permanently damaged, I’d suggest you tell me exactly where you hid the treasure.”

Her stomach twisted, and bile scorched her throat. For a minute, she was afraid she’d be sick. Breathing through her mouth in harsh pants, she clenched her fists on her thighs. “We took the painting and jewelry we found in the box to be appraised. They’re at a gallery in Carmel. We cashed in the gold bar, and I deposited my half in my bank account. The check stub is in my purse in the car if you don’t believe me. I tried to tell you before, but you wouldn’t listen.” She raised one hand to touch her throbbing cheek.

“You said you didn’t have the treasure.” His voice rose. “You didn’t mention anything about an appraiser.”

“That’s because you kept interrupting me and calling me a liar.”

He smacked his fist on the table next to the knife. The thud echoed like a shot in the spartan room. He swore then rose to his feet. Grabbing up the knife, he paced the small space. Turning, he glared at her. “If you’re telling the truth, we’ll just have to get them back.”

“I only have a phone number for the gallery. No one will be there at this hour.”

“Then you’ll call in the morning.” His dark eyes narrowed. “You’d damn well better not be lying to me.”

“What would be the point?” She steadied her voice. “If I lied, you’d find out soon enough.”

“Maybe you expect someone to rescue you in the meantime.”

“I wish. Too bad I don’t believe in miracles, and that’s what it would take for someone to find me out here.”

“Where’s Wilde when you need him, huh?” His lip curled. “Looks like he ditched you as soon as he got his share of the cash.”

Ainslee pressed a hand to her chest but stayed silent.

“
If
you’re not lying to me about making that bank deposit. I think I’ll verify your story, just to be sure.”

“You’re welcome to check my purse. I’m telling the truth.”

“I don’t need your permission, bitch.” Crossing to the wood stove, he pulled a coiled rope off a shelf behind it. “Gotta love the Boy Scouts. Always prepared.”

“Is that what this place is, a Boy Scout shelter?”

“Not that it matters, but yes.” He looped the rope around her and the chair, pulled it tight and knotted it.

She bit back a cry as the hemp dug into her breasts.

“That should hold you while I’m gone.” Without a backward glance, he left, slamming the door behind him.

Ainslee jerked against the bonds but couldn’t move an inch. After struggling for several minutes, a cry ripped from her throat. No way would she be able to get loose. She was at the mercy of a man who’d already tried to kill her on more than one occasion. Silence settled around her, broken only by an occasional creak or moan as the wind blew in gusts off the ocean. Rocky had stopped barking some time before, and she didn’t even want to think about why. Tears ran down her face and soaked into the neck of her shirt. She choked back another sob.

Surely Griff had called for help when their conversation was cut off. Someone must be looking for her. She had to believe help would come. Closing her eyes, she let out a long, shaky breath and prayed—for a miracle.

Griff rented a car at the airport and made the drive into the city in what had to be record time. At this late hour, traffic was sparse and parking near the police station available. He pulled up to the curb, got out then jammed quarters into the meter before running up the sidewalk. When he’d spoken to Carter right before the movie studio’s private jet landed, the detective had assured him he’d have the warrant signed and a trace put on Ainslee’s phone within the hour. There’d been no sighting of the SUV. Time was up. If Griff had to hang around the station doing nothing, imagining what was happening to Ainslee, he’d lose his mind. Pulling open the door, he entered the overly warm lobby and headed straight to the front desk.

The officer on duty, an older woman with frosted hair, gave him a bright smile from behind the protective glass. “May I help you?”

“I’m Griff Wilde here to see Detective Carter. He’s expecting me.”

“I’ll get him for you, sir.” She picked up the phone, spoke then gave a nod. “He’ll be right down.”

Griff blew out a long breath. It was almost midnight. Ainslee had been with the freak who’d grabbed her for nearly four hours. He had to believe she was okay. Surely the asshole wouldn’t hurt her. He’d need her to get the painting and necklace back from the appraiser—if that was still what the man wanted. Shoving shaking hands into his pockets, he paced the tiled floor.

The interior door opened, and a stout man with close-cropped gray hair hurried through. “Are you Wilde?”

Griff nodded and held out his hand. Detective Carter’s clasp was firm as he gave it a brief shake.

“Do you know where Ainslee is?”

“They’re pinpointing her exact location. The phone signal is from north of here, somewhere near Tomales Bay. I have the local authorities searching for her vehicle in the area, and I’m on my way up there now. Without traffic, I should make it in an hour.”

“Great. Let’s go. I don’t want to waste another second.”

The man frowned. “You’re not going anywhere. My partner will be around with the car in a minute, and I’m not taking a civilian into what could be a potentially dangerous situation. You’d only be in the way. Go find yourself a hotel room and sit tight.”

“But—”

“I have your cell number. I’ll keep you informed.” With a nod, he pushed open the door and strode out to the street.

Griff followed, stopping on the sidewalk when Carter climbed into a gray sedan. As soon as the detectives pulled away, he sprinted the half block to his rental car. “Sit tight my ass.” Jamming the key in the ignition, he peeled out onto the street with a screech of tires. The only place he was going was to find Ainslee.

* * * *

Ainslee huddled on one of the wooden bunks that lined the walls, arms wrapped around her knees to ward off the chill in the air, hoping the huge, hairy brown spider that had just scurried into a crack hadn’t gone to get reinforcements. Not that a whole colony of spiders would be her biggest problem at the moment. After returning from her car, the freak had released her then gone outside for a cigarette. Odd that a man who hadn’t hesitated to smack her upside the head several times would have the courtesy to smoke elsewhere. His mood had improved slightly. Having found the cashier’s check stub in her purse, he apparently no longer suspected her of lying about what they’d done with the treasure. Still, even if she retrieved the necklace and painting from the gallery without incident, she wasn’t sure how he expected to get away without the police tracking him down.

Unless he intended to kill her. That would explain why he’d made no effort to hide his identity. Not that the lunatic had actually told her who he was, but she wondered if he would if she asked. No reason not to. If she was going to die anyway, she might as well satisfy her curiosity first.

Her fists clenched. Except she wasn’t ready to give up. An image of Griff, green eyes bright with life and laughter, flashed through her mind. Despite the damp chill in the room, merely thinking about Griff warmed her. She had way too much to live for to let this psycho win. If there was any justice in the world, he’d settle down, fall asleep, and then she’d stick his own knife through his ribs.

A raised voice outside the shack broke through her morbid thoughts. Rising to her feet, Ainslee crossed the room to the door then eased it open a crack. Her captor stood with his back to her, his cell pressed to one ear.

“I told you, I’m handling it.” He bent to stub out a cigarette. “Don’t get squeamish on me now. I don’t give a shit if you draw the line at murder. I haven’t wasted the last couple of weeks of my life racing around the country only to walk away empty-handed.”

Ainslee pressed her forehead to the door as her heart thumped painfully. Could she slip out while he was distracted? She had to try. If he caught her, he wouldn’t kill her. Not yet, anyway. Not until he had the treasure.

He still needs me. Doesn’t he?

“Jesus, Marietta, you’re giving me a headache. Just shut up and relax. I’ll call you when it’s finished.”

Pushing open the door, Ainslee bolted across the clearing straight into the woods. Hands out in front of her, she charged through the bushes. Limbs slapped her, scratching her face. She didn’t slow, panting for breath as she ran. When her foot caught, she slammed to the ground. Pushing up, she stumbled ahead. The thrashing and swearing behind her gave her a burst of terror induced speed.

A hand wrapped in her hair and jerked her to a stop. Pain exploded as hair ripped from her scalp.

“Bitch!”

A blow to the head knocked her sideways, sending her spiraling into darkness.

* * * *

Griff stayed well back of the unmarked police car. No reason to rouse their suspicion, and with so little traffic on the highway it was easy enough to keep track of their taillights, despite the fog drifting across the road. When the red glow disappeared, he stomped on the gas to catch up and nearly missed the exit into the State Park.

Had the cops left the highway here?
Was this where the freak took Ainslee?

Turning on the road to Tomales Bay, Griff nearly rear-ended the gray sedan stopped in the middle of the road. Breaking hard, he jerked to a halt. The rap on his side window sent his heart into his throat. Slowly he lowered the glass.

“God damn it, I told you to leave this to us.”

He couldn’t see the speaker with a light shining in his face, but he recognized Carter’s voice.

“So shoot me.”

The beam lowered. “I just might.”

“We can’t shoot him, but we can arrest him. We’ll lock him up in the car.” The second voice was higher and filled with annoyance.

“Where’s Ainslee?” Griff directed the question at Carter.

The detective let out a sigh. “Her vehicle was abandoned with the phone in it not far from here. The local police haven’t located anyone yet, so the perp must have taken her into the forest. There’s no trail at the point where they left the SUV, so searching the vicinity will take some time.”

“I can help. Every man out there is valuable if the area is large.”

Carter turned toward his partner. “He’s right, Morales. The locals only have four officers searching. What do you think?”

“Let’s discuss it in the car.”

Carter smacked a hand down on the roof. “The SUV is just ahead. Stay close.”

“Sure.” Griff waited until the two detectives returned to their vehicle and drove forward then followed. When Ainslee’s SUV came into view, parked along the side of the road, his lips tightened. He was afraid to imagine what the asshole who’d grabbed her was doing to her while the local cops floundered in the woods, searching for them.

After pulling into the line of official vehicles, Griff got out, locked the rental and hurried over to the two detectives.

Morales spoke into his radio. A moment later, the younger detective turned toward his partner. “After searching the beach areas and coming up empty, the locals went straight into the woods then fanned to the south. I told them we’d cover the northern section.” He jerked a thumb toward Griff. “Let’s lock him up and go.”

“What?” His voice rose. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“I can’t risk letting you loose in the woods with a man who’s presumably armed.” Carter scowled. “It’s just asking for more trouble.”

“But—”

“You need to stay here in the vehicle.”

Morales planted his hands on his hips. “We’d better lock him inside the car. I don’t trust him.”

Blood pounded in his head. Griff clenched his fists and forced a steady response. “How long will you be gone?”

“How the hell would we know?” The younger officer spoke first. “Until we find them.”

“And if I have to take a leak while you’re out looking?”

“We can’t leave him locked up indefinitely.” Carter turned back to face Griff. “Stay here. Do you understand? You could get yourself or Miss Fontaine killed going off into the woods half-cocked.”

Griff gritted his teeth. “I’ll wait.”

The detective gave him a sharp look. “Make sure you do.”

Walking back to the rental car, his shoes slapped the pavement. He unlocked the door, opened it and slipped onto the seat.

“Stay in contact.” Carter’s voice was muffled as he spoke to his partner. “The marine layer’s so thick tonight we can’t see squat.”

The two detectives moved away. Once they entered the wooded area, their lights flashed every now and then but soon disappeared in the encroaching fog.

Griff gave them a two minute head start before pulling a small flashlight from the glovebox. He climbed out of the car and shut the door with a soft click. He was pretty sure Carter knew he wouldn’t play by the rules. The man wasn’t an idiot. Still, he wouldn’t risk blatantly giving them a reason to follow through on their threat to lock him up. Not now. Not before they found Ainslee. If they arrested him later, so be it.

Leaving the road, he headed into the woods. The thick fog muffled sound. He trudged onward at a steady pace, wondering if he was headed in the right direction. He couldn’t be sure if he was falling behind the two officers or moving ahead of them. Pushing through the underbrush, he shined the light into the woods around him, looking for any movement, any possible place to hide.

Had he gone too far and somehow missed seeing Ainslee in the dark? Surely he’d been walking forever. Every minute seemed like an eternity with fear eating at his gut. Why the hell had the lunatic dragged her out here instead of sitting tight in a motel room for the night?