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They didn’t have a cell phone unless there was one in the van. They needed out of here, and she needed medical attention.

“Help me up.” She held up her free hand to her sister.

Eve struggled to assist in pulling her up. The accompanying discomfort took Vera’s breath. Had her gritting her teeth.

“You are not okay,” Eve wailed.

Vera rode out a particularly nasty surge of pain. Grabbed the bastard’s arm again. “Just get me to that van.”

They took a step, then another, the weight of Patrick’s body dragging at her arm.

“Just let him go,” Eve cried, tears streaming down her face. “We can’t keep going with you dragging him.”

“The only way I’m leaving him behind is if he’s dead.”

Eve’s face went hard. “Then let me kill him.”

Vera stalled. Almost laughed out loud. “Don’t think I’m not tempted.”

“Vee!”

Bent’s voice.

Her body sagged with relief. “Over here!”

Eve hugged her tight and started to sob once more. Vera hugged her back. Grimaced at the pain pulsating through her torso.

They were going to be okay. Bent was here.Thank God!

She stared down at the bastard on the ground. He was still breathing. Too bad, really. Then again, sudden death was too good for him. Let him suffer over time the way he’d made his victims suffer. She wanted to kick him, but she couldn’t find the strength to move her leg. She was fading fast. Everything hurt. Her brain was getting foggy again.

But they were alive. She kissed Eve’s forehead. “Love you,” she murmured.

Bent was suddenly there, pulling her into his arms.

Eric was right behind him. He took care of Eve.

Vera tried to smile, but her lips wouldn’t cooperate.

A half dozen deputies emerged from the woods and surrounded the piece of shit on the ground.

Vera laid her head against Bent’s chest and closed her eyes.

She was done.

40

Lincoln Medical CenterMedical Center Boulevard, Fayetteville, 4:00 p.m.

Vera’s eyes opened. Eve was staring down at her. Vera managed a smile, though she felt seriously loopy.

“You scared the hell out of me,” Eve said.

Vera laughed a rusty sound. Her side hurt, and she winced. She lifted the blanket and stared down at the hospital gown. “Any serious damage?” She looked to her sister.

“Just a lot of blood and stitches.”

Vera studied the bandages on her arms. She remembered some of the stitching. Mostly she remembered Bent being there and how worried he’d looked.