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There were many things Vera would like to say to that, but she resisted. No need to egg on his wrath.

“By the way,” he said with a sickening smile, “happy birthday.”

Vera gritted her teeth to hold back aFuck off.

“Let us all sing happy birthday to Vera,” he directed. “Happy birthday,” he began, waving his arms in encouragement to the others.

Patton joined in. Eve turned to Vera as she did the same. The guy bleeding out didn’t appear to have the energy. Vera wasn’t sure whose voice sounded the most pathetic, Patton’s or Eve’s. Her sister blinked back tears as their gazes met.

Vera wished she could hug her.

When the singing concluded, Patrick clapped loudly. “Bravo.”

“Look,” Vera said, “why don’t you release the three of them, then you and I can go somewhere private and get this party started. Someplace we won’t be found.”

He smirked. “You would do that, would you?” he said to Vera.

“No question.” She leaned forward. “Call it my birthday present. The truth is, it’s me you want. You don’t need all this baggage slowing us down.”

“You are exactly right,” he said.

In a swift, unexpected move, he stabbed Patton. Deep. Then he shoved her to the floor near her friend, who appeared to have gone unconscious. Shock claimed the reporter’s face as blood bloomed across the front of her white sweater.

Vera bit her lips together for a moment to ride out the scream burgeoning in her throat. Her chest tightened to the point of stopping her heart. She had to do something. Now!

But there was nothing she could do ... except ...

“Look,” she urged. “We should go. Finding us will be way too easy if we linger here too long.” If they left now, maybe Bent or some of his deputies would find Patton and her friend before it was too late. Dear God ... they were dying right in front of her.

Ignoring her completely, Patrick reached out and sliced his blade first across the cameraman’s throat, then Patton’s. Blood spewed from the ugly gaps created. Then, as if he’d only been butchering hogs, he swiped his blade clean on Patton’s white trousers.

Next to Vera, Eve started to sob.Deep breath.Vera had to regain control ... couldn’t let this piece of shit get to her with his theatrics. She could grieve the dead later. Right now she had to stay focused on stopping him ... somehow.

“Really,” she said more firmly, barely able to press out the word, “we should go.”

“I want you”—he turned back to Vera—“to know how this level of loss feels.”

The idea that he meant killing Eve speared through Vera. Fear erupted inside her, rained down like volcanic ash. “We don’t have time for you to play, Patrick. If you’re going to do this, we need to move.”

“In good time.” He smiled, the expression evil. He walked out and slammed the door, as if he had all the time in the world.

“You shouldn’t have come,” Eve whispered, her teary gaze connecting with Vera’s.

“How could I save you,” Vera whispered back, trying to sound strong and confident, “if I didn’t show up?”

Eve laid her head on Vera’s shoulder. “Bent will be pissed.”

“Yeah.” Vera allowed her cheek to rest against her sister’s hair. The only thing that mattered to her right now was saving her sister’s life.

“I’m scared, Vee,” Eve whispered, as if she feared the bastard outside would hear her.

“Don’t worry,” she whispered back. “I’m going to kill this piece of shit.”

36

Carter FarmColdwater Creek Road, Taft, Tennessee, 9:35 a.m.

Bent struggled to catch his breath. He’d run all the way up and then all the way back down that damned hill. Deputy Fowler had rushed to get his vehicle so they could follow Vera. They were now barreling in the direction she’d gone. The county cruiser just wouldn’t go fast enough for Bent.