Page 60 of Before the Night Falls

CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE

Tyson continued searching the horizon, desperate to catch a glimpse of that cabin cruiser Olivia had departed in.

He couldn’t lose hope. There was still a good chance they could find her.

They had to find her.

The boat rocked back and forth, the water rocky.

“Anything?” Walleye asked as he stood at the helm.

“No, keep going!” Tyson shouted over the sound of the engine.

“Aye-aye, Captain.”

Tyson had a feeling this guy didn’t care what happened, not as long as he got paid.

Finally, Tyson thought he saw a light up ahead, barely visible in the darkness.

He blinked, unsure if he was seeing things.

But as they got closer, he realized he wasn’t.

There was a boat in the distance.

Someone else was out there!

He had to know if it was Olivia.

“Over there!” he shouted to Walleye.

The man nodded and kicked the throttle into higher gear as they skimmed across the choppy water.

As they traveled, Tyson continued to pray.

He prayed the police would be here soon.

He prayed for wisdom.

But most of all, he prayed that Olivia was safe.

* * *

Now, Olivia. Now!

She couldn’t wait for another opportunity—because another opportunity might not come.

She gripped the rose, her fingers now bloody.

Then she raised it and plunged the stem through the only opening in the mask.

The eyehole.

Wes howled with pain and bent forward.

Horror swept through Olivia as she realized what she’d done.

But she’d had no choice.

And now she needed to run.

She swept past Wes, her legs wobbly.

He muttered curses behind her.

She kept moving.

She had to make the most of every second.

She rushed up the steps to the top deck and glanced around.

What now? Jump overboard? Find a life jacket? A lifeboat?

Before she could decide, movement sounded behind her.

A hand over his injured eye, Wes rushed up the steps.

She had to move.

Now!

She ran toward the railing.

As she did, she saw a light in the distance.

Another boat?

But as quickly as she saw it, the light disappeared.

Maybe she’d been seeing things.

“Wait till I get my hands on you, you little . . .” Wes lunged toward her.

That was when Olivia realized she had no choice.

She had to jump.