Page 95 of Cold as Hell

“Early contractions,” I say firmly. “But I’d like to go a little slower. Can you get Yolanda to town and send someone back for me? I’ll keep moving. I just need to slow down.”

“I’m fine,” Yolanda croaks. “We’ll go as slow as you need, Casey.”

I bite back my frustration. The contractions are coming stronger and lasting longer, and I want to just stop walking andrest. Give me five minutes, and I’ll be fine. But I can’t do that because Yolanda needs to get to April now.

Anders has me go in front so he can match my pace. Which means I need to keep moving even when a contraction has my legs wobbling—

“Who’s there?” Anders says.

I stop fast. Someone’s to our left, sitting or crouching by the lake.

“Just me,” a voice says. “Move along.”

“Grant?” I say.

A grumbling sigh, and Grant stands. Then he squints over at us.

“Is that Yolanda?” Grant says. “Where are her boots?”

Not the first question I’d ask seeing Anders carrying Yolanda, but yes, I guess bare feet in winter is odd. I back up to tuck her feet into the scarf we’d wrapped around them.

“She’s hurt,” I say. “Will needs to take her to town, and I can’t keep up. Would you escort me, please?”

Anders starts to protest. Then he stops and looks at me and murmurs, “Right. Not a suspect.”

Yep, since we know who killed Lynn, Grant is off the suspect list. Leaving me with him for the short walk to town is fine.

“Go,” I say. “Please.”

“Grant?” Anders says.

He’s still staring at Yolanda. “Is she okay?”

“I’m fine,” Yolanda croaks again. “Casey is having contractions.”

“Shit.” Grant stares at me like I’ve sprouted a second head. “The baby’s coming?”

“Eventually,” I say. “Right now, I’m having early contractions and can’t keep up. Would you please escort me to town?”

He nods and turns to Anders. “You go on.” He pauses, peeringat Yolanda. “Wait. If she’s not wearing anything on her feet, does that mean the same guy—”

“Will really needs to move,” I say. Then to Anders, “I’ve got this.”

“Twenty minutes,” Anders says. “I’m taking Yolanda to April, and if I don’t see you within twenty minutes, I’m heading back.”

I wave a hand. “I’ll be there. Just let me rest for a few seconds.”

“Afew.”

I shake my head, and Anders leaves with Yolanda. Then I turn to Grant.

“Yes, she was attacked. Eric and his brother are tracking the suspect now.”

His gaze sharpens. “Who is it?”

“I’m not authorized to say, but you’ll be the first to know.”

“So it wasn’t me?” he says as his jaw sets. “You blamed me—”