Page 28

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Perry

Ugh, I feel like shit. My mouth was cotton dry, and my temples pounded. It wasn’t the same type of pain my migraines brought. I could work through this, but it still made my stomach queasy. My nose twitched, and I sneezed twice, which did nothing for my burgeoning headache. The smell of smoke filtered in after I’d recovered from my sneezing fit. The burning smell was tagged as a campfire in my memory bank.

I was lying on my side. The ground was hard. Shifting my face told me I wasn’t on dirt but something rougher—concrete. Dirty concrete. I sneezed again.

“Hello, sleepyhead. It’s nice to see you awake, Perry.”

I blinked the dust from my eyes. They itched, and I started to bring my hands up to rub them when I realized that wasn’t happening. My wrists were tied behind my back. A little wiggling told me it wasn’t rope.

“Zip tie, I’m afraid.” Dr. Schroder didn’t sound terribly apologetic. “I can’t have you toddling off before my mission is complete.”

I shifted, trying to lift my chest off the ground and sit up. I didn’t like lying on my side like this. It was making my headache worse, and the constant dusty assault kept making me want to sneeze.

“Here, let me help you.” Firm hands grasped my shoulders and sat me up. Thankfully, the world didn’t spin as much as I’d feared. I leaned against a wooden structure of some kind and took in my surroundings. It wasn’t as bright as before, which was a good thing considering I’d taken off without my sunglasses or sun visor.

Dr. Schroder’s battered body came into view again. The bruise on her head looked real, as did the cut. What in the hell was going on? Throat dry, I asked “W-Willie?” I’d meant to ask if he hit her, if he’d truly abducted her or not, but I couldn’t manage more.

Dr. Schroder waved away my question. “It was necessary.” I followed the direction of her glance and had to swallow the bile racing up my throat. Willie lay there—dead. I could make out the dark stain under his body. The campfire overrode the scent of blood. “The ruse needs to be believable, and sometimes that means enduring a little pain.” Dr. Schroder gently touched the swelling around her eye. “I believe Willie truly enjoyed hitting me. I’ll consider it a parting gift.” She poked the fire with a stick while sitting on what looked like an overturned plastic bucket.

I blamed the chemical knockout and my fuzzy head when I didn’t immediately process Dr. Schroder’s words. They hit me like a freight train, and I blurted out, “You killed him.”

“Yes, dear. He’s very dead. I’m afraid poor William didn’t see that one coming. He overestimated his value to the Company.” Dr. Schroder gave Willie’s corpse a sympathetic glance. “It was one of many personality flaws Willie could not overcome. He did not envision a time when his usefulness would come to an end. Very shortsighted on his part.” With a heavy sigh, Dr. Schroder added, “His obsession with you was one thing, but the Company cannot condone one of our employees taking contracts outside Company jurisdiction. It’s expressly written into their employment contract. Willie knew the risks and the consequences.”

I tried blinking the dryness from my eyes. They were gritty and itched something awful. I tried to say something again, but my throat was too raw.

“Here, let me help with that.” Dr. Schroder closed the distance and held a bottle of water with a straw to my lips. When I hesitated, she tutted at me. “It’s not poisoned. If I wanted you dead, you’d be dead. Go on, slack your thirst.”

I drank, all the while keeping my eyes on the woman holding the bottle and me hostage. When I was done, I asked, “Why am I still alive?” For that matter, I wasn’t even really sure why I’d been taken. That thought brought memories roaring forward, and panic set in. “Nate! Where’s Nate? You said—”

“I say a lot of things.” Dr. Schroder sat back down, absently poking the fire again. “Beyond a headache and possible concussion, your detective is fine. Well, I’m sure by now he’s panicking and very worried about you, but physically he’ll live. For now.”

Brief relief dissolved into bitter fear. “ For now? ”

Dr. Schroder sent me a pitying look. “I’m sorry, Perry. I’m afraid you know too much, as does your detective. I promise to make it quick. As a general rule, I don’t enjoy torture and have no desire to put you through more pain. As to why you are currently still alive, that answer is and isn’t so simple. Information.”

I tried working past the fear. I wasn’t dead yet. I still had Nate’s gun and… I didn’t have the gun. It was gone. That heavy weight was no longer sitting at the small of my back. Squirming didn’t make it magically appear.

“Looking for this?” Dr. Schroder held up Nate’s gun. I didn’t know enough about firearms to fully recognize it, but it looked familiar. “I hadn’t expected to find a weapon on you, Perry. I would imagine this is your fiancé’s gun. Not bad thinking on your part, even though it was pointless.” She laid the gun down beside her as if my getting ahold of it wasn’t a threat.

Heart pounding, my eyes traversed the small area I was contained in. There wasn’t much to it. I remembered what I’d seen when I was outside looking in and didn’t find anything to add to that picture. My brain tumbled, looking for options and finding none. My ankles were tied just like my hands. If I could stand, I could maybe hop around, but that was about all. At best, I’d be an unbalanced pogo stick trying to traverse a dense forest.

As my brain scrambled, one word kept bouncing back to the fore. Information . Dr. Schroder said she needed it. On that, we could agree.

This time, when I swallowed, my throat wasn’t as dry. “What information are you after?”

Dr. Schroder glanced at her wrist, her watch lighting up with the movement. A small frown tugged her lips before she answered, “The kind that others are unwilling to give up without a little extra motivation.” She turned an indulgent smile on me. “It seems Malcom has gotten a little careless and loose-lipped when it comes to Company business. It’s never wise to pique board members’ concern.”

If Nate hadn’t told me what he knew about Maverick Insurance, I would have been even more lost than I currently was. I had no idea what Company Dr. Schroder alluded to and didn’t think knowing would save my bacon now. She checked her watch again and sighed.

“Are we late for something?” I asked. Maybe if I could keep her talking, I could figure out how to get out of this mess and get to Nate.

“Not really. I’m afraid I’ll need to leave soon.” She held up a manilla envelope similar to the ones I’d seen before. “I need to deliver the bait and clues to find you. There are some equally unflattering pictures of me in here.” She shook the envelope and looked at Willie again. “They were Willie’s final work of art.” Tossing the envelope on the ground, Dr. Schroder poked the fire with her stick again. “I removed your bracelet. I didn’t want an audience too soon. Hopefully, if your detective is good at following directions, he’ll arrive alone. If not,” Dr. Schroder shrugged. “I’ll deal with those consequences as well.”

I’d lost count of how many times my heart stuttered to a stop. “Nate won’t come alone. He’s not that foolish.” I didn’t want Nate to come at all. I didn’t want him anywhere near this woman.

“You could be correct.” Dr. Schroder gave me a placating smile, one reserved for wayward children. “As I said, if that’s the case, I’ll deal with the consequences. It would be a shame to take out Malcom at this juncture, but sometimes, needs must.” Swiveling on her bucket, Dr. Schroder placed her elbows on her knees and leaned toward me. “It hasn’t been easy playing nice with Malcom.” She tapped her temple. “The man is in his position for a reason. He’s a worthy opponent, but time has made him soft. At least when it comes to you and some of his other favored employees. Loyalty is important. Loyalty to the Company is even more important.”

I turned that over and said, “I don’t understand.”

That earned me another one of those indulgent smiles I was beginning to hate. “Of course you don’t, dear. You’re not a typical employee. Let’s take Delia Carpenter, for instance.”

I stiffened at the mention of Delia’s name, and Dr. Schroder laughed. “Oh, I see. Even knowing what she does for a living, you still like her. I understand. Delia is a very capable agent. She is perhaps the Company’s biggest prize.” I didn’t like hearing Dr. Schroder talk about Delia like she was an asset instead of a person.

“Then what’s the problem?”

“The problem is that Delia’s loyalty, as well as other Maverick Insurance employees, is under doubt. She appears to be more loyal to one person in particular than the Company.”

“Malcom.”

Dr. Schroder sighed. “It would seem so. Such connections are cause for concern. While we want our employees to get along, to trust their handlers, there is a line that must not be crossed.”

I leaned my head against the shelter wall. “You’re worried.”

She scoffed. “That would be an exaggeration. We are merely concerned .”

“You’re worried,” I corrected, and Dr. Schroder’s lips pinched like she’d sipped on something sour.

“Believe what you will. It doesn’t matter. What does matter is what your detective knows and what evidence he’s collected. I would assume his partner, Natalie Jones, is just as much aware. If there is further concern, she will be dealt with as well.”

I shot forward, nearly toppling again. “Nat’s got kids. You can’t—”

“We can, and we will.” Dr. Schroder’s tone was chilling. “We will eliminate the loose ends Malcom has allowed to fester. The Company requires proof of wrongdoing when it comes to employees of Malcom Johnson’s stature. Today’s exercise is a means to that end. Detective Harmon will do anything to protect you. He will answer any and all questions I ask, even if that places others at risk. Love is a tricky beast, Perry. It can give you wings or drop you down to the deepest pits of Hell. Detective Harmon will find that out tonight and once I have the information I need, Malcom’s employment status will change. I would imagine the one that hired me will want to personally fire Malcom, but if I need to take him out sooner, my employer will understand. I will attempt to salvage Delia’s employment. I am uncertain about Maverick’s other employees.”

She hadn’t said a word about Gabe. Would he be on her list as well? God, I hoped not. Nate had asked me if it made a difference—knowing what Delia did for a living. It did and didn’t. Maybe I didn’t agree with it, but she was still my friend. Nate was right; I couldn’t just flip a switch and turn off my feelings. I cared what happened to Delia. I cared a lot. I also cared what happened to Gabe and Maverick’s other employees. They’d just had a baby shower before the retreat. Someone was about to become a parent. Didn’t that mean anything to these people? It hadn’t when I’d brought up Nat’s kids.

Dr. Schroder checked her watch again. “I’m afraid I really must go. These photos won’t deliver themselves.” Dr. Schroder stood, stretching her arms above her head, not nearly as injured as I’d first assumed. “Hopefully, this won’t take long and—” Dr. Schroder’s body tensed and her head turned.

Rustling sounded in the forest not far from the shelter. My heart picked up speed, pounding even harder when Nate walked into the clearing. My breath stuttered. Nate looked wrecked. His face was sallow, and his eyes were pinched. Even in the dying light, I could see the strain tugging his otherwise handsome features.

Nate’s gaze quickly went from Dr. Schroder to me, eventually landing on Willie’s dead body. The flare of rage was quick and barely squashed. “Perry,” Nate said my name like a prayer. “You okay?”

“Not so much. You?”

“Same.” Nate’s features softened.

“Willie’s dead,” I stated bluntly, unsure if Nate could see Willie’s corpse well enough to tell it was him.

“I can see that,” Nate coldly said. “I assume we have Dr. Schroder to thank for that.”

Dr. Schroder stood and carefully shifted to the side. She picked Nate’s gun up again, and his eyes trailed to it. I wanted to apologize for inadvertently giving our enemy another weapon. Assuming we made it out of this mess alive, I’d beg forgiveness later.

With her back now to me, I couldn’t see Dr. Schroder’s expression. Her voice was clipped as she said, “You don’t appear that surprised to see me, Detective.”

Nate’s hands fisted at his sides. “It wasn’t Willie’s voice I heard right before I passed out.”

“I hadn’t realized you were still conscious.” Dr. Schroder’s posture eased. “Willie is sorry he couldn’t fully attend today. I’m sure he would have thoroughly enjoyed this evening.”

Nate’s eyebrows rose. “So, you’re working solo now? I’d assumed you and Willie were a sadistic team of some type. No honor among thieves I guess—or, in this case, assassins.”

Dr. Schroder’s laughter sounded too light for the occasion. “Oh, Detective, you are delightful.”

Nate didn’t look impressed. “I guess Willie outlived his usefulness. No more horrid photos or taunting gestures required.”

“Nothing I can’t handle without him,” Dr. Schroder happily answered.

“You’ve got problems,” I mumbled. “Serious problems.” Dr. Schroder needed mental help more than anyone I’d ever met. At least Willie seemed to know he was a sadistic asshole and relished the role. Dr. Schroder was deluding herself.

My comment earned Dr. Schroder’s attention and irritation. “Leave the diagnosis to the professionals. You are woefully uneducated in the matter.”

Nate defended me. “He might be uneducated, but that doesn’t make Perry’s assessment wrong.”

Dr. Schroder’s jaw tightened and worked back and forth before she turned her back on me again, hiding her ire. “Your opinions are irrelevant, and time is short. I require information, Detective Harmon, and you are going to provide it.” Dr. Schroder’s head shifted ever so slightly, her eyes scanning the surrounding area. “How did you find Perry so quickly, Detective?” Dr. Schroder’s voice hardened.

Nate ignored the question and asked, “Or what?” Nate crossed his arms over his chest. “If you think I’m buying that you just plan on letting us walk out of here, no further harm done, then you must really think I’m an idiot.”

Dr. Schroder gripped the gun tighter. “I never thought you mentally deficient, Detective. What I do believe is that you love Perry and have no desire to see him suffer, and believe me, I can make him suffer greatly before death claims him. I’m giving you the option of an easy death or a miserable one. The choice is yours.”

“You told me you didn’t want to torture me. You promised I’d die quickly,” I protested, wondering what universe I’d been dropped into that made me angry about the way I was going to die, not the fact that I was.

“So far, I haven’t gone back on my word. As I said, the choice is in your fiancé’s hands.”

Nate barked out a harsh laugh. “What’s your game plan? Do you think Malcom’s going to take Perry’s death lying down? He’ll be pissed.”

“And after the wrong person,” Dr. Schroder argued. “Everything will point to Willie. Malcom doesn’t know Willie’s dead. I’ve been taken also.”

“You think that bruise and cut on your head will be convincing enough?” Nate asked. “Self-inflicted, I assume.”

I answered “No, she let Willie punch her.”

Dr. Schroder’s shoulders tensed, but she didn’t argue. “It was simple enough. Malcom’s so eager to blame everything on Willie that he won’t even consider another option.”

“You sound pretty sure of that,” Nate said. There was a hint of something in his tone, something I wasn’t sure Dr. Schroder picked up on. Now that I had, I realized Nate didn’t appear as distraught as I felt. Oh, he was worried, but he wasn’t as emotionally beaten down as me. Nate had something up his sleeve; I could feel it.

My gaze tracked the surrounding woods, searching for something I couldn’t readily identify. Had Nat gotten here? Was she out in the woods? Had Captain Barrington come with her? A swell of hope filled my chest. Dr. Schroder had been so certain Nate would come alone, that he wouldn’t risk me. But if Nate already knew she wasn’t letting us walk away, what would he have had to lose?

I started twisting my hands with renewed purpose, not that I had a prayer of getting free of the zip tie. Those things were a bitch when wrapped around flesh. Pointless though it might be, wiggling and twisting my hands were the only things I could think of. Since my squirming wasn’t much of a threat, Dr. Schroder ignored me, her odd conversation continuing with Nate. My wrists ached and slicked with my blood.

My hands hit the wooden boards behind me, scraping and bruising my knuckles. I leaned forward, trying to keep my fingers away from the harsh wood but they hit again, only this time, the board moved.

I sucked in a harsh breath and purposefully tapped the surface again. It wiggled even more. I started to pull my hand away, and the board shifted even more, pulling away from my body without me touching it.

Whisper soft, Gabe’s voice drifted from behind me. “Easy, Perry. Stay still for a second.”

I slammed my mouth closed, teeth clenching against the urge to cry for joy. I wanted to say Gabe’s name so badly. Eyes wide, I stared at Dr. Schroder’s back. Her hands were moving, gesticulating her words while Nate’s gun haphazardly waved around. I couldn’t believe what a good actor Nate was. He did come with a plan, and that plan was currently cutting through the zip tie securing my wrists.

“Keep your hands behind your back,” Gabe warned. “We don’t want to tip the psychopath off.” Gabe’s voice was still barely audible, so hushed I strained to hear him. “I can’t get to your feet, but I’m going to loosen the boards around you. When the time is right, slam your body backward. You’ll fall right through. Squeeze your hands once if you understand.”

I squeezed.

“Excellent. We’ve got this. Stay safe and stay down.” Gabe squeezed my upper arm and then, to the best of my knowledge, he left.

My eyes had to be the size of saucers as I stared past Dr. Schroder, watching Nate’s flushed face twist with increasing anger. It was a smoldering type of rage. The deadliest kind. It was controlled, methodical, and pointed. Nate barely looked my way, his focus on the woman with the weapon.

“The police can’t prove anything,” Nate protested, tone barely more than a growl. “Don’t you think I would have hauled Malcom’s ass into the precinct if I had any solid evidence to charge him?”

“No, Detective, I don’t.” Dr. Schroder’s arms fell to her sides, Nate’s gun still in her hand.

“And why the hell not? You’re a damn psychologist. Don’t tell me you didn’t pick up on the fact that I can barely stand the man.” I didn’t think Nate had to put a lot of acting effort into that one.

Dr. Schroder chuckled. “No, that is fairly obvious to anyone paying attention. However, Perry doesn’t feel the same. Or at least, he didn’t feel that way before learning the truth. When Perry was still in the dark regarding Maverick Insurance’s true business model, you kept quiet to preserve Perry’s happiness. Now that he’s aware, Perry will quit.” Dr. Schroder shrugged. “Perry isn’t the type of person who can continue working for a company that isn’t totally above board.”

Above board? Was that the extent of Dr. Schroder’s commentary on the fact that Maverick Insurance was really a murder-for-hire enterprise? My God, these people had a way of understating things.

“So, he quits,” Nate argued back. “Perry’s out, and we’ve no longer got any interest in Maverick Insurance.”

Dr. Schroder sighed heavily. “Really, Detective, do you believe me that foolish? With Perry safely extracted, there will be nothing holding you and Detective Jones from further investigation and, more importantly, acting upon those investigations. That is a risk the Company isn’t willing to tolerate.”

Nate stiffened at the mention of Nat’s name. “Like I said, we can’t prove anything.”

“Not yet,” Dr. Schroder said, her tone nearly apologetic. “It’s a shame, really. On a personal level, I’ve become fond of you and Perry. I’ve spent so much time watching your interactions, observing your comings and goings.”

God, I feel sick.

“For what it’s worth, it’s been refreshing witnessing such a healthy relationship. It’s a shame to cut it short. However, orders are orders, and I’m afraid mine come straight from the top.”

I’d been silent so long I think I surprised Nate and Dr. Schroder when I said, “Someone above her wants Malcom fired.” I remembered Malcom referring to Willie’s dismissal that way and only now realized firing equated to death in Maverick Insurance’s world.

Dr. Schroder turned just enough that she could keep Nate and me within her sights. I swallowed at the cold gleam in her eyes. “Such a little tattletale. I hadn’t pegged you for the gossiping sort.”

I kept my hands clasped behind my back, cursing my big mouth for drawing Dr. Schroder’s attention my way. But as the saying goes, in for a penny… “Considering you just admitted as much to me a few minutes ago, I didn’t think it was a secret.” I stuck my chin out and tried to appear defiant.

“Hmm… Well, I suppose that’s true.” Personality turning on a dime, Dr. Schroder’s lips twisted into a happy little grin. “Not that it matters. You won’t be able to tell anyone else, and Detective Harmon won’t live long enough to share his knowledge either.”

My mouth slipped open, unsure what I was about to say. Regardless, my words weren’t the ones that fell into the silence of the woods. I had the distinct pleasure of staring into Dr. Schroder’s eyes as they grew impossibly wide, their whites clearly visible in the low-banked campfire.

“Such confidence, Lydia.” Malcom’s words preceded his appearance. The man emerged from the forest in a ghost-like mist, solidifying into something dangerous.

Dr. Schroder took a step back, her fingers tightening around Nate’s gun. At some point, she’d shifted the gun from her right hand to her left, the side facing me.

“Why, Lydia, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Malcom’s low chuckle wove up and down my spine, carrying spikes of fear with it. Hands tucked behind his lower back, Malcom’s posture was loose and at ease. I had no idea if he had a weapon in those lethal hands or not. While I couldn’t remember the bullet he’d placed between Brian VanHorn’s eyes, I’d heard Nate and Nat discuss it enough to understand it had been one hell of a shot.

Dr. Schroder licked her lips while schooling the shock from her face. “Malcom, I didn’t expect you…yet.”

“It’s so difficult to pull off surprises amongst our group,” Malcom chuckled. “I’m flattered by the admission.”

Dr. Schroder’s eyes narrowed, and I could just make out her gaze flicking here and there before settling back on Malcom. She remained silent. I got the impression Dr. Schroder was recalculating the situation and attempting to come up with a solution that didn’t wind up with her six feet under.

The silence became unbearable. Twitching, I wondered if it was time for me to make my tumbling escape. When Dr. Schroder raised Nate’s gun, aiming it at me, I figured I’d waited a little too long. With practiced ease, she reached the small of her back and drew another gun, this one aimed at Malcom.

Malcom’s answer was a long, heavy sigh. Head hanging, his eyes remained raised and focused on Dr. Schroder. “Is that how you wish to play this, Lydia?”

“I believe playtime is over,” Dr. Schroder answered.

“Indeed, an accurate assessment.”

My heart pounded, and Nate’s fists clenched. My fiancé appeared murderous. I could also see my fear reflected in his eyes. Dr. Schroder’s attention was on Malcom, but I had no illusion that meant she couldn’t multitask and shoot me at the same time. I hated how steady Dr. Schroder’s arms were. There was no way I could hold the weight of the gun aloft that long and remain so steadfast.

“I assume Delia is nearby,” Dr. Schroder said calmly.

Malcom waved a dismissive hand. “She’s around. Somewhere.”

“I see.” Dr. Schroder’s answer was clipped. “How long have you known?”

“That you were working with William?” Malcom asked, and when Dr. Schroder gave the barest of nods, he answered, “Long enough, though I will admit, you fooled me at first. Not an easy task.”

Dr. Schroder’s grin was tight and thin. “Evidently, a nearly impossible task.”

“Regrettably, for you, that’s correct.” Malcom took a step closer, and Dr. Schroder’s hand tightened on her guns. I heard the click of the safety being taken off and sucked in a hissed breath. Nate took a giant step toward me but was halted when Malcom smacked a hand against his chest, stopping him mid-motion.

“You need to reconsider your actions, Lydia.” Malcom’s tone dropped at least five degrees, and I shivered with its iciness. “If you shoot Perry—”

“You’ll kill me.” Dr. Schroder’s tone was mocking. “Please, Malcom. I’m not a fool. I know the game. Mr. Atherton is my sole bargaining chip at the moment. You, of all people, know that a gunshot wound does not need to equal death. Not immediately. I can make Perry’s remaining time a study in misery, or I can make it quick. His future is up to you.”

Nate’s answering words made Malcom’s earlier ones seem like a visit to the tropics. “You harm him, and I will return that injury a thousandfold.”

“Strong words, Detective.” Dr. Schroder cocked her head to the side, her gaze oddly contemplative. “You know, I believe you might make good on that threat. I hadn’t thought you had it in you, but when it comes to love, I suppose all bets are off.”

“Malcom, you—”

“Easy, Detective. I assure you, Perry is perfectly safe,” Malcom reassured.

My eyes grew round and large with disbelief. I sure as hell didn’t feel safe.

Nate didn’t agree either. “You arrogant son of a—”

Dr. Schroder didn’t wait for the punchline and said, “Why am I still alive, Malcom?”

“Do you truly not know?” Malcom sounded amused.

Lips thinning even further, Dr. Schroder’s jaw clamped tight before she gritted out “You can’t seriously think you’ll succeed.”

“Oh, I believe I’m on the road to a very successful coup. Delia?”

If Malcom had emerged from the forest like a ghost, Delia slid into view like an avenging angel. She was armed, a gun pointed directly at Dr. Schroder. Without looking at me, she asked, “Did she harm you, Perry?”

I considered that question and answered, “Mostly my pride.”

The corner of Delia’s lips twitched. “I believe your pride will heal. Let’s make certain that’s the only aspect in need of repair.”

I couldn’t agree more and gave a faint nod. My head hurt, but it wasn’t migraine-level. I had no doubt that would come later, maybe tomorrow or the next day. As long as it waited until this shitstorm was over, I’d deal.

“Hello, Delia, dear,” Dr. Schroder greeted her oddly.

“Lydia.”

I’d noted that Malcom had stopped calling her Dr. Schroder and now Delia did as well. Maybe they didn’t believe she deserved the moniker of respect.

“I see you’ve picked your side,” Dr. Schroder said, still speaking to Delia. “This won’t go over well with the Company. Had you remained neutral, they would have been willing to overlook past misjudgments on your behalf. Given your history, it’s understandable that you’d be easily taken in by male kindness, you—”

Dr. Schroder screamed as the arm holding Nate’s gun jerked, her finger squeezing the trigger, but the shot thankfully went wide as the bullet Delia placed in Dr. Schroder’s arm did its job. Taking that as my cue, I threw my body back. Just like Gabe promised, the boards gave way, and I tumbled into the darkening evening. Scrubby brush grabbed my clothes and scratched angry marks against my skin. Twisting, I tried to prop myself up, but my aching arms gave way, and I twisted a little too far. Before I knew it, I was tumbling down, crashing through the underbrush as my legs twisted, my ankles still hopelessly bound by a plastic zip tie.