Page 114 of Seven Deadly Sins

“Where are you taking me? What are you going to do to me?”

“All in good time.” He zipped the suitcase closed. “All in good time.” He planned on her attending every meeting. Those watching the live feed would hear his message. Many would convert. He could now continue his rise to power.

~

That wasn’t the same place. Harper stared at painted walls instead of concrete block. Stephanie’s ankle was now tied to a bed instead of a ring in the wall. The room looked like almost any bedroom in America. Definitely a step up from the basement.

The woman stared straight at the camera and blinked. “Liam, I think she’s doing Morse code.”

He peered over her shoulder. “It’s been a while but get a pencil. First word is dirt. Second is road, and third is country.”

“Okay, she’s telling us they’re on a dirt road in the country. Do you know how many of dirt roads are in this county alone?” They needed a lot more information.

“Patience. She’s heard five different men’s voices outside of the man and woman who took her. She’s heard chickens and cows.”

Again, a lot of places. “We could send a chopper up. Get addresses of all the farms in the area.” At least, the ones they knew of. “Recent purchases of land. It’s something.”

Stephanie fell over on the bed and closed her eyes. The door opened and a man Harper didn’t know entered the room. He set a plate with a glass of water and a sandwich on the nightstand, cut a quick glance at the camera, then left. All without saying a word.

A faint glimmer of hope rose in Harper. Lucy had abducted a very smart woman. Unless Robert and Lucy stayed as glued to the live feed as a lot of people in the world, they wouldn’t have seen her signaling. Please God, don’t let them find out. Stephanie could be the very one who brings them down.

“Gutsy woman.” Liam perched on the corner of Harper’s desk. “We can safely assume that Robert has moved from his prior location.”

“Yes. I wish he’d send a text.” No word from him made her nervous.

“He’s got something up his sleeve. We have to wait and see what it is, as hard as that will be.” He twisted a strand of her hair around his finger. “I’ve…got to go.”

“Okay. I’ll see you later.”

“No, I’m being called back to the office. There’s a case they need me for.”

“We need you here!” She pulled back.

“It’s only for a consultation. A day or two at the most. I have to leave now. They’re going to send someone to take my place during that time. I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can do.”

“If Robert finds out we aren’t together, he’ll blow.”

“I’ll be as quick as I can.” He placed a tender kiss on her cheek. “Stay safe, sweetheart.”

She gripped his hand. “You, too.” She felt too vulnerable when he wasn’t at her side.

What if Robert grew angry enough to focus on the seventh sin? He’d told them to stay together. If the man did explode, neither of them would have the other for backup.

Robert might kill Liam and not Harper, leaving her to suffer his death the rest of her life. Her mind whirled with horrible what-ifs.”

“I’ll be okay. Nothing will keep me from coming back.” Another kiss to the top of her head, and he marched from the room.

A tall, thin woman with auburn hair entered. “I’m Agent Susan Warren. I’m here to help you until Agent McConnell returns.” She thrust out her hand. “Fill me in.”

Harper stifled a sigh. It would take the rest of the day to fill her in. “Welcome to Oakdale, Agent.”

~

Liam sat in the backseat of a black SUV. He didn’t want to be heading to the office. He needed to be with Harper. Not being able to get out of consultation, he’d have to do his best to wrap things up quickly.

With the time it was taking to bring Robert down, his boss had said they would need to pull him from the field on occasion. He grunted and stared out the window.

When he arrived at the office, he went straight to the case board. No wonder he’d been pulled. They didn’t have enough manpower to stop a serial killer targeting women joggers. Five so far, all their bodies dumped in whatever body of water was closest.