Page 7 of Shadowed Witness (The Secrets of Kincaid #2)

An hour later, Jayden and his mom were pulling away, leaving Allye to pack up her equipment.

Before she put her camera away, she leaned against the back of her car and scanned through a few of the photos.

They’d gotten some really good shots, including some near the lake.

And neither Jayden nor his mom had seemed to notice her slight shakiness or the few times she’d stumbled. Both were wins in Allye’s book.

As she viewed some of the trail photos, a particularly pretty bush caught her eye. That would make a lovely postcard print for her table at the upcoming Wool Fest. The local festival showcasing much more than textiles was one of the highlights of her year.

She studied the photo. Could she find that bush again? She navigated back and forth through a few shots. Based on the surrounding photos, it shouldn’t be too far from the beginning of Spicebush Trail. But did she have the energy to go back out there today?

She chewed on the side of her lip. It would be pushing it, but better to do it now while she was already out here than make a special trip later—if she even remembered to.

With a sigh, she pulled a fresh memory card from her bag and swapped it for the one containing Jayden’s photos.

She placed the nearly full card into the small plastic casing and dropped it into her purse.

After stashing most of her equipment in the trunk, she set out with just her camera and purse slung over her shoulder.

Her thoughts returned to her conversation with Hailey as she neared the trailhead.

She hadn’t told her everything, but she still cringed at having been so transparent.

Still ... it had felt good to tell someone.

And if she had to choose someone to confide in, her cousin was a good option.

She wouldn’t rat her out to her mom, and unlike Allye’s best friend, Hailey wasn’t expecting a baby.

Married to Allye’s brother early this past spring, Corina was now expecting her first child while still running her own business.

Allye didn’t want to add to her stress levels.

Of course, Hailey had her own stress with the unique challenges of an almost-one-year-old with hearing loss and a husband in local politics. ...

Allye’s shoulders slumped. She probably shouldn’t have burdened her either. Couldn’t be helped now though. She entered the shade of the trail and began looking for the bush or another that would do.

A bit farther in than she’d hoped, she found a good candidate for her still shot.

She adjusted her settings to account for the difference in subject and lighting.

She took a few photos, made more adjustments, then snapped a few more.

That would probably be enough. But as long as she was here, she might as well grab plenty to be safe.

Careful not to disturb anything, she stepped off the trail and rounded the bush to see what it was like from the back. Nice. She lowered herself to a crouch and began to work that angle. As she was focusing for her third shot, a young, angry voice broke the silence.

“I didn’t sign up to kill people!”

“These aren’t tainted. You know that problem’s been taken care of.” The firm response sent Allye’s heart into her throat. She recognized that voice. The attacker from last night.

“I don’t care. I want out.”

“Not an option.”

“But—”

The sound of a hand cracking across someone’s face rang through the air. “You’ll do what you’re told, or you and the kid will pay the same way Marco did. Got it?” A pause, then, “Good. Now, the money.”

The voices quieted, but shuffling from around the nearby bend let Allye know they hadn’t left. Her legs trembled beneath her, but she was afraid to rise. If he caught her out here alone...

Her purse began to slip from her shoulder. She tried to grab for it but only succeeded in knocking it further askew. The shift in weight pulled her off-balance. Both she and her oversized bag toppled to the ground. Twigs and leaves crunched, and the contents of her bag spilled out. She froze.

Footsteps sounded on the trail. Through a small break in the brush, she could see two sets of feet round the bend.

Moderately worn tennis shoes, like a teen boy might own, and a pair of sturdy work boots.

She held her breath. The brush was fairly thick here, but if they started looking off-trail, they’d spot her sunshine-yellow blouse in a heartbeat.

“Probably just an animal.” The young voice again. The tennis-shoed feet shifted with the words.

Her attacker grunted. “Here.”

Something dropped to the ground, and the other guy stooped to grab it. Allye caught a glimpse of an arm and hand, but not his face.

“Next meeting in two weeks. Location six.”

“Who’s my contact now?”

“Me. Until I tell you otherwise. Now get.”

Without another word, the younger guy pounded up the trail toward where Allye had entered. Her attacker didn’t move.

Allye was starting to feel lightheaded. She was going to have to breathe. Or faint. God, please don’t let me faint. Or make noise. Make him leave. Desperate, she released her breath as quietly as she could. Drew in a shallow replacement. Wasn’t going to be enough for long. God—

The booted feet of her attacker turned and disappeared back around the bend. Allye waited but allowed herself regular shallow breaths.

“What?”

Allye nearly jumped out of her skin at the barked word. He was still nearby. And close.

“You caused that problem. I had it under control.” A pause—he must be on a phone call.

“I’m not going to lie low because you messed up.

... No, you fix it, or I will.... I don’t care how.

If I go down, you’re coming with me, and your cops will turn on you quicker than.

..” Leaves crunched, and his words faded until he was completely out of earshot.

Was he actually gone this time? Or testing whether anyone was around?

She’d wait a bit longer, despite the spasms starting in her fingers and the sensation of losing circulation in the leg she’d fallen on. Willing herself to ignore the pain, she silently repeated what she’d overheard. The police would want a report.

If they believed her. She wished she had been able to take a picture. Staying hidden had been more important, but, oh, it would be nice to have something more than her word as proof.

When silence continued for several minutes and no boots reappeared in her line of sight, she eased herself to a more comfortable position and began scooping things back into her purse.

Her calf burned and tingled as blood began to circulate freely again.

Massaging it gently, she strained her ears for any hint of danger.

She needed to get out of here, but no use forcing herself up before she could hold her weight.

Once full feeling had returned, she slowly rose, eyeing the direction the boots had disappeared. The opposite direction—where the younger guy had gone—was closer to her car. And given the choice, she’d rather meet him than the man who had attacked her.

She hurried back up the trail and to her Jetta, constantly looking around her and over her shoulder. Safely inside her car, she threw the locks and shoved her key into the ignition. Then and only then did she allow herself to slump against the seat back and catch her breath.

Need to call Eric. She grabbed her phone and managed to enter her PIN. She was shaking again. Badly. And there was no signal out here. She’d have to drive until she got a few bars.

She looked around once more as she started the car. This end of the park appeared deserted. And it creeped her out. If she’d been spotted out on the trail, there would have been no one around to help her.

But they hadn’t seen her. And she needed to get out of here before that changed. With that thought in mind, she sped back toward town.