Page 128 of D for Dead

Cap laughed. ‘Ha, that’d be pretty cool. No, he just has a lot of investments in different things. Come check this out.’

Troy sucked in a breath as Cap unlocked a cabinet to reveal an arsenal of hunting rifles.

‘Wow. Your dad doesn’t do things by half measures.’

‘He has a big knife collection too. As I say, we used to spend a lot of time up here. Anyway, put your stuff down. I have something to show you.’

Troy dumped his bag, followed Cap back out to the car.

This place was amazing: the cabin, the huge lake, the acres of forest. Cap had said they had boats and plenty of fishing equipment, and he couldn’t wait to get out on the water.

‘Check this out.’

‘What is–’ Troy turned, stopping short as he stared at the girl trussed up in the trunk of the car, and took a step back, hands flying to his head. ‘Jesus, Cap, what the fuck have you done?’

‘Troy meet Melanie. Melanie meet Troy.’

‘Seriously, Cap. What the fuck is going on?’

Melanie stared up at them both, eyes wet as she struggled against the ropes holding her. She whimpered against the tape covering her mouth.

Troy stared at her, trying to comprehend that they had driven all the way up here from New York and she had been in the trunk of the car the whole time. Now it made sense why Cap had got him to dump his stuff on the back seat, saying there was no room in the trunk. He had lost his mind.

‘Let her go, Cap.’

‘I don’t think so. And I know you don’t want me to.’

‘Yes, I do. This is wrong. Let her go now before this goes too far and we get into trouble.’

‘We’re not going to get into trouble, Troy. We’re not going to get caught. She’s a hooker. No one will care she’s missing. And even if they do, they won’t ever find her.’

In the trunk, Melanie struggled violently and let out a strangled sob.

Looking peeved, Cap slammed the trunk shut. ‘Listen to me, Troy. You might pretend, but I know what you’re like. You’re the same as me. You want this; you just don’t realise it yet. I’m going to show you how easy it is to take what you want and not get caught.’

‘You’ve done this before?’

‘Once before, about six months ago. It was easy, it was an adrenaline rush and you’re going to enjoy it.’

‘Sick bastard. Give me the keys.’

‘No way. Look around you, Troy. It’s just us here and we have the whole weekend to do exactly what we want to her. Now help me get her inside.’ Cap popped the trunk open again and grinned down at Melanie. ‘Are you ready, sweetheart? We’ve got big plans for you.’

* * *

Troy thought back to that afternoon with Cap and Melanie. Things had changed then and would never be the same. Downing the full glass of Jack Daniel’s he had poured, he got up from the couch, stepped over to the shelf where the framed picture of Nadine and Amy stood. He had snapped it at one of Amy’s early book launches and both girls were smiling, happy. He had introduced Nadine to Amy’s books, encouraged her to read them and driven her to the book signings, wanting a connection to Amy but not realising how obsessed his girlfriend would become. And now it had led to this. Picking the frame up, he skimmed his thumb across both of their faces.

I’m sorry.

He didn’t hear footsteps but felt the presence behind him and, as he turned, looked at the familiar face. He glimpsed the flash of the blade; was only quick enough to grimace as it plunged into his side.

Searing pain soared through him and he cried out, dropping the frame and automatically putting his hands to the wound. Hot wet blood seeped through his fingers, dripping onto the broken shards of glass. As his legs went weak, he stumbled forward, catching hold of the arm of the couch, cold sweat beading on his forehead as he dropped to his knees.

A dark haze threatened to envelop him.

Fight it. You have to fight it.

But even as he thought the words, a surge of pain rushed through him, knocking him backwards. He felt his limbs go heavy, heard the thud as his head hit the floor; and then the grip of the hand on his collar, yanking him forward.