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The ground beneath her vibrated. She opened her eyes. She’d passed out. Where was she now? She tried to move her hands, but they wouldn’t move. They’d been restrained behind her back. After a few seconds, she became aware of a second body lying near her own.

Gram. The other woman moved restlessly. She was alive. Some of Jenna’s anxiety bled out.

How long did they have left?

And why were they still alive? Whoever abducted them must need them for something before he could kill them and claim her inheritance. Could it really be Andy? She would give up all claims to it if she could guarantee Gram’s survival. And hers.

Another thought crept in. Had they killed Brody? He’d been right next door but apparently hadn’t known they were in danger.

Or had he?

Every question that sprang to her mind had no answers.

She lay on something slightly damp. It smelled of chlorine. Pool towels? Were they in a laundry cart? It seemed hard to believe, but at the same time, it made sense. How would men carry two unconscious women from a hotel?

There was a bump, then a second one. They’d passed over a threshold transition strip. But transition to where? Light filtered in through the top, lending credence to the idea they were in a laundry cart. If they’d been in a truck, it would have remained pitch dark until the trunk opened.

She moved her hands, trying to loosen the binding. They touched her back pocket.

She still had the phone Brody had given her.

It would be foolish to give it away now. Maybe if she left it where it was Brody and Sergent Dawson could track it. She had called him yesterday, after all.

She didn’t know enough about technology to know how that worked.

A cold breeze entered the small compartment. The cart bumped twice again.

They were outside. The fear she’d held back threatened to take over. Without her hearing aids, Jenna was utterly lost. She had no idea where they were headed. Or if they’d live to see the sunrise.

She wanted so badly to say something to Gram, to let her know she was all right. But she’d not hear a response in return.

And she didn’t want to draw unnecessary attention to the fact that she was now conscious and coherent.

The container carrying both of them lifted. Jenna’s stomach dropped like she’d suddenly gone down a steep incline on a roller coaster. Seconds later, the cart settled on a hard surface. There was a shudder, then the floor vibrated again.

She felt movement.

They were in a vehicle. Probably a van.

She lost track of passing time. Sometimes the motion of a car put her to sleep. The adrenaline storming her system kept her alert now.

When the vehicle came to rest again, she found her heart thumping in her chest. She knew she’d reached the moment of truth. Would she finally see Andy face to face before he killed her?

The cart went airborne. When it settled again, her captors removed the top covering, blinding her with a sudden onslaught of bright light.

She squeezed her eyes closed against it. A moment later she was raised roughly and dropped on a cushion, like a couch. She opened her eyes in time to see her Gram land beside her. The older woman looked mussed and frazzled. And decidedly angry.

A pair of legs appeared before them.

Jenna glanced up into a familiar face.

Shock held her silent for five seconds before she regained her speech. “Matt! What⁠—”

Matt Anderson smiled coldly at her, all signs of warmth and care absent.

It had been a facade. Matt, her father’s trusted friend, had murdered him and her mom, and now planned on finishing the rest of the family.

CHAPTER 12