Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

Tex stepped closer to the office door.

He should go inside now while he had the opportunity. Though he might not find anything, maybe he would. Maybe this didn’t all go back to doping those athletes after all. Maybe Gilbert was up to something else.

But just as his hand gripped the office door, movement out the side window caught his eye.

A car went by on the street.

He’d recognize that pale-yellow Volkswagen Bug anywhere.

Chelsea.

Where would she be going at this hour? And why hadn’t she told him she was leaving?

Unless something was wrong.

That had to be it.

Tex abandoned the office and grabbed his keys from his pocket. He hurried outside to his truck. If he left now, he could follow her.

Was he overstepping by doing this? Maybe.

But he couldn’t help but think Chelsea was in trouble.

He eased onto the road, keeping his headlights off so he wouldn’t attract any attention.

Then he turned after her, only flipping his lights on once he merged onto the highway cutting through town.

It took several minutes, but he finally spotted Chelsea’s Volkswagen Bug ahead. He kept a safe distance behind her so she wouldn’t know she was being followed and freak out.

He glanced over as he drove and saw a Christmas star shining brightly from the top of the nearby mountains. It was the Mill Mountain Star, lit year-round and an icon in the area. Seeing it brought him a rush of memories.

Several minutes later, Chelsea turned off the road. Tex followed her as she wound through a neighborhood and stopped near a park.

He pulled to the curb the next block over so he wouldn’t be spotted.

Then he watched as Chelsea parked, climbed out, and glanced around as if skittish.

What was going on? Why was she here right now?

A moment later, she took off in a fast walk down the sidewalk.

Tex waited until she rounded the corner, then he climbed out also. He needed to catch up with her, just in case something was wrong.

Before he reached the corner, he paused and ducked into the nearby woods, careful with each step and motion.

He didn’t want Chelsea or anyone else to know he was here. Not yet.

He peered from behind a tree. From his position, he could see Chelsea standing on the sidewalk, her arms crossed over her chest as if she tried to stay warm.

She appeared to be waiting for someone. But who? And why at this hour? In this location?

A moment later, a figure strode toward her.

Tex tensed. Who was that?

He waited, not wanting to act too soon.

A man appeared. He wore all black and had a baseball cap pulled low over his head.

Chelsea didn’t touch him. Didn’t offer a hug.

Instead, she handed him something in an envelope.

Whatever it was, the man slipped it into his back pocket.

The two of them talked several minutes before pausing. The man touched her arm before turning and jogging away.

What had that been about? Tex wondered.

If the meeting was on the up-and-up, then why was Chelsea meeting this man so late at night? And in such a secluded location?

Tex didn’t know. But unease jostled inside him at the possibilities racing through his mind . . . none of which were good.

Chelsea heard a stick crack from inside the woods.

Goosebumps popped across her skin. Was someone watching her?

She glanced around, searching for any signs of trouble.

But it was too dark to see anything.

Maybe it had been a bad idea to come out here. Especially after that break-in. She was so isolated here.

What if she was in danger?

She quickened her steps as she headed back to her car. She didn’t want to break into a run, but she would if she had to. Once she was there, she’d feel better. But right now, she only felt exposed.

Then she heard another stick crack, followed by rustling noises.

Suddenly, she knew with certainty that coming out here hadn’t been a good idea.

Her fear wasn’t just paranoia.

Someone was out there. Someone who was watching her.

Oh, God . . . help me!

She burst into a run. She couldn’t get to her vehicle fast enough.

Get your keys out, she told herself. She couldn’t waste any time once she reached her car.

She jerked them from the purse at her shoulder as she ran.

But her hands trembled so badly that she dropped them.

What? This was what people did on TV shows when they were being careless. Why was she dropping her keys now?

As she reached to pick them up, footsteps sounded behind her.

She looked up just as a man in black appeared. He came at her so fast she had no time to react.

He slammed into her. Threw her back against her Volkswagen. Pressed his arm against her throat.

The ski mask he wore over his face concealed his identity.

“You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into,” he growled.

Fear shot through her as the air was cut off from her lungs.

She couldn’t breathe. Panic filled her.

Was this man going to kill her?

“Hey!” a deep voice yelled in the distance.

Her attacker froze. Looked over. His eyes widened.

The next instant, he darted in the opposite direction of the other man.

Chelsea nearly sank onto the asphalt, her knees no longer able to hold her up.

Then she saw another figure running toward her.

Her heart rate climbed again.

Wait . . . was that . . . Tex?

Had he just come from the woods? What . . . ? How . . . ?

He paused and leaned down in front of her, touching her face as his concerned gaze assessed her. “Chelsea—are you okay?”

Chelsea nodded. At least, she thought she nodded. “Yes . . . I’m—I’m fine.”

“You sure?” His gaze pinned her down, forcing her to tell the truth.

“I’ll . . . I’ll be fine. I’m just shaken right now.”

His eyes darkened. “Get in the car and lock your doors.”

He helped her stand and slip inside. Waited until he heard the lock click.

Then he was gone. Chasing the person who’d just attacked her.

Her head spun.

What was going on in this town? And how had she ended up in the middle of it?