Craig fiddled with the knife for a moment before closing it.
“When did this happen?” Laura asked.
“About a week ago. We had just gotten back to California,” Craig said, staring at his knife.
She nodded. That was probably part of why he was so upset when he got back. He wasn't just dealing with business while away. He was dealing with Craig breaking into his house.
“And Ethan thought it was Janie that was doing all this?” she asked. She had to keep him talking. If she'd learned anything from cop TV shows, it was important to keep the bad guy talking.
“That's what Bruce convinced him,” Craig said the name like it was bitter in his mouth. “Stupid. She wouldn't know how to do any of it.” He turned and looked at her again. “That's why Ethan needs me.”
“I agree,” she assured him. “He needs you to keep him safe.”
“See? I knew you were good for him,” Craig told her with a smile. “You should have some more water.”
He picked up the water bottle and opened it again. He was so gentle and careful as he held it to her lips and let her drink that it was hard to believe he was the one who tied her up. She finished the last of the water.
“He should be here soon,” he told her. “I'll get you something to eat when this is done. There's a decent hamburger place just around the corner.”
“That sounds great,” Laura replied. “Thank you.”
He put his hand on her shoulder. “Don't worry, Laura. Once I show him how much he needs me, I'll keep you safe too.”
She did her best to smile even though she was shaking on the inside. “Of course.”
He patted her cheek and picked up the water bottle before walking off. The light was getting brighter, telling her it must be morning. She could now see the door that he was going out of. The door opened and closed and he was gone.
She stared after him, her entire body shaking.
“Please God,” she whispered. “Please don't have Ethan bring anyone with him...”
Chapter 38
Laura
Laura dozed off. There was no way for her to keep time in the quiet of the empty warehouse. She watched as the sunlight shifted against the floor, but her eyes were still heavy from the drugs Craig had given her.
When she woke, the sun was at a different angle and more yellow than gray. She was thirsty again, and now she had to pee as well. She wondered what had woken her up when she heard the metallic thud of the warehouse door.
She prayed it wasn't Craig. She wasn't ready to pretend to be the compliant captive. She still hadn't found a way to get out of the ropes tying her to the chair. All she had to show for her struggles were bruises.
She watched with baited breath as a man came through the door. She wasn't sure if she could handle another conversation with Craig. She pressed her ankles and wrists against the ropes that held her to the chair, but the didn't budge. It felt like all she was doing was bruising herself.
The man stepped into the light and Laura gasped.
It wasn't Craig. It was Ethan. Her heart soared and stuttered at the same time. He was here to save her. She was being rescued. But, what if he had brought someone with him? What if he didn't do as Craig had asked?
Ethan glanced around the room before running across it to her chair.
“Are you okay?” he asked, checking the ropes. They didn't budge.
“I am now,” she told him, her voice shaking with relief. She wished she could just collapse in Ethan's arms and have this whole nightmare be over.
“I'll get you out,” Ethan promised, cupping her face in his hands. She looked into his green eyes, and she believed him. She nodded and did her best to smile.
“I'm glad you made it, Ethan.”
Craig stepped out from the shadows. Laura didn't know how long he'd been there and it made her uncomfortable. She didn't like thinking of him watching her.