Return to Autumn House - A Halloween Serial - Chapter Eight - Jill Kemerer

by Jill Kemerer

CHAPTER EIGHT

          As Cris loaded his gun, Hallie fought the panic choking her. He was going to kill them! Thunder boomed, followed by a jagged bolt of lightning. She instinctively grabbed Kane’s arm. He’d hidden his cell phone between them and was typing something.

          Thank You, Lord! Kane had always been smart—a step ahead of everyone—including Crispin. She’d better distract Cris before he could see what Kane was doing.

          “Remember how your senior prank got you suspended from high school, Cris? This will land you in prison. Did you put two seconds of thought into kidnapping us?” She infused as much steel into her voice as she could muster. “If you kill us out here, it will take all of three seconds for the cops to figure out you murdered us.”

          “Nice try, cousin.” Cris waved the gun and glared at her. “But you’re forgetting. I am a cop.”

          “You won’t be able to cover this up. Investigators aren’t stupid. And for crying out loud, stop calling me cousin.” She wasn’t getting out of the car, and she wasn’t going to die. Not tonight. Not like this. She wasn’t the same wimpy Hallie who had caved to her parents’ every demand. “You never considered me family before.”

          “But we are family according to dear old Granddad.” His teeth gleamed, menacing in the dim light.      

          “Are you in the will? Is that it? If you get rid of me, you’ll get your hands on the money?”

          Lightning ripped again, and Cris rubbed his chin, the gun still raised in his other hand.

          Kane leaned close and whispered, “Trust me.”

          Trust the man who had given her the most amazing kiss of her life only to walk away? The one who’d fallen for Ivy’s charms?

          Not this time, buddy.

          Was she being fair? Kane never cheated on Hallie. He’d dumped her to date Ivy, yes, but they only lasted a few weeks, and now Ivy was married to some hockey player.

          Hallie closed her eyes a moment. Kane wasn’t Superman. But if she could channel her inner Lois Lane and figure this mystery out, maybe she’d give Clark Kent another chance. Find out if his kiss still held superpowers for her.

          “Hallie’s right, Apple.” Kane sounded weak, like he was going to pass out. She searched his face, but he didn’t look pale. The blood smeared across his cheek reminded her he needed to see the doctor. He groaned and held his head in his hands. “Take us back to Autumn House, and I’ll tell you where it is. I know how to draw up the documents so you won’t be implicated. We’ll work out a deal.”

          Cris glanced back over his shoulder. His creepy grin and dead eyes sent a shiver over Hallie’s skin. That was one apple who had fallen far from the family tree.

          “I knew you weren’t as spotless as you want everyone to think. After all, you are a lawyer.” Cris started the cruiser, backed up and made a U-turn on the road. “If you even think about double-crossing me, I’ll shoot her in the head and dump her body over the cliff before you can say trick or treat.”

          Hallie gasped. Ruthless. Was money the reason Cris wanted her dead or was there more to it?

          Kane drew Hallie to him, and she leaned against his chest. She could feel his heartbeat thumping under his wet cotton shirt. He kissed the top of her head. He whispered, “Don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

          Maybe she was wrong. Maybe Clark Kent really was Superman.

          Or both of these men could be after something she didn’t understand. What was it about Autumn House that had brought the three of them together?

          “What is at Autumn House?” She straightened, tired of being the only one without the facts. “What are you two hiding?”

          “It’s not like that…” Kane touched her arm.

          Cris tightened his grip on the wheel and floored it. The tires skidded on the wet pavement but stayed on the road. A few more miles and they’d be back at the house. “Hallie brings up an interesting point, Kane. What are you hiding?”

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Stop in tomorrow for chapter nine!