Shotgun Justice by Angi Morgan Page A

admitted he had you, asked where Garrison is hiding. Said he’d kill you if I didn’t spill the beans.”
    â€œWell, you can’t tell what you don’t know.”
    Just a flash but she knew he had that answer. The quick narrowing of his eyes and a slight arch of his eyebrow... That was his tell. She’d learned it years ago when he tried to cover for her twin brother.
    So he knew where Garrison was staying, but he wasn’t letting anyone else know that he knew. Probably a wise decision. If Snake Eyes was watching them, it made sense that he had a listening device somewhere close, too.
    â€œHe hasn’t made contact since we’ve been here. I’m drawing the conclusion that he wants us to stay, since he shocks you each time you try to leave.”
    Jesse leaned on the end of the picnic bench, stretching his arms over his head. Avery wanted to reach across and rub his shoulders. Lord knew, she’d done it often throughout college. But not now.
    Touching him that night... It was what had started the greatest embarrassment of her life. She laced her fingers together, holding tighter, pulling her legs closer. She was still a little chilled and very unwilling to let her companion know it. She could manage.
    â€œI’m at a loss here, Avery.” He shook his head. The early sunlight reflected off the natural highlights in his hair. “I honestly don’t know what to do except sit tight. I’ve combed through this parking lot for a sliver of metal to pick the lock on that collar. I’ve got a pair of bloody kneecaps but nothing else.”
    â€œI could try now that it’s daylight.”
    â€œToo risky if he’s watching.”
    â€œWe just wait? For what?” Fear was pushing its way to the forefront of her emotions. It was hard to control it. “I’m attempting to walk this through from the killer’s point of view. We know his purpose is to secure information. How does he plan on doing that? Telepathy?”
    Right on cue a phone rang. Faint. Covered by something. They both jumped to follow the sound, searching the brush and tall grass. Not too hard to find when you knew where to look. They found the plastic bag pushed deep in the hollowed part of a tree.
    Jesse held it, paused. She had the same thought... What if there were prints inside? What if there was trace evidence? She shrugged, gestured for him to answer. He flipped the phone open and pushed the speaker button.
    â€œYeah?”
    â€œI’ll skip the pleasantries,” a voice disguised by a mechanical device said swiftly. “It’s been a long night and I’m ready to move on. Are you ready to give me the location?”
    â€œI swear that I—” The collar beeped. “Wait. I can’t provide you an address I don’t have.”
    â€œYou have half an hour before the next phase of our game begins.”
    The screen went blank.
    â€œIs it locked? Make sure you can’t dial out. Don’t shush me. I know he’s probably listening. Just try it.” She pointed, wanting to take it into her hands, realizing at that moment just how tingly her hands felt. As if they’d been asleep for a while.
    Jesse punched in numbers on the old basic phone. Nothing happened. He flipped it over and tried to remove the back to gain access to the battery. They could see the glue around the edges. Glue around the on and off button.
    The screen was locked, just as she’d feared. He stuffed the cheap phone back into the bag, not trying further. He spread his arms wide, ready for her to be comforted, then wrapped her in his hug.
    â€œWhat the he—”
    His hand clamped over her mouth even as his eyes scanned the horizon like a machine. He held her tight, chest to chest, his lips brushing her ear as his hot breath lifted the tendrils of hair falling free from her ponytail, tickling the sensitive skin.
    â€œJust listen for a second,” he barely whispered.