s [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

158
Behind The Game
and walked toward the house. She tripped over the
evidence of the elaborate wedding she missed. Her
high-heel ripped through the remains of an aisle
runner and on instinct she looked down at the
ground. There, she found two flower girl baskets. The
satin and sheer ribbons knotted together and bound
the two even as they whirled with a gust of wind.
She bent over and gathered the evidence left
behind by her daughters.  Oh my God. She choked
back the familiar agonizing feeling. As soon as she
saw the evidence of a shoot-out, she rushed inside
and the agent emerged. Taking just a high step here
or there to step through bay windows or cross over
broken panels where large glass patio doors once
existed, Ally searched for clues.
She planned to collect any and all evidence, only
she wasn t there acting as an agent. She was there as
a mother, sister, daughter, and lover. She needed to
find her family. In order to do it, she d have to follow
their trail from there.
 Steve, you re sure the girls weren t harmed?
 I can t offer you a guarantee, Ally, but it looks
like they were prepared to move on a moment s
notice. We know how they escaped. I can show you.
She nodded her head while continuing to search
through the rubble, looking for anything Tanner might
have left behind, something to indicate where they d
move next or an added assurance the girls were safe,
he was safe, her family made it out without battle
wounds or fatalities. The whole place wrecked, she d
have to rummage through a lot of debris before she d
ever begin to pick up the pieces of a past her family
hurriedly left behind.
Steve walked around, mesmerized by the palatial
surroundings.  It looks like Dorsey believed in taking
things to the extreme. He pulled a few weapons
from a shattered gun case. He examined a couple of
Luger pistols and a European Nitro Express Double
Rifle.  I bet he hated leaving these.
159
Destiny Blaine
She pursed her lips and turned her head. She
didn t want Steve to read her expression. Yes, Tanner
liked the things money bought him power and
everything that went along with it and he always
pushed for more. Her brothers were no better and
her mother was an apparent accomplice. Ally realized
her daughters were free to enjoy the pampering
indulgences dirty money provided as well as endure
the ever-present dangers.
 I d like to see that tunnel now.
Steve s lips curled in a knowing smile.  I didn t
tell you it was a tunnel, Ally. I just said we know how
they escaped.
Her gaze held his on a dare.  I m not stupid. I
asked questions. I know there s a passage leading to a
clearing. She resisted the urge to tell him there
were two of them, in fact. Tanner once told her one
tunnel ran the length of the property, perfect for
hiding but hardly safe when bombarded by a posse.
There was one way in and one way out, whereas the
tunnel they apparently used led to choppers always
fueled and ready to go. Waiting for the moment when
life, as they all enjoyed it, came to an abrupt end.
 It s over here. Steve pulled out two flashlights
from a duffel bag he d toted off the helicopter. He
tossed one her way.
He worked to pry loose a mantel and then nudged
the plastic hearth. It instantly gave way, leading to a
hidden dark space. Steve stepped aside.  I think it s a
couple of miles, straight shot. I can go first or you
can.
Ally pushed by him.  Try and keep up. We ve got
a lot of ground to cover before nightfall. Her
flashlight in front of her, Ally stepped to the lead and
kept a fast pace, never paying too much attention to
the cobwebs on the wall or the occasional squeak of a
distant critter.
Ally s heart raced and she pressed forward. She
thought of Molly and Holly, how her little girls
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Behind The Game
must ve been so frightened as they were carried
through the black room.
She wanted to ring Tanner s neck for taking them
from her in the first place. She needed to shake David
and Darren until her brothers realized what they d
done, what they placed at risk when they chose a life
of crime.
 Ally, don t do this right now. Steve stayed on
her heels.  I feel you shutting down on me. You can t
let your emotions get the best of you right now. If [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]