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TWENTY-SIX

WADE tore recklessly down the bu to the wife of the cop who’d been responsible for Harrington’s release, his heart pounding with fear and praying the entire way that he would get there in time That he wouldn’t be too late God, please don’t let hi would happen to her and he’d fallen neatly into Harrington’s trap

As he rounded the bend, he was blinded by oncoht to avoid a head-on collision The other vehicle veered to the left, losing control and spinning in a co to a stop, hitting a large tree that lined the road

Fuck! He didn’t have time for this shit!

He sla to check on the driver, hoping no serious injury had been incurred All he could do was call 911 because he couldn’t stick around when Eliza was in the hands of a madman and every minute counted Every second he was delayed could

He yanked open the driver’s side door and blinked in confusion A woh the windshield as if she had no awareness of the situation Even htgown and her feet were bare

"Ma’am, are you okay?" he asked sharply

Slowly she turned her head and an eerie sensation slithered over Wade’s skin, raising chill bumps as he stared into vacant, lifeless eyes

"I have to leave," she murmured "He told me to leave and not to return to o?"

Oh sweet Jesus In a flash, he knew this was the cop’s wife And that it was Harrington who had compelled her to leave She was the victiain Her for the victiot to Eliza in the one way she would never refuse He would have known all too well the guilt and grief that had crippled her He’d used her co she would never refuse to save the life of another woentle shake, desperate to break through the fog "Was anyone else there? A woman? Did he tell you to leave after she arrived?"

Confusion clouded her eyes and her brow puckered as if she were trying to recall what exactly had happened

"Think!" Wade said forcefully "I need you to focus Fight him I need your help She needs your help"

The wo in as she closed her eyes in concentration Then her expression cruht both hands to cover her face as a sound of utter despair seemed ripped from the deepest part of her soul