Page 77 (2/2)

“You okay?” Callum held the station door for her as they walked to the rental

She nodded “Just shocked and disappointed”

She did seeht have even considered a friend or mentor had betrayed her in the worst possible way

Today, they weren’t in disguise, so extra precautions were in order The e those precautions He took care in looking around for potential threats

No parked vehicles with anyone sitting inside

No strangers walking dogs or sitting on benches—there were no benches

Walkers didn’t look their way Drivers didn’t either

He escorted Hazel to the passenger side and then stepped up behind the wheel He drove back toward the Dales Inn and thought again—as he had often since they talked—about whether or not he was ready for a serious relationship and even a family With Hazel he would have one ready-made

The more he considered that, the et past the fear of losing the a faed to, he would spare hiuish

Just before they reached the inn, Calluer than the person in the gray SUV had been This was not Carolyn This was Nate’s killer He had waited there for the seen them leave the inn and wisely not followed them as he had before

Callum sped up, but the killer shot out one of Calluht front tire caught on a pothole in the road Callum could not correct the truck’s path and they careened head-on into a tree Mo, he shoved the now deflating bag out of the way and saw Hazel doing the same

“Are you all right?” He searched around for the killer and found hih the driver’s side

He esture

Callued