Page 112 of Is Anyone Listening?
"I cared enough not to kill you," he pointed out in a cold, pragmatic voice.
"Because I was useful."
"And because you weren't my target; Jessica was. But sadly, you'll have to die now, too. I can't afford to leave any loose ends. You really are too nosy for your own good, Cassidy."
I couldn't believe someone was once again threatening my life, and now I had to save not only myself but Jessica, too.
I heard another snap of a branch, followed by Finn's voice as he came from the trees behind Tyler. "Drop it," he ordered, his gun fixed on Tyler.
Tyler didn't bother to turn around or lower his weapon. "You can't kill me before I kill them, and you've already lost the element of surprise."
"You might get a shot off, but I can kill you after," Finn said. "Either way, you're dead."
"So are they. You won't risk their lives. You have a conscience; I don't."
"You don't know anything about my conscience," Finn retorted.
I saw the gleam in Tyler's eyes. He wasn't going to listen. He was going to kill us.
Before he could squeeze the trigger, a shot shattered the air.
Tyler's body jerked, his gun falling from his hand as he crumpled to the ground.
I gasped in shock. Finn's gun was still raised, unfired.
And then I heard someone come through the trees to our left. Tom Holloway stepped into the clearing, weapon in hand, satisfaction on his face. He was followed closely by my grandmother.
I couldn't believe they were here, but I was thrilled they'd come.
As Tom walked forward to check on Tyler, Ellen moved toward Jessica and me, stopping a few feet away, her gaze raking my face, then Jessica's.
"Are either of you hurt?" she asked.
"We're okay," I said. "You all got here just in time." I still couldn't quite believe Tom Holloway had saved my life when his brother had tried to take it only a few hours ago.
Finn put his gun back in his waistband as he came forward. "Nice shot, Tom."
"Thanks for the assist," Tom said. "Your distraction allowed me to get into position."
"You two worked together?" I asked in surprise.
"I ran into Tom and Ellen in the woods," Finn said. "We wanted to make sure one of us had a good shot."
"Thankfully, I got the pleasure," Tom said.
"How did you get here so fast?" I asked my grandmother.
"Finn isn't the only one who knows how to find a helicopter ride,” Ellen said. "As soon as you left, I knew I had to follow. I started all this, and I had to finish it."
"So did I," Tom said heavily, his gaze seeking mine. "I'm sorry about what my brother did to you, Cassidy."
"Then you believe me?"
"I wish I didn't," he said heavily. "But I do. I had no idea Jeff was capable of…" He shook his head, his jaw tight. "I had no idea," he repeated. Clearing his throat, he added, "The local police are on their way. I'm going to go back to the cabin and meet them, bring them down here."
As Tom left, Finn stood guard over Tyler's motionless body.
"Jessica sprained her ankle," I told my grandmother. "Can you support her for a moment?"
