Page 88 of Still Afraid

Unfortunately, Richard knew how to tie a decent knot. The ropes were getting a little looser, but not sufficiently—at least not enough for her to reach her knife.

A gust of wind rattled the roof way above their heads. The only things separating them from the roof were the rafters as no drop ceiling covered the stock room in this store.

A few minutes later, rain hammered the roof. A storm was building outside.

Chloe shoved away the anxiety clawing at her. She couldn’t afford to give credence to her fears. She had to trust God and, with His help, hold herself together.

Strengthen me, steady me, and give me clarity of mind. And above all, do a mighty work to save us from this.

Richard exited his office with the gun in his hand, and Chloe froze.

“I’ve made my decision.” Richard strode over to Aaron and lifted his chin with the barrel of the pistol. “I’m going to drag this out. The only thing I haven’t decided is at what point I kill your sister.” He pointed the weapon at Chloe.

“Don’t.” Aaron lunged toward Richard but was quickly held back by the rope.

Richard laughed. “Cute. But she is without doubt going to die. She’s seen my face and knows too much. I could let you live, and I’d have complete power over you. You’d continue to be one of my little workers, and you’d stay in line knowing you have plenty more siblings for me to kill if you don’t.”

How was this the man who owned the quaint little wedding chapel in the mountains? He was evil.

She had to get out of here and get Aaron out too. She didn’t care what he’d done; he was her brother, and she loved him.

Richard opened a cabinet, removed several items, and set them on a nearby table. Among the items was a personal stun gun. He also lined up several knives of different sizes. Finally, he placed a heavy chain that clanged as it coiled on the table.

Chloe squirmed in her seat and fought the ropes.

“You are a plucky one. Too bad it won’t work to your advantage today.” He rubbed his jaw. “Now, where shall we start? Aaron, which tool should I use first on your sister?” Richard held up the smallest knife. “This one?” He set it down and picked up the chain, swinging it back and forth in front of himself. “Or this one.”

“Don’t touch her!” Aaron jerked against the ropes.

Richard walked toward Aaron and swung the chain, then slapped it against Aaron’s thigh.

Aaron cried out in pain.

Richard stared at Aaron until he looked up. “Now you know exactly how that one feels.” Richard swung the chain again, but this time in Chloe’s direction.

It slammed against her leg just above her knee. Pain radiated through her leg in all directions. Some sort of sound emanated from her, but the pain was too intense to have any control over her reaction.

He moved to her other side and struck her again. He laughed and walked back to his table.

She tried to pull her leg up enough to rub it, knowing that would reduce the pain sensations. But she couldn’t reach it.

Richard dropped the chain on the table and picked up the stun gun.

Chloe’s entire body trembled.

Again, Richard went to Aaron first and pressed the stun gun into his chest. His body convulsed.

“Stop it!” Chloe wished she could talk him to distraction, but that wasn’t her skill set. Instead of finding words, her lungs decided to seize up. Jesus, please help us!

She couldn’t breathe.

Richard strode toward her. His menacing eyes danced with glee from the torture he was administering. He leaned over her and ran the side of the stun gun up and down her arm, then across her collarbone.

He jabbed it into her chest and pressed the button.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Josh walked through his front door with Poirot. Lance had come back to the house with him, ready to help in any way possible. Gabe had sent them home with a promise to keep them updated. Josh knew he wasn’t any help to the police right now. The best he could do was pray, and he could do that at home as well as he could underfoot at the police station.