Page 53 of Shadow of Death
“Now see? We did fall,” Hunter teased.
“There is so much to be said for beds,” Amy replied.
Laughter turned into passionate kisses. She’d been so, so tired.
And yet for the moment, feeling his lips, the tip of his tongue, the caress of his fingers moving over her flesh...
She was blissfully awake and aware; they both grew more and more urgent, teasing, caressing, coming together at last...
And bursting into that moment of sheer sensation before lying cradled in one another’s arms, curling together, something that made the act of making love even more beautiful.
He whispered, “I love you.”
She smiled, and went intoStar Warsmode, saying, “I know.”
He laughed, and she whispered she loved him, too.
In minutes, she closed her eyes and slept. There was nothing so secure or comfortable or even more life-affirming, even after a rough day, than simply sleeping in his arms.
10
“Please!” Carey said. “They’re still missing, and with everything that’s discovered about whatever monstrous thing is going on, I’m more and more scared! No one has seen or heard from Don yet, and now Hayden has gone missing, too!”
Carey was being released from the hospital that day. Hunter and Amy were there. They were introducing her to a few of the agents who would be on duty watching over her home.
That was a two-pronged necessity. On one hand, whoever had failed to kill her at the pit might try again. They knew the dead “messiah” Mateus had helped lure people to the caves or dumped them there once they’d been kidnapped, but they also knew he had received orders from someone via his phone. She needed protection, and those watching out for her just might discover the identity of anyone sent to finish the job.
Amy answered her with the best assurance she could manage.
“Carey, we are aware. We’ve informed every officer and agent out there that Hayden and Don are missing and possibly in danger.”
Carey was dismissive. “Possibly in danger? Amy! You know something terrible has happened. A woman like Hayden doesn’t just leave, say she’s coming back, and never show up. And Don! He was with me. I fell in a pit. And he hasn’t been seen since.” She paused, frowning. “They haven’t identified any of the bodies found at the pits as Don, have they?” she asked worriedly.
“No, and they have identified most of the victims,” Hunter said, glancing at Amy. “Carey, believe me, please. We are doing everything humanly possible. The federal government and local law enforcement have this case as an absolute priority.”
Carey closed her eyes and leaned back. She was dressed and ready to go home, but she had been sitting on the bed, waiting for her discharge papers.
“I know. I know, and I’m so sorry,” Carey said. “I just... I’m so lucky! I’m alive. And I am so afraid my friends might not be.”
“We won’t give up, Carey. Again, that we promise,” Hunter told her.
A nurse stepped into the room along with the agent assigned to get Carey home and take first watch. Hunter and Amy excused themselves and stepped out into the hall.
“One down,” Hunter murmured.
“Victim or cult member first?” Amy asked him.
“Closest,” he said smiling.
“Peggy Johnston is just a few doors down,” Amy told him.
“Okay, so Peggy first. Ironic, isn’t it?”
Amy glanced at him.
“Peggy Johnston, about to take part in a murder to save the soul of the victim, and Magda Kenward, the victim who didn’t know others thought her soul needed saving,” Hunter said. “Both are on the same floor of the same hospital. Of course, with agents and police watching over everything. Does Magda Kenward know one of the cult members who was about to cut her heart out is just down the hall?”
“Peggy is no danger to Magda now,” Amy said, frowning.
