Part 34 (1/2)

Dallas...Dallas...please, respond to me. She tried to concentrate solely on making contact with the only person with whom she shared the rarest of all connections. He would be able to track her through her thoughts and find her. But only if he believed. Only if his love was strong enough.

When her captor's warm, vile s.e.m.e.n hit the valley between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, she turned her head and emptied her stomach.

Checking out the whereabouts of their three primary suspects, Jacob and Dallas found Dillon Carson still at home, sporting a ma.s.sive hangover, the results of his drunken binge the night before. And Jamie Upton was resting in bed, with his grandmother and fiancee catering to his every whim. But Royce Pierpont's antique shop was closed, and he didn't respond when they knocked on his door. Going against the law and not giving a d.a.m.n, Dallas broke into Pierpont's apartment. He and Jacob searched the place from top to bottom, but found nothing that might link him to Genny.

”Does this place have a bas.e.m.e.nt?” Dallas asked.

”Yeah, I think so. Almost all these old buildings have bas.e.m.e.nts.”

”Got any idea how to find the entrance?”

Jacob shook his head. ”Not really, but my guess is we'll find it somewhere in one of the back rooms of the antique shop.”

”We'll try the back door. No need for anyone to see us breaking and entering.” Dallas headed down the apartment stairs. By the time his feet hit the sidewalk outside, Jacob came up behind him.

”You don't have a problem breaking and entering, do you?” Jacob asked.

”I've never been a by-the-rules kind of guy,” Dallas said. ”And when it comes to saving Genny, I'd break every law in the books, if that's what it took.”

”Then what are we waiting for?”

The two men exchanged a meaningful look, then Dallas ran down the block, rounded the corner, and headed up the alley. When Jacob caught up with him, Dallas already had the back door to the antique shop open and was going inside. As luck would have it, the stairs to the bas.e.m.e.nt were in the storage room directly off the alleyway.

Groping in the dark, Dallas sought and found a light switch. Several high-wattage bulbs came on instantly, lighting the stairs and brightening the dark, dank bas.e.m.e.nt. When he reached the foot of the rickety, wooden stairs, Dallas sniffed the air.

”I smell it too. Blood and...” Jacob's jaw clenched.

”The scent of death.”

Jacob nodded.

They found Esther Stowe on an antique chaise longue that had been used as an altar. Her body had been sliced open, just like the other victims.

”It's Pierpont,” Dallas said. ”And he has Genny.”

Leaving everything just as they'd found it, Dallas and Jacob returned to Jacob's truck. Esther Stowe wasn't going anywhere. No one would be disturbing the scene of the crime. With saving Genny their top priority, they headed out of town, following the ma.s.sive manhunt for Genny that had moved from Cherokee Pointe into the surrounding county.

They knew who the killer was. Unfortunately, that knowledge wouldn't help them find Genny. He could have taken her anywhere in the whole county.

Leaning his head back against the leather seat, Dallas closed his eyes. Genny, where are you?

Jacob turned to Dallas, a somber expression on his face. ”We're going to find her. And when we do, I want Pierpont. Do you hear me? Pierpont's mine.”

”No,” Dallas replied, his eyes still closed, his heartbeat humming in his ears. ”He's mine.”

Jacob didn't respond. He had to understand that as much as he loved Genny, she was no longer his responsibility. She belonged to Dallas now, as he belonged to her. He was her protector.

Genny, reach out to me, connect with me. Help me find you.

Dallas's mind began floating free, off into another realm. Dark, swirling clouds filled his mind.

I'm here, Dallas. I'm here.

”Genny!” Dallas's eyelids popped open as he shouted her name aloud.

Jacob slammed on the brakes. ”What is it? What's wrong?”

”I don't know. Nothing.” Dallas gulped several times. ”I think Genny just contacted me.”

”Then by G.o.d, you'd better listen to her.”

Dallas closed his eyes. Genny, I'm listening. Talk to me.

Come to me. He heard the words that weren't spoken, only felt with the heart. If we stay together and don't break the bond, you can find me. You'll know where I am.

Can't you tell me where he's taken you? Dallas asked her.

High in the mountains. Deep in the woods.

Has he harmed you?

When she didn't respond, a horrific ache began in Dallas's gut and spread through his entire body.

If he's hurt you, I'll- Concentrate all your energy on staying linked to me so you can find me. Don't waste your strength on anger.

Dallas tried to banish every thought from his mind except Genny. As he focused on her and her alone, a sensation of unbelievable power encompa.s.sed him. And then he knew.

”Go northeast, up the mountain, to the very top,” Dallas said.

Without questioning him, Jacob headed the Dodge Ram northeastward.

”Only a few more hours to wait,” Royce told her. ”I've prepared the altar in the grove. Here atop the mountain is a perfect setting for you, my precious Genevieve. Your blood will spill onto the earth you love so dearly.”

Genny heard the drone of Royce's voice, but she didn't even try to listen to his undistinguishable words. She kept her mind linked with Dallas's as she had for endless hours. Time had ceased to exist. All she felt was Dallas's love. All she heard was Dallas's thoughts. All she knew was that with each breath she took Dallas was drawing closer and closer.

Suddenly she felt other thoughts intruding, other minds trying to link with hers. She fought the intruders, but their voices became so strong they forced her to hear them. Precariously hanging on to her bond with Dallas, she listened and responded.

Yes, yes. Come to me. Help me. Lead Dallas to me.

The search party had combed the mountaintop, with Sally and her fully recovered bloodhounds tracking, hoping for a scent to lead them to Genny. Still linked to Genny, Dallas knew she was in this area and not far from him. But where was she? Her signals had grown weaker during the past couple of hours, as if her strength was depleted and she was struggling to hang on.

”Is this the highest point on the mountain?” Dallas asked Jacob.

”Yeah.” His eyes widened with revelation. ”No! Ooc.u.mma Mount is the highest elevation.”

”Is it east of here?”

Jacob pointed the direction. East. ”Straight up there, right into the clouds.”