Part 36 (2/2)
”Why not?”
”They'll need more evidence. We have to put the pieces together, yours and mine. Did you figure out what T.D. meant?”
”Yes.”
I turned my head as Linda's footsteps approached from down the hall. Craig squeezed back behind the door.
”Linda,” I said. ”Wait out-”
But the k.n.o.b turned and she walked in.
Craig, seeing he was caught, stepped out to reveal himself. Linda let out a shriek.
”It's okay,” I said. ”It's okay. I was expecting him.”
”Who is he?” She shuffled over to me.
”Craig Foster.”
She did a double take. ”What's going on? Why the h.e.l.l is he here?”
”He's innocent,” I said. ”He has the rest of the proof. I found something too.”
”Okay,” he said, ”enough talk. I can't stick around here. It's not safe. Show me what you have.”
”What about what you have?” I said.
”Just get it, okay? I'll explain soon enough.”
”It's upstairs.”
I retrieved the bear and brought it back down to the studio. I held it out to him. ”This belonged to Kelly. The initials, T.D., were short for Teddy. Kelly hid some things inside.” I pulled out the pa.s.sport, license, key, and a note. ”This is the part I don't understand.” I handed him the note. ”It's some kind of weird code. I can't make sense of it.”
He studied it, then smiled.
”Yes,” he said, ”this is exactly what I need. You have no idea. Now, we don't have much time. You have to help me out.”
”What?”
”I need you to drop me off. I left my motorcycle where they can't find it. Outside of town. I'll explain everything once we get there.”
”Here,” I said, ”just take the keys to my Jeep. You can call and let me know where you left it.”
”You're not listening. I need your help to do this. And everyone's looking for me. They might recognize me if I drive.”
”Okay ... I'll drive you.”
”Her too,” he said.
”Why?”
”Why do you think? She'll spill to the cops the minute we leave.”
Linda sat in the front of the Jeep with me. Craig crouched low in the back.
”Which way?” I said.
”Out to the highway, then hang a left.”
After several direction changes, I realized we were heading toward the old house. As we approached it, Craig leaned over my shoulder. ”Park a couple houses down. I don't want this thing sitting in the drive.”
”Where's your motorcycle?” I asked.
”Hidden in the garage.”
The three of us hopped out.
”Come on,” he said, ”follow me.”
I looked at Linda, and she at me.
”Well, come on,” he said, ”before someone spots us. Oh, for ...” He grabbed our wrists and began dragging us across the road. ”Hurry up.”
We scuttled in and out of shrubbery until we'd reached the back of the house. He finally released us to open the side door of the garage. ”See?” He pointed inside at his motorcycle. ”Right there. Now do you believe me?”
The minute he turned his back, I gave Linda a push. ”Run!”
”What the h.e.l.l?” he cried, and tore off after her. She didn't get very far. He caught her and yelled back at me. ”Hey, Gwyn.”
I stopped running and turned around.
”Think you should get back here.” He took Linda by the hair, pulled her head back exposing her throat, then casually flipped open a switchblade. He pointed the knife at me. ”I really think you should get over here.”
I complied.
”Listen,” he said. ”I am innocent. Okay? So don't make me do things I don't want to do. Geez.”
”Then let us go.”
”I will, after you help me. Wait *til you see what I found. I think you'll be surprised. Hey, you got a key to this place? My way in could be a little messy.”
”I have a key.”
I turned it in the lock and opened the door.
He pushed us inside. ”This way,” he said.
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