Free Freezing Point by Elizabeth Goddard Page B

whispered and hurried out to the parking lot. The door closed automatically behind her. Suddenly Casey was startled by the dark. What happened to the lights?
    The minimal illumination from distant parking lots didn’t help her much, and clouds must have moved in, hiding the moon. She couldn’t see a thing, much less her car.
    It was a little creepy out here.
    Casey reached behind her for the door handle and tugged.
    Locked.
    Okay, there was nothing for it. She had to go forward. Picturing where she knew her car to be, she moved in that direction but tripped on something, bending her ankle at an awkward position.
    Casey yelped. She stepped on her foot again to test it. She’d live.
    Feeling somewhat embarrassed at her outcry—though who would have heard her—and her sudden fear of the dark, Casey stood perfectly still and took a deep breath.
    There. Nothing to worry about.
    Footsteps sent her heart racing.
    Somewhere in the parking lot, athletic shoes scraped the concrete.
    Casey gave a nervous laugh, hoping to dial down her fear. “Have you got a flashlight?”
    No answer. The footfalls drew near.
    â€œWho’s there?”

EIGHT
    F ear kept Casey paralyzed. Come on, come on, run… Lord, help me!
    Had Tannin finally found her? Or was she simply overreacting?
    The door had to be closer to her than her car. Besides, she’d have to unlock it and right now, it could take her too long to fumble for her keys. Casey broke from the strangle-hold of fear and stumbled back to the door.
    She pounded on the door, not caring if she looked like an idiot. This could be nothing, after all. Then again, the prickles on her arms told her danger approached.
    Bang, bang, bang. “Jesse, let me in!”
    The footfalls grew quicker. Whoever was in the parking lot was coming directly toward her.
    She turned to face her assailant, flattening herself against the door and praying Jesse would open it in time. Still, she saw nothing, no one, in the darkness. Casey’s knees trembled, and she worried she might slide to the ground.
    What a helpless weakling and coward she was. Drawing from somewhere deep inside, she braced herself.
    Fight if you have to. Fight!
    Casey placed her large bag in front of her, wishing she’d carried a weapon inside. Even something heavy like a handweight would transform her purse into a deadly weapon. She’d thought of that weeks ago because of Tannin, but then believed she’d escaped him.
    A whimper broke from her throat.
    Behind the door, a sound infused her with hope. The door pushed open, shoving her forward. Light from inside the building illuminated a strip of the parking lot.
    A man stood a few yards away.
    Casey screamed.
    He slipped into the darkness—gone as though he were a figment of her imagination.
    Jesse tugged her inside, closing the door behind them.
    He gripped her shoulders, piercing her with his gaze. “Casey, what happened? Are you all right?”
    A sob escaped as she shook her head, unable to answer. Heart pounding, she pressed her face into his shoulder, and he slipped his arms around her, comforting her. She didn’t want to grow accustomed to this.
    And what did Jesse think was going on with her? If she didn’t tell him about Will Tannin, he was going to think she was crazy now for sure.
    Finally, she gained control over her emotions and stepped back. Sniffing, she slid a hand under her runny nose, wishing she had a tissue. “That man, did you see him?”
    â€œYes. Did he try to hurt you?”
    â€œNo, I mean…I thought…” What did she think exactly? “It was dark and I heard someone walking toward me. I asked who it was, and he didn’t answer. That’s when I pounded on the door for you to let me back in. Jesse, the door was locked, for crying out loud.”
    Jesse studied her, looking a little like he wasn’t sure he believed her. “Are you sure that he wasn’t just a bum making