Free Final Touch by Brandilyn Collins

sat back, one fist against his hip. He shot a rueful look at Gary, then Rayne. “All right. Sorry to upset you. Like I said, we have to check everything out.” He stood and clicked off the recorder.
    Anger and determination creased Rayne’s face. “We want to announce the car and license plate at the press conference. And the kidnapper’s name. You should find a picture of a 1997 blue Ford Explorer. Blow it up so the media can get a good shot of it. And blow up the mug shot of Fledger.”
    Agent Scarrow held up his palms. “Rayne, we’re still discussing that.”
    “No!” She stuck out her chin. “Discussion’s over. We’ve been sitting here for twelve hours, doing nothing but waiting for information from you. We can’t wait any longer. We’ve made a decision; we’re Shaley’s parents, and we expect you to do what we want!”
    You tell him, Rayne.
    Gary lifted his hands, as if his outburst had drained him. “Rayne, it’s okay. Calm down.”
    “I’m not going to calm down.”
    Agent Scarrow picked up his recorder and headed out of the room.
    “How could he say that?” Brittany burst out, knowing full well the agent was still close enough to hear her.
    “Come on, Rayne.” Gary sat beside her and reached for her arm.
    Rayne drew away. “Don’t take his side, Gary. You heard what he was implying.”
    “It doesn’t matter. He’s just doing his job.”
    “It does matter.”
    “No, it doesn’t.” Gary reached for her again. “Come on, Rayne. It’s okay.”
    Rayne’s shoulders slumped. Her chin started to tremble. “Gary, I don’t know what to do.”
    He nudged her toward him. Rayne gave in, sank against his chest, and burst into tears.
    Brittany edged out of the room, heart breaking for them. She felt so helpless. If only she could make this all go away, right now.
    As for Agent Scarrow—she wanted to punch the man.

18
    M y fingers shook so hard I could barely punch in the numbers. Nine.
    My heart refused to beat. It quivered inside my ribs, flushing me with dizziness.
    One. One.
    I gripped the phone, smashing it against my ear. One ring.
    “Nine-one-one, what is your emergency?”
    I couldn’t believe it. I was talking to someone!
    “I—this is Shaley O’Connor.” My voice came out in a whisper. “I’ve been kidnapped. Please help me. I’m somewhere in Utah, in a cabin.”
    “Are you okay?” The woman sounded so calm.
    “Yes. No. Please come get me.”
    “We’ll send someone, Shaley. Where were you kidnapped from?”
    “Santa Barbara, California.”
    The woman hesitated. “You’re Rayne’s daughter?”
    “Yes.”
    “Everyone’s looking for you.”
    Really?
    Of course it would be on the news by now. Still, just to hear people wanted to find me…
    “How many people are holding you, Shaley?”
    “One man. He says his name is Joshua, but I doubt that’s his real name. It’s—”
    “Is he still driving the Ford Explorer?”
    I stifled a gasp. They knew that? We’d changed cars twice. “Yes.”
    “Okay. Can you stay on the phone?”
    “I don’t know the address. How do you know where to come?”
    “We can see where you’re calling from. We’ve already got people alerted.”
    Oh, thank you, God.
    “Please tell my mom I didn’t mean the things he made me say on the phone.” My voice caught. Just the memory of saying those awful words…
    “I will.”
    I glanced over my shoulder toward the door.
    “Where is Joshua right now, Shaley?” “He’s—”
    On the other side of the wall, the toilet flushed. I jerked. “I have to go.”
    Footsteps in the bathroom. I heard the click of its door opening.
    I set down the receiver—too fast. It rattled.
    Heart in my throat, I flung myself left toward the closet. Yanked open the door and leaned down. I could hear Joshua coming.
    His footsteps carved to a stop at the doorway. “ What are you doing?”
    I straightened up, gestured toward the closet. “It’s empty. I was hoping to find shoes.”

19
    B rittany stood at