Page 93 of Asher's Assignment
“She might. It might take a little longer for her to think of it, but it’s worth a shot.” Esther glanced around. “Get in the car and do it. Act like you need to sit down, so if he’s watching on a camera, he doesn’t get too suspicious. I don’t know what kind of surveillance he has here. Some, obviously, or he wouldn’t know we’re here.”
“Okay.” Connie paced away, kicked at some tufts of grass, then marched back to the car. “Is this good?”
Esther smothered a smile. “It’s great.
Connie threw the passenger side door open and flopped onto the seat. She left her legs hanging out, then as surreptitiously as she could, she took her phone from her purse on the floorboard and tucked it under her shirt.
“Are you good?”
“I think so.” Connie hopped up and stormed away again. “Just don’t let him touch my back. If he ever shows up.”
Esther scanned the road again. She really thought he’d be here by now.
Two minutes later, the sound of a car coming down the road filled the air. They’d heard a couple others, so she wasn’t too hopeful, but the sound grew louder and a dark-colored SUV came into view. It slowed as it neared the driveway.
“Is that him?” Connie came closer.
“Maybe. It’s not Edie.” Not unless she’d rented a different car. And quickly.
The car turned, and Esther could see a single male occupant in the front. It bumped over the gravel drive and came to a stop twenty feet behind Connie’s car.
The man left the engine running and got out.
An audible gasp came from Connie.
A sickly-sweet smile spread over his face. He shut the door and walked closer. “Hello, Lindy.”
“You son of a bitch, where’s my daughter?”
“You mean our daughter?”
The blood drained from Connie’s face, but her scowl stayed firmly in place. “No. You don’t get any rights to her. You gave those up when you murdered my parents and left me for dead.”
“The courts won’t see it that way.”
Connie scoffed. “How ever they see it won’t matter, because you’ll be behind bars for their murders.”
“Hardly. You were the one there. It’s your prints and blood they found at the scene. Not mine. You were angry at them. They found out you were pregnant and refused to support you. That made you angry. I mean, why else would you run and change your entire life?”
Esther laid a hand on Connie’s arm before the woman could respond. Arguing with him wasn’t getting them anywhere, and it didn’t matter, anyway. “Where are Leah and Asher? What do you want with us?”
“Ah. So pragmatic. It’s part of what makes you perfect.”
A frown drew her brows down. “Perfect for what?”
“Get in. I’ll explain at home.”
Esther shared a look with Connie. She didn’t like his choice of words. It was like he meant their home. Not just his, but a place where they’d all live. What was his plan?
The affable expression on his face hardened at their hesitation. “I said, get in the car.” He produced a handgun from his waistband. “I won’t ask again. Leave your phones with your vehicle.”
Dammit, Edie. Where are you? Esther’s gaze darted around once before settling on Connie.
“Now!” Lennox yelled.
Esther jumped and closed her eyes for a moment, hoping to slow her racing heart. They were out of time to stall. “Fine.” She looked at him. “We’re coming.” Slowly, she took her phone from her bag and tossed it in through the open door of the car.
“You, too, Lindy.” Lennox gestured toward the car with the barrel of the gun.
