Count to Three by Ragan T.R

Author:Ragan, T.R.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Published: 2021-12-14T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

It was almost dark by the time Carlin saw Dylan Rushdan riding his bike toward him in River Walk Park. Once the sun began to set, it got cold fast. Carlin was shivering. The last group of students had passed by twenty minutes ago. He’d started to think maybe Dylan Rushdan had skipped class.

But here he was, coming his way, moving fast.

Carlin tugged on the wire he’d already secured to the tree across from him and held tight. The seconds ticked by until Dylan Rushdan’s front tire made contact with the wire and sent the poor boy flying through the air.

With little time to get the job done, Carlin raced across the gravel path and cut the wire loose, then tossed it aside. Just as quickly, he hurried to Dylan Rushdan’s side and held out a hand to help him up. “Whoa, man. Are you okay?”

Dylan was on his back. He looked dazed, but he took Carlin’s hand and let him help him to his feet.

Dylan brushed himself off. “What the hell was that?”

Carlin shrugged. “I don’t know. One minute you were speeding by, and the next you were flying through the air. Must have hit a rock.”

He gave Dylan a minute to catch his breath before he pointed a finger at Dylan and wagged it at him. “I know you, don’t I?”

“No,” Dylan murmured. “I don’t think so.”

“No. I recognize you,” Carlin said. “You’re dating Ali Cross, aren’t you?”

Dylan frowned. “Who told you that?”

“Ali Cross’s sister, Gracie, did. I was doing some work at the house. Ali’s little sister is quite the chatterbox.”

“Yeah, we’re dating.” Dylan Rushdan looked around as if he was just noticing that it was dark and cold and he was talking to a complete stranger out in the middle of nowhere. He frowned. “Did you set this whole thing up?”

“What whole thing?”

“My bike. Something tripped up my front wheel.” Dylan looked past Carlin, peering into the dark, trying to see the area where his bike had flipped over. Dylan then leaned down, grabbed hold of the handlebar, and pulled his bike upright.

“Ali told me the two of you were just friends.”

“What is your fucking problem? She loves me and I love her, and someday we’re going to get married. Does that answer your question?”

Carlin felt his blood pressure building and rising. All he could hear was a pounding in his ears. Ali had lied to him. As he reached into his back pocket, he counted to three.

“Who are you, anyway?” Dylan asked. “When did you talk to Ali?”

Carlin looked into his eyes as he plunged the knife into Dylan’s chest, holding tight and staggering forward as Dylan struggled to stay upright. The knife was new and sharp, but it still surprised him how easily the blade had penetrated shirt and flesh. He’d never stabbed anyone before. It felt like a dream—fantastical and odd.

The surprise on Dylan’s face was borderline comical. Despite all the warning signs, the big good-looking guy with the square jaw and brawny muscles had obviously thought he was safe.

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