Chapter 7 - The Cornered Rat
Headlights swept across the metal walls of the storage unit.
I slammed the laptop shut and shoved the hard drive into my coat pocket.
Footsteps crunched on the gravel outside.
"I know you're in there, Emily."
Ryan's voice was eerily calm.
He stepped into the light, blocking the doorway.
"How did you find me?" I asked, gripping the edge of the table.
"You really think I wouldn't notice the key missing from my shoe?"
He took a step closer. The arrogant mask was gone, replaced by raw desperation.
"Give me the drive, Em."
"You recorded her," I said. "She tried to kill you, and you're still running away with her?"
"I'm not running away with her," Ryan scoffed. "I'm ruining her. The money is in Denver. Once I have my half, I'm turning her in."
"You let her burn our house down!" I screamed. "Look at my face, Ryan! Look at what it cost!"
He flinched, looking away from my scars.
"I never meant for you to get hurt. I tried to go back for you."
"You were unconscious!" I yelled. "I saved you!"
"And I'm grateful," he said, his voice hardening. "But this is bigger than us. Give me the drive."
He lunged for my pocket.
I grabbed the heavy metal lockbox from the table and swung it with all my might.
It caught him squarely in the jaw.
Ryan stumbled backward, groaning, his hands flying to his face.
I didn't wait. I sprinted past him, out into the cold night air.
"Emily!" he shouted from the unit. "You can't go to the police! They'll arrest me too!"
"That's the point!" I yelled back, jumping into my car.
I locked the doors, jammed the keys into the ignition, and sped out of the facility.
My phone buzzed in the cup holder. It was Mark.
I answered it through the car's Bluetooth.
"Emily, you were right," Mark said, his voice frantic. "Vanessa just booked two one-way tickets to Denver for tonight. Flight leaves in two hours."
May you like
They were making their move.
"Call the police, Mark. Tell them to meet me at the airport."
