Chapter 10: Leland: Before Dawn

Leland's POV

I had driven four miles from the dock when Cecily called.

Her number lit the dashboard, and Hugh answered it on speaker before I could.

"Leland? Hugh?" She was crying so hard I could barely make out the words. "I got away. I'm at the gas station on Quay Road. Please come."

"Stay where you are," Hugh said. "Keep the lights on. We're two minutes out."

I turned the car around in the middle of the road.

In the mirror, the warehouse lights shrank to nothing.

Imogen was in there with her wrists tied, and I was driving away from her again.

I told myself it was only for the money.

Cecily stood under the pump canopy in her blue coat, with her arms wrapped around herself.

Her hair was matted and her mascara had run.

I got out and she threw herself at me.

"They let me go," she sobbed. "They said it was a mistake, they only needed one of us. Where's Imogen? Did you pay them?"

"She's still there."

"Oh God." Her knees gave way, and I caught her. "Oh God, Leland, what have we done?"

Hugh was out of the car by then and back in his chair, folded and wincing, the lie settled around him again.

He rolled up beside us and took her hands.

There were red marks on her wrists, raised and angry.

"We need a doctor," he said.

"I'm fine," Cecily said.

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