Lexie peeked over Shaunâs shoulder to see an empty room.
There were few places to hide in these small cabins, but Lexie waited in the doorway as Shaun checked the bathroom and closet.
âIt is safe? Can I come in?â Whether she wanted to come in was another question entirely. Shaun hadnât told her the whole truth about himself, that much had become clear. But could she blame him? It wasnât as though sheâd asked the right questions. Or any questions at all.
âAll clear,â he called. The sound of a sliding shower curtain was followed by his reappearance. âYouâd better check if anything was taken, though. Youâre sure you locked the door when you left the room?â
Lexieâs wide eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms, bristling at the implication. âOf course I did. You were standing right next to me and watched me do it.â
He shrugged. âIt doesnât make sense that someone would break into your room and not touch anythingââ
Lexie crossed the room as he spoke. She lifted her bags off the bedâand screamed.
MICHELLE KARL is an unabashed bibliophile and romantic suspense author. She lives in Canada with her husband and an assortment of critters, including a codependent cat, an albino rabbit and an opinionated parrot. When sheâs not reading and consuming copious amounts of coffee, she writes the stories sheâd like to find in her âto be readâ pile. She also loves animals, world music and eating the last piece of cheesecake.
ONE
Lexie Reilly gave her car a final once-over, satisfied that she hadnât forgotten anything for the sixteen-hour overnight ferry crossing to Newfoundland. She slung her travel bag and purse over her shoulder and pressed the car remoteâs lock button twice. The click-beep of the lock and alarm mechanism echoed back at her, and she noted with surprise that she stood alone on the car deck. Everyone else had already cleared out, leaving her amidst a sea of parked vehicles. The radio program sheâd been listening to must have been more engaging than sheâd realized.
Lexie frowned, feeling slightly uneasy. Aside from the rumble of the ship, it felt too quiet. No, too still. Trust your instincts, she thought. Where were the deck attendees? If she was being honest with herself, her instincts were telling her to get up to the passenger decks, find a cup of hot tea and get back to examining her file on Maria, the missing young woman sheâd been searching for these past few months. She had clues to piece together before they docked in Argentia, Newfoundlandâs historic port town and former United States military base.
Despite the ferryâs protection against the early March air, Lexie shivered, looking forward to the warm lounge above. Her footsteps clanged as she walked alongside the cars, weaving through them to get to the stairs. As she crossed between a tall blue van and an oversize SUV, arms circled around her neck and waist, pinning her from behind.
âYou shouldnât have come here,â a scratchy, masculine voice growled.
Lexie tried to scream, but the pressure on her neck made it hard to breathe. She gasped for air and lifted her boot to stamp on his foot. He squeezed tighter, and tears streamed down Lexieâs face as sparks flew in her vision. Every movement she made only increased the pressure on her throat. In moments, she would pass out, or worse. As Lexieâs vision turned blurry, she thought she heard somethingâlike shouting, from far away. Pounding footsteps came toward her and, as quickly as sheâd been grabbed, her attacker released his grip, shoving her forward.
Lexie tumbled to the floor, gasping for air.
Pain shot through her limbs with each breath, and she could still feel where the manâs arm had pressed against her windpipe.
The footsteps stopped as they came close, and she sensed a presence beside her. A gentle touch on her shoulder sent waves of relief flooding through the pain. âSteady,â said a calm male voice. âAre you all right? Do you need medical attention?â