Stranded. Debby Giusti

seen his expression brighten was when he’d talked to his sister. Other than that, he’d seemed closed, as if holding himself in check.

      Judging by his appearance, he must have either been sick or sustained an injury. Her heart softened for an instant before she caught herself and reeled in her emotions. She didn’t want to delve into his past or any pain he carried. She had enough of her own.

      Her eyes burned as she thought of her sister. Too often, Briana had called begging for money to buy more drugs. Colleen had adopted a tough-love attitude that had backfired. She had hoped going after Trey would ease the burden of guilt that weighed her down. Now Vivian was injured, and the evidence she had planned to give Colleen was buried in the rubble.

      Squinting into the night, Colleen saw the outline of her Honda, partially covered with debris. The passenger door was still open. Using her cell phone for light, she approached the car and leaned inside.

      Working her hand across the floorboard, she searched for two purses, one of which contained the evidence Vivian had promised. The other—her own handbag—held the tiny memory card filled with digital photos.

      Trying to recall the series of events when she pulled into the roadside park, Colleen bent lower. Vivian had dropped her purse at her feet as soon as she’d climbed into the car. Colleen extended her arm under the seat and then stretched down even farther.

      A hand touched her shoulder.

      She jerked. Her head knocked against the console, hitting near the spot injured earlier in the storm. The pain made her gasp for air. Rubbing the initial knot that was still noticeable, she turned to stare into Frank’s dark eyes.

      “Looking for something?” His voice was laced with accusation.

      “My...my carry-on bag,” she stammered.

      He gripped her upper arm and pulled her from the car.

      “What are you doing?” Her voice cracked, making her sound like a petulant child when she wanted to be forceful and self-assured.

      “Let go of my arm,” she demanded, more satisfied with the intensity of her command.

      “Promise me you won’t run.”

      She straightened her back. As if she could outrun Frank.

      “I was searching for my own luggage in my own car. That doesn’t warrant being manhandled.”

      His head tilted. He released his hold on her.

      She rubbed her arm. He hadn’t hurt her, but he had been aggressive.

      Dark shadows played over his steely gaze. “What were you really looking for, Colleen?”

      Refusing to be intimidated, she held her ground. “I just told you. My carry-on.”

      “Which I found in the trunk of your car.” He held up the shoulder bag Vivian had carried. “Was this what you wanted?”

      “That’s Vivian’s purse. She dropped it on the floor when she slipped into the car.”

      “Then maybe you were looking for her cell.” He held up the iPhone.

      “Should I have been?”

      He leaned closer. “You tell me.”

      “Look, Frank, we’re not getting anywhere fast. I’m sure Vivian would like her purse and phone back. As for me, I’m not interested in either item.”

      “Did Vivian tell you about the video? The near-field communication function was turned on. Had she planned to send a copy of the video to your phone?”

      “I don’t know anything about a video.”

      Vivian had evidence she’d wanted to share. A chill ran down Colleen’s spine. Frank had found what Vivian had promised to provide.

      He tapped Vivian’s phone. A picture appeared on the screen of a rectangular object wrapped in plastic.

      Colleen leaned in to view the screen. “What’s in the shrink wrap?”

      “Don’t play dumb. You know exactly what the package contains.”

      She pulled back, frustrated by the hostility in his voice.

      When she didn’t respond, he took a step closer, too close.

      “Coke. Crack. Crystal.” He glared down at her. “You get the message?”

      His eyes narrowed even more. “Were you and Vivian working for the guy in the video, only maybe Vivian was dealing on the side? Maybe she wanted to rip him off? He got angry and followed her.”

      Frank hesitated for half a heartbeat. “Or was he following you? Did you and Vivian plan to blackmail him? Maybe you wanted payment for the video. Did you ask for cash, or did you want the payoff in drugs?”

      Anger swelled within her. Frank was just like the cops in Atlanta.

      “Do you always jump to the wrong conclusion?” she threw back at him. “Must not bode well for your law enforcement career.”

      Fire flashed from his eyes. She had struck a sore spot. He took a step back and pursed his lips.

      “We need to talk.” He glanced up the hill. “At Evelyn’s house.”

      “You mean you’re not going to haul me off to jail?”

      “Tell me the truth, Colleen. That’s all I want. Why did you meet Vivian at the roadside park? Who’s the guy in the video? Was he the shooter? If so, why’d he come after you? If you’ll answer those questions, then I’ll listen. If you’re unwilling, I’ll transport you to CID Headquarters tonight.”

      She raised her chin with determination and stood her ground. “I’m not military. You don’t have jurisdiction over me.”

      A muscle in his neck twitched. “Then I’ll contact the local authorities.”

      “They’re busy, tied up with the aftermath of the storm. I doubt they’d be interested.”

      “You’re wrong. A woman was shot. She was in a video and appears to have been dealing drugs. The local authorities may be busy, but they’re not that busy.”

      Colleen breathed out a deep sigh of resignation. She didn’t have a choice. “You’re right, Frank. We need to talk.”

      “I’ve got my truck.” He pointed to where it was parked on the far side of the Amish store.

      If only she had noticed the vehicle earlier. She would have turned around and returned to Evelyn’s house and not attempted to search her car while Frank was in the area.

      Hindsight wouldn’t help her now.

      She walked purposefully toward the pickup with Frank following close behind.

      Duke stared at her from inside the cab. Frank reached around her and opened the passenger door. “Down, boy.”

      The dog jumped onto the gravel driveway. Colleen slipped into the passenger seat.

      Once Duke was secured in the back of the pickup, Frank returned to the barn and stretched crime scene tape around her car. Her heart skittered in her chest. The yellow tape made everything that had happened today even more real. She raked fingers through her thick curls. What had she been thinking, trying to cover up information from the authorities?

      Her eyes burned. She clenched her fists, blinking back the tears. She needed to be strong. If she broke down, Frank would think she had something to hide.

      Walking back to his truck, he raised his cell phone to his ear. Was he answering a call or making one? To local law enforcement perhaps?

      Would the police be waiting for her at Evelyn’s house? She bit her lip and looked into the darkness. How had she gotten into this predicament when all she wanted was to talk sense into Vivian and gather more evidence against Trey?

      Frank