Hidden in Shadows. Hope White

yourself.” He made his way through the crowded living room and practically ran out the front door. She wondered what made him so uneasy about the group. Was it simply that the suspect could be among them? No, she wouldn’t accept that possibility.

      Natalie weaved her way through the crowd. “Did we surprise you?”

      “Totally.”

      Natalie put her arm around Krista and gave her a squeeze. “I know you’re tired, but they insisted.”

      Krista glanced around the room and spotted Tori and Tatum’s mom, Julie Sass, chatting with the youth minister.

      “I should have known something was up when the Sass girls offered to close.”

      “Yeah, why’s that?” Natalie asked.

      “They’ve always been nervous about locking up and setting the alarm.”

      Natalie scanned the room. “Where’s Alan?”

      “He doesn’t like to share me.”

      Natalie snapped her attention to Krista.

      “Sorry, that was mean,” Krista said.

      “No, it was accurate. I didn’t think you noticed.”

      “I notice a lot. I just keep it to myself.”

      Like she noticed how Luke bolted from the party as soon as possible. He acted as if being around friendships and laughter physically pained him. Maybe even terrified him.

      Her cell vibrated on her hip. It was a text message alerting her that something tripped the alarm at the tea shop.

      “Drat. The girls must be having trouble setting the alarm. I’ve gotta buzz over there for a minute.”

      “You can’t go,” Natalie said. “It’s your party.”

      “It will take five minutes.”

      “Then I’ll go with you. You look too tired to drive, anyway.”

      “Gosh, thanks.” With a smile, Krista led Natalie out the front door. Within minutes they were at the shop.

      “Stay here,” Krista said, grabbed her keys from her purse and went to reset the alarm. The back door was open.

      Why would they set the alarm before they locked up?

      Panic gripped her stomach. “Tori? Tatum?” Krista called as she stepped into the shop.

      No one answered. “Girls!”

      She started for the stairs to the office and spotted broken glass and loose-leaf teas sprinkled on the hardwood floor. Backing up, she grabbed her cell phone from her belt and called 9-1-1.

      “9-1-1 emergency.”

      “This is Krista—”

      Someone grabbed her from behind, yanking the phone out of her hand and tossing it across the room. He had his arm around her neck and waist.

      “Where is it?” he growled into her ear.

      “What do you want?”

      “Your purse, your money.”

      “Let me go!” She struggled against him, but he was too strong and about five inches taller than Krista.

      Sirens wailed in the distance.

      Her attacker shoved her aside and Krista lost her balance, banging her head on the counter as she fell to the floor.

      She opened her eyes and spots cluttered her vision. Stunned and confused, she struggled to sit up and lost the battle. Collapsing against the floor, she focused on taking deep, slow breaths.

      “Krista!” Natalie cried.

      And the world faded to black.