The Cradle Conspiracy. Christy Barritt

stuffed deer heads on the wall. The place smelled partly like dust and partly like a pine forest.

      Under other circumstances, Sienna might actually enjoy being here in nature.

      But not knowing what she did—knowing what was at stake and the lengths the unknown man would go to to get what he wanted.

      She shivered as a chill washed over her.

      “I would start a fire, but I don’t want to draw attention to the cabin,” Devin said, turning away from the window and stepping toward him.

      “Probably smart.” She lowered herself on the couch across from him.

      “Here’s a blanket.” He picked up one folded beside him and handed it to her. “It should stave off the cold some.”

      She took the fleece from him and wrapped it over her shoulders. “You think we’ll be safe here?”

      Devin frowned—not the most reassuring reaction she could hope for. But at least the man was being honest and realistic. He sat down on the couch across from her.

      “For tonight, at least,” he said.

      “That man will keep trying to find us.” Sienna’s voice trembled as she remembered the terror she’d felt earlier. Flashbacks hit her. Flashbacks of facing down the intruder. Having a gun held at her head. It would take her a long time to move past that and not panic at every creak in the night that she heard.

      “I know.”

      “I just don’t understand why.” She was thinking aloud, she supposed. It was just that nothing made sense. But she didn’t expect Devin to have answers.

      Frankly, she was surprised he was even involved. Not only was Devin involved, he was deeply involved at this point. He could have lost his life just as easily as her and Colby when that car was chasing them earlier.

      “Nothing else came to mind now that some of the initial shock has worn off?” Devin leaned forward with his elbows propped against his legs.

      “I’m not sure the initial shock has worn off.” She pulled the blanket closer—not because she needed to feel warm. No, because she needed to feel safe. “And, no. Nothing else has come to mind. I’m clueless about all of this. Clueless about where Anita is and why she’s not answering her phone. Who that man was. Why he would want Colby.”

      “I know the police are working on it. Hopefully they’ll figure out some answers soon and everything will return to normal.”

      That was right. Maybe in the morning this nightmare would be over and Sienna could resume her life. Go back to teaching her precious little kindergarteners. Taking walks in the park with Colby. Watching her favorite movies as she drifted off to sleep.

      For some reason, she doubted that was true, though. Her gut told her this ordeal was a long way from being finished. And, even when it was, her life would never be quite the same.

      Hopefully, her gut was wrong.

      Just then, her phone rang. She felt the blood drain from her face as she shuffled through her purse to find the device.

      “I don’t recognize the number,” she muttered, glancing up at Devin.

      Devin crossed the space between them and lowered himself beside her. He glanced at the screen. “Answer anyway. Put it on speaker.”

      Sienna’s hands trembled as she accepted the call. “Hello?”

      “I’m coming for you,” a man whispered. “Next time, you’re going to die.”

      The words echoed in the room until a sick feeling began to churn in Sienna’s stomach.

      What did those words—that threat—even mean? And who was this man who was coming for Sienna?

       FIVE

      Devin grabbed the phone from Sienna, slid the back off and took the battery out. He knew time was of the essence, and they couldn’t risk being followed.

      “Why’d you do that?” Sienna asked, her mouth dropping open slightly.

      “Just in case someone tries to track your number,” he said. “It’s unlikely, but it’s possible. I’m not sure how high-tech these people are, but, until we know more, we shouldn’t take any chances.”

      She shivered, and the slightly offended look in her eyes disappeared. “Good point. The last thing I want to do is lead this man right to us.”

      Devin heard the concern in her voice, and his heart panged with compassion. “I’m going to keep an eye on you guys, Sienna.”

      She didn’t seem to hear him.

      “I knew he wanted Colby, but he wants to kill me?” She shivered again. “I just... I don’t understand.”

      Devin resisted the urge to touch Sienna’s arm or to put his hand on her back. It was tempting, and she looked like she needed comfort. But it wasn’t his place. No, he would keep her and Colby safe, but that was all.

      “You should try and get some rest,” he encouraged her.

      “I wish I could. But I’m certain I can’t. My brain is working overtime.”

      “Maybe I can find something to make some coffee with, then.” He stood.

      Thankfully, power was still connected to the place. It would just take a while for it to heat up sufficiently. And turning the lights on seemed too dangerous, a surefire signal to anyone going past that they were here. They couldn’t take the risk.

      “Coffee sounds good.” She pulled her sleeves over her hands, making her look more like a college student than a teacher.

      Devin made his way into the kitchen and found what he needed. A few minutes later, the pot percolated. Once it was done, he brought two cups over—one for himself and one for Sienna.

      He handed Sienna hers. “Sorry—no cream or sugar. But it’s warm.”

      “Thank you.”

      He sat across from her again, his thoughts spinning toward the unknown future. “You said you brought something for Colby to eat in the morning, correct?”

      “Yes, that’s correct. I grabbed some of his favorite snacks and some juice, cereal and bananas before we left.”

      “Good, at least we don’t have to worry about that.” He had so many other things on his mind—food wasn’t at the top of his list. He and Sienna could make do with whatever they found, but not the baby.

      He glanced up as he felt Sienna studying him.

      “Why are you helping us, Devin?” she asked, not looking the least bit embarrassed or apologetic to be caught staring. “Why put your own life at risk?”

      “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I sat back while something happened to you.”

      “But you don’t even know us.” Confusion stretched through her voice.

      “I don’t have to know you. I know enough. You’re a single woman and Colby is a child. I can’t leave you on your own with someone trying to kill you.”

      She held her coffee in front of her with both hands, ready to take a sip. “Well, that’s really nice of you. I just hope you don’t regret it. I’m not sure what lies ahead.”

      “None of us do, do we?” Devin’s voice caught. His whole life had been proof that what a person hoped waited for them in the future was often not reality.

      Sienna took a sip of her coffee and leaned back. “No, we don’t. Funny how we’ve lived beside each other for six months and this is the most we’ve ever spoken.”

      If