Once Hunted. Blake Pierce

wondering whether he had a gun as well. If so, would he use it? No, simply shooting somebody hardly seemed Hatcher’s style. She wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t even armed – but he’d be no less dangerous even so.

      She walked cautiously toward where she thought she’d heard the sound. Now her own footsteps sounded positively deafening as they rang through the garage. Before she’d walked more than a few feet, she heard a noisy crack behind her, followed by a rattling sound.

      She whirled around, her gun raised and ready. But at that very second, she heard a clatter of running footsteps from the opposite direction. She whirled again, but saw and heard nothing.

      She instantly understood what had just happened. He’d thrown something – a pebble, maybe – across the way to distract her. Now he was moving among the parked cars somewhere. But where?

      Turning around and around as she walked, she threaded her way among the parked cars, looking everywhere she possibly could.

      Finally she reached the garage exit. Snow was falling outside. And there he was – unmistakably silhouetted in the open space against the glaring outdoor lights.

      “Hatcher!” Riley yelled, pointing her gun. “Freeze!”

      She heard a familiar, grim chuckle. Then he disappeared into the night.

      Riley broke into a run and rushed through the wide exit. The wind and cold were much sharper outside the garage, and Riley wasn’t warmly dressed. She shivered deeply and almost choked on the cold air. Snowflakes stuck to her face and stung her skin.

      The driveway outside the garage wound a short way to the well-lighted street. Turning and turning, looking everywhere, Riley called out.

      “Hatcher! Show yourself!”

      Now the air was filled with the low rumble of nearby traffic. Looking around at the snow-covered shapes of trees and bushes, Riley found it hard to imagine that he was hidden among them.

      “Hatcher!” she yelled again.

      Finally she reached the street and looked up and down the cleared sidewalks along the street. She saw no sign of anyone.

      He’s gone, she decided.

      Still watching all sides, Riley made her way back to the garage. Just as she stepped into the broad opening, she heard a flutter of movement.