“Technically he didn’t kill Janice, but he knew and kept silent. That is just as bad,” Alicia said sadly. “I can’t help but wonder if I had not gotten away, would he have let Novak kill me, too?”
Holly stayed silent. She didn’t have an answer and neither did Alicia.
* * * *
Tony was frustrated. “I want this over and done with. How did he slip away so quickly? Drake was here right away.”
Matt slapped him on the back. “I know, bro. We all want to find this asshole once and for all. People are angry he was involved with this mess. If someone sees him, they will call the station.”
Noah listened and agreed with Matt as he watched the window repairmen fix the window of the restaurant. Ray was talking to one of the men. “I want him just as bad, Tony. He had been on my shit list for some time. This gives me a good excuse to kick his ass. I am pissed he has been involved in all of this right under our noses.”
Tony scanned the area, but he didn’t see John anywhere. Most people were going on about their business. A few were watching what was going on. Carlos Garcia was talking to George Murray, who owned the barbershop across the street. He shook the man’s hand and crossed the street. He walked up to Noah.
“George has a camera pointing to the street. He thinks he might have footage of what happened here. He opened up at eight and he called it in.”
“Awesome.” Noah sighed. “We know it had to be John, but having proof would be good.”
“Why throw a brick through the window? He knew they were not open and Alicia would not be here.” Matt looked thoughtful.
“Maybe he just wanted to scare her and let her know he was still around,” Tony guessed. He wanted to head home and be with Alicia. He had a bad feeling in his gut about this whole situation. He wanted John out of the way and he wanted to concentrate on starting his new life with her. A bad feeling was bubbling in his gut, but he didn’t know why. She was safe in his house. Maybe it was because he had never been in love before and he wanted to wrap her in bubble wrap. When he lost his mother, he had not wanted to feel the deep pain of loss again. He stayed away from anything emotional.
Matt looked around at the crowds slowly disappearing. The excitement had died down. Ray and his father were inside cleaning up the glass. Mrs. Garcia was at home with Alana and the baby.
“What are you thinking?” Tony asked his brother, who was standing quietly, lost in his thoughts.
Matt sighed. “What if he was watching and waiting for a chance to get Alicia alone? He must have seen you two leave Alana’s house together. What if this was a setup to get us out of the house?”
Tony frowned and his stomach tightened up with tension. Before he could put two thoughts together, his phone alarm let off a loud shrill. “The house alarm.”
His brother’s eyes widened with shock and Noah looked at both of them with curiosity.
“He is at our house with the girls,” Tony yelled out loudly. He ran for the truck with his brother. He knew Noah would catch up. His heart was thumping so loudly and his hands were shaking. Please, God, don’t take her from me.
Chapter Twenty-One
Alicia had just closed her eyes in an effort to get herself to relax. Holly was making tea in the kitchen. Alicia was dozing off when she heard glass shatter. She quickly sat up, wincing when her side started hurting. The alarm let off a loud ring that was hurting to her ears.
“Alicia?” Holly ran in looking pale and shaken. She looked at the broken window and gasped. “We have to hide. Let’s go to the panic room. Matt has weapons everywhere.”
Alicia nodded and followed Holly to the back of the house as fast as she could. She could not see anyone on the porch, but she instinctively knew it had to be John.
Holly reached a door Alicia had seen but assumed it was a closet. Holly was punching in a code when Alicia felt a hand over her mouth. She made enough noise for Holly to turn around.
Her eyes got big when she recognized John with his mouth over Alicia’s mouth.
“John,” Holly said in a shaky voice. Her wide blue eyes were filled with apprehension. “You don’t want to hurt Alicia.”
He shook his head. Alicia saw the gun in his hand and her heart sank. She’d finally found the love she had always craved and now this had to happen.
“I don’t plan on hurting her, Holly.” He sounded sincere and Alicia hoped he was. She had no desire to die. “I’m leaving the country, but I had to see Alicia one more time.”
He let go of her mouth and she turned to look at him. Alicia knew it probably wasn’t wise to get an attitude with a man holding a gun, but she couldn’t act meek and mild.
“Why, John? Why not just escape?” She was curious as to what his motive was. He had proved over and over he had no real feelings for her.
“This whole clusterfuck of a situation got out of hand so fast,” he explained, looking remorseful. Alicia blocked Holly with her body. No way was she letting her friend get hurt. “When Novak approached me with his deal last summer, I jumped at the chance to make some quick money. I never signed up for violence.”
“Violence always comes with drugs, John.” Alicia could hear the sadness in Holly’s voice and silently agreed with her. Janice had died because of drugs. Her family was in mourning.