CRUSH (29 page)

“I’ll help you,” she replied without
hesitation. “I promise.”

“Okay, let’s go back in. Don’t forget, I’m
watching.”

She nodded, and I released her.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Chris’s
number. He answered on the second ring.

“I’ve got the evidence we need, and I found a
witness. It’s the Bradley kid. I knew something was off about him, I just never
imagined
this
. He’s got Cami, Chris.
I need to find her.”

“Hang on. I’ll be right there, and I’ll send
the squad car over for your witness.”

“I can’t wait. I’ve got to go after them. He
slashed my tires, so I’m taking the witness’s vehicle. Put out an APB for his,
please. The info on it is in the file I gave you for review.”

“Already on it,” he replied.

Hanging up, I dialed Cami.

“Cami’s phone,” Clay answered.

“Put Cami on the phone, now,” I demanded.

“No problem. It happens,” he replied, making no
sense, and instantly the line went dead.

Damn.

I watched from the hallway as Gabby went to
retrieve her purse and came back. She dropped her keys into my hand and
followed me outside as I went over to my car.

“What are you doing?” she asked when I popped
the trunk.

“I need to grab a few things.” I got my
underarm holster out and slid it on before slipping my gun into it. I put my leather
jacket on over the top to conceal the weapon. I didn’t want to freak Clay out
if he saw it when I found him. I slid my badge into my pocket and grabbed a
pair of handcuffs.

“I can’t believe you’re a cop,” Gabby
whispered. “You don’t seem that old.”

“That’s how I got picked for the job.” I
grabbed her wrist. “I’m sorry to do this, but you’re my key witness, and I
can’t have you running.” I handcuffed her to the trunk latch and placed her
purse in my car so she couldn’t call anyone from her phone. “Someone will be
here to get you soon.”

She nodded as the tears continued to roll down
her face.

“Are you sure you don’t know where he took
Cami? It would be somewhere he felt safe.”

“He never said.”

I stared hard at her.

“Honest. I’d tell you if I knew. I need all the
breaks I can get.”

“Where does he cook his meth?” I asked, an idea
suddenly forming.

She looked worried.

“Tell me, Gabby.”

“At the theater.”

“The theater?”

“There’s an abandoned theater on the second
floor that’s all locked up. Everyone thinks it’s haunted. He found another
entrance into it from a set of service stairs no one ever uses. He has a key.”

The strange noises and smells
coming from the theater . . . it all made sense now.
It was Clay all along.

“Where are the service stairs?” Cami hadn’t
shown me those.

“There’s a locked door by the back entrance.
There’s a narrow staircase behind it. You’ll need keys to get in. He stole his
boss’s and made his own set so he could get in any time.”

I was already running toward her car.

“You really love her, don’t you? It’s not an
act,” she called after me.

“I do,” I replied over my shoulder.
I only hoped I wasn’t too late.

Cami-

“I have a surprise for you,” Clay said with a
smile as he pulled me into the hall.

“A surprise? For what?” He was quite handsome
in his tuxedo and mask tonight. I’d noticed several of the girls staring at
him. It made me hopeful he’d soon have a girlfriend all his own.

“Well, if I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise
now, would it? Turn around.”

“Turn around?”

“Yes. I’m going to blindfold you so you won’t
see where we’re going until we get there.”

“I don’t know. This seems awfully suspicious,”
I teased, but I did as he asked.

He fastened a soft, silky cloth over my eyes.
“You can trust me, Cami,” he whispered in my ear, then took my elbow and guided
me along.

“So what brought on this surprise?”

“A couple of things actually. The end of our
senior year is coming up, and you’ll be turning eighteen soon. We’re moving on
into different chapters of our life, so I thought we should celebrate all the
time we’ve been friends with something special.”

“You’re always so sweet and thoughtful. Thank
you, Clay. I can’t wait to see what you have planned.”

I heard a car door open. “Watch your head. I’m
going to help you get inside.”

I grabbed his arms to steady myself as I sat
down. “Make sure you get all of my dress into the car.”

“Got it,” he answered, closing it.

I touched the cloth over my eyes.

“Hey! No peeking!” he ordered as he slid in
beside me. “Keep your hands in your lap or I’ll have to tie them too. We can’t
have you ruining the surprise.”

“Yes sir!” I laughed as I dropped them.

The car started and we were moving.

“This is weird. Why don’t you tell me where
we’re going? People are going to think you’re kidnapping me or something.”

He chuckled. “Nice try. You’re going to have to
be patient.”

I felt my cell start to vibrate in the tiny
clutch I had strapped to my wrist. “Oh. My phone is ringing.”

“I’ll get it for you,” Clay said, and the strap
slipped off my wrist.

“Hello, Cami’s phone.” He paused. “No problem.
It happens.” I heard a beep. “Somebody calling for Julie.”

“Ah, wrong number then.”

“Yep.”

“Are we going far?”

“No. We’ll be there in a couple of minutes.”

“So it’s a close surprise.” I tried, but couldn’t
figure out where he might be taking me. “I had a lot of fun with you at the
dance tonight.”

“Me too. It was just like old times, wasn’t
it?”

“Yes, it was. I couldn’t help but notice all
the girls staring at you. I think your new style has garnered quite the fan
club.”

“Nah. I don’t care about any of those girls
anyway. If they didn’t like me before, why should I care what they think now?”

“Well, it’s their loss then.”

He reached over and squeezed my hand. “You’re
the best, Cami. You know that, right?”

“Just happy to call you my friend.”

His hand slipped from mine, but he didn’t
reply. We sat together in silence until he stopped the car.

“Stay here. I’ll come around to help you.”

In an instant he was at my side, helping me
out.

“Can I take my blindfold off now?”

“Soon, but not yet. Come on lets go.”

We walked for a little way before he paused and
guided me up a step. I heard some keys jangling and the sound of a door opening
followed by more keys and another door.

“Okay, we are going to walk up some stairs, so
be careful.”

He wrapped his arm around my waist and escorted
me inside. I heard both doors close behind us, and the air suddenly smelled
stale and musty.

“Where are we?” I asked again, starting to feel
uncomfortable with this.

“You’ll see in a second. You’re gonna love it,
I promise.”

We carefully made our way up the steps, pausing
when we reached the top. I heard him fiddling with yet another lock before he
guided me inside, the sound of the latch clicking behind us. I could hear music
playing and realized it was a song from Phantom of the Opera. He knew me so
well.

“What are you up to?” I asked, a grin sweeping
over my face.

“Making your dreams come true.” He laughed.
“Before you take your blindfold off here’s a toast to the future. Then you can
see where you are.” He thrust a
thin stemmed
glass
into my hand. “Drink up!”

I lifted it to my lips and took a tiny sip
before starting to giggle. “Is this fruit
punch
in a
champagne flute?”

“I know it’s your favorite, so come on, bottoms
up. I have a glass of my own.” He clanked his against mine.

I smiled and quickly downed the rest of the
contents. “Okay, show me what you’ve got going on.”

“All right. Let me put these glasses over here
real quick, and then I’ll help you with the blindfold.”

He was back in a few seconds, working at the
knot behind my head. “Here you go!”

I opened my eyes, but they blurred and it took
a moment to adjust to the light. I gasped. “Are we in the old theater?”

“Yeah, amazing isn’t it?” He smiled and slipped
his arm around my waist.

“Where did you find so many white Christmas
lights this time of year?” It was like we’d stepped back in time—the old
wallpaper had yellowed but was still beautiful, surrounded by thick sculpted
moldings. The red covered seats were still in pristine condition, and so was
the carpet. Every surface had small white lights strung across it. They were on
the walls, over the backs of the chairs, and down the red velvet drapes that
hung in front.

“How’d you ever get Jon’s permission to use
this place? I’ve never even seen
him
come in here. It’s so beautiful.”

He ignored my question and pointed to the
ceiling above the curtains. “The theater screen actually rolls down in front of
the curtain there. Behind them is an actual stage. I guess they used to have a
few family performances here as well. When I saw this, I knew I’d chosen the
perfect place to bring you. It reminded me of Phantom of the Opera. I know how
you love that play.”

“It’s perfect!” I turned and gave him a big
hug.

He held me tightly for a few seconds, before
suddenly releasing me. “Wait! There’s more!” He hurried over to the stage and
disappeared behind the curtain.

“What are you doing?” I asked unable to
suppress my grin.

“Just a second!”

I heard a squeaking sound, and the drapes
spread apart, revealing a large candelabrum with candles aflame on it. Fog
began creeping out across the stage, and I laughed, clapping my hands together
in delight.

Clay stepped onto the stage with a grin and
beckoned me. “I told you I’d be your Phantom come to life. Come sing for me,
Camilla!”

I shook my head as I walked up the aisle toward
him, laughing. “Not on your life.”

“Really?” He looked genuinely disappointed. “I
brought karaoke and everything! I wanted this to be your big moment.”

He took my hand and helped me up the steps.

I hugged him again. “I can’t believe you went
to all this work just for me. This is incredible!”

His hand slid up to my neck, and he leaned back
so he could look into my eyes tenderly. “I’m so glad you like it. I’d do
anything for you. Anything.” He paused for a moment, glancing over my face
before his mouth descended toward mine.

He caught me completely off guard, and I shoved
him away, causing him to stumble backward. “Stop it, Clay. Don’t ruin
this . . . not now when things are finally starting to feel
normal again between us.”

“But I thought . . . I thought
you liked it . . . I thought you could finally see.” He seemed
utterly astonished.

“See what? Why can’t
you
see? Why can’t you hear what I’m constantly telling you? I’m in
love with Hunter.” My skin flushed as my temper rose.

“No you aren’t! You don’t even know him. You
and me,” he gestured between us, “we’ve been together for years! It’s meant to
be. Why do you keep resisting it?”

Tears started rolling down his panicked face.

“I’m sorry to hurt you. But I don’t feel the
same. You’re my best friend, Clay. That’s all there is.”

“You have no idea the things I’ve done to have
you, Cami. I wasn’t lying when I said I’d do anything. I’m tired of waiting for
you. I won’t take no for an answer anymore.” His expression turned to something
hard and determined, and suddenly I was scared.

“What have you done?” I was honestly afraid to
hear the answer.

“I removed the competition.”

I stepped away nervously as he stalked forward.
“What did you do to Hunter?” I asked, dread shooting through me.

“Hunter?” He seemed confused for a moment.
“Nothing to
him
. He should be happily
wrapped up in
Gabby’s
arms by now doing what the two
of them do best—screwing people.”

“
Gabby’s
involved in
this?” I was grasping at straws, trying to keep him talking while I made my way
backward across the stage. Hunter had been right all along. Clay was
off—he . . . was crazy. I didn’t know how I’d missed it.

“She saw me slipping something into Jordan’s
drink the night he died. She’s been blackmailing me for a while now. I told her
I’d help her get Hunter if she’d help me get you. We compromised.”