3 Lies Read Online Free Page B

sounds. “Are you all right?”
    A black, womanly face lifted. “Yeah.” The woman wiped her eyes. “You?”
    “I think so.”
    “I’m Vonda. Vonda Creevy. Sorry, I didn’t know you were awake.”
    “I’m Beth Sutton. Any idea why we’re here?”
    “Money.” She pushed back her short locks. “They forced me to write my own ransom letter to my husband.”
    Her Mom and Dad. Clint. Did they know she was missing? Blake Sutton was technically a step—but the only father she’d ever known. “I guess my turn will come.”
    Whatever drug was used on Beth, its effect was mostly gone. A milder dizziness returned, and she leaned back to rest and observe. Any light that might have come from the narrow windows was blacked-out with paint. A small table and an ottoman sat on the only open floor space between the bathroom door on the left—what Clint would call the ‘head’—and the door leading out on the right. Two smoke detectors graced the ceiling and four sconce lamps decorated the walls. The rest of the room was a giant bed.
    “Okay.” Vonda took a deep pull of air. “I’m finished with my pity party. Let’s try and figure a way out of this if we can.”
    Vonda was small, her body slim with full even features. Beth placed her somewhere in her early fifties. She filled out her sweats better than many women half her age.
    “I know we’re on a boat. But whose?”
    “I’ve seen three different men. Each wears a different color ski mask. Blue, red, and black. Blue-Mask was just here,” said Vonda.
    “We met on my front porch. What day is it?"
    “I’m pretty sure it’s Tuesday. You’ve been here a few hours.”
    “Then we might still be close to Boston.”
    “Boston?” The notion clearly alarmed Vonda.
    “Where are you from?”
    “Sausalito.”
    “How long have you been here?”
    “They picked me up Monday evening.” She clasped her hands under her chin. “Roger must be worried sick.” Her attention fell back to Beth. “What about you?”
    “I’m not sure anyone knows I’m missing.” She thought about Clint. “I’m not married.”
    “What do you do in Boston?”
    “I’m a writer. Non-fiction feeds me, but I like to write scary stories.” The women shared a glance. “Ironic, huh?”
    A small man entered the cabin door carrying a food tray. He left it on the table. A black mask covered his face, but his dark eyes held onto Beth’s gaze, his thick lashes lowering in acknowledgement of the moment. Beth looked away.
    “Are you feeling any ill effects?” He walked over to her. A pistol sat on his hip.
    “Who are you? Why was I brought here?”
    He clasped the back of her neck. “You are a woman of uncommon beauty.” His fingers sought her skin beneath the mass of hair. “I can give you favors. As can you for me.”
    A shudder quickened through her.
    “Leave her alone, you pig.”
    He waved the gun at Vonda. “You, Madam, need to mind your own business.”
    The blue-masked man stepped into the room, a satchel hung from his broad shoulder. “Is there a problem?” He glared at the other man as if contention were common.
    Black-Mask’s smile, for Beth only, swelled until his teeth were fully bared. He turned to his cohort. “The lady and I were just discussing the rules of her visit, such as they are. All of our guests must be informed.”
    “We all have rules we must obey.” Blue-Mask let his words settle. “You are wanted elsewhere.”
    While staring at Beth, Black-Mask touched his right index finger to his nose and left the room.
    “Has he hurt you in any way?” Blue-Mask’s eyes showed genuine concern, and he spoke as if giving his professional opinion on a legal matter, investments, taxes, or insurance.
    She remembered his eyes from the morning. “He didn’t kidnap me. Or shoot me full of drugs.”
    Blue-Mask’s expression did not change. “He is a pig, but you are not to be harmed if you are obedient. For your sake, and for the sake of the others, I sincerely hope