No Exit by Taylor Adams 2

His eyes hardened. “You peeked into Garver family
business. So I peeked into yours. Answer the question.”
“It’s … just papers.”
“For what?”
“Gravestone rubbings.”
“What’re those?”
“I take … I use crayons to, uh … to take an imprint of
headstones.”
“Why?”
“Because I collect them.”
“Why?”
“I just do.” She hated being studied by him.
“You’re kind of a damaged girl,” Ashley said. “I like it.”
She said nothing.
“And you have a scar over your eyebrow.” He leaned over
the table, inspecting her in the fluorescent light. “That must
have been … what, thirty stitches? It’s only really noticeable
when you furrow your brow. Or smile.”
She stared at the floor.
“Is that why you don’t smile much, Darbs?”
She wanted to cry. She wished it would be over.
“Smile,” he whispered. “You’ll live longer.”
It’s been over a minute.
Where the hell was Ed? Possibilities cycled through her
mind. Maybe he couldn’t find the camping coffee. Maybe he
was sneaking in a drink. Or maybe … maybe he’d detected
some subtle clue, pieced together the kidnapping plot, and now
he was attempting to find cell signal to contact the police right
now? Or, what if Jay cut through the kennel bars and ran to
him? He’d be a second witness. That would give Ashley and
Lars no choice but to start shooting.