"Why do I have to die? Why even bother to tell me any of this?"
"Why not? The attack helped, but just to make sure smart Charlie heads back to Hawaii and doesn't decide to stay here, something drastic needs to happen. He did resign right before a huge promotion which tells me you must be one hell of a fuck. So I take you out of the picture. Your death makes everything so simple and ties up the last little loose end."
"This is World's End." Christine glanced around taking in the well-known area. "It's a seven hundred foot drop off the cliff. Are you planning to push me?"
"Um, hadn't considered it, but good idea, less messy." The car pulled off the side of the road and stopped as the keys were removed. "Get out and stand by the hood."
"What if I say no?" Christine blinked as the gun whipped out and came to her head.
"A gunshot wound to the head is a very effective life ender. Try to run and I just have to aim. You won't get far, not with a sling. You can choose the gunshot or the jump over the cliff."
Christine took a deep breath and shook her head. If she left the car before help arrived, she'd die. So she sat still and refused to move. "Neither."
"Funny. I'd love to share a few more laughs with you, but I've wasted enough time."
"No one will believe I just jumped off or shot myself." Christine tried reason. "Jim is in custody. I've been cleared. Why would I take my own life when everything is going so well?"
"There's a note saying Charlie resigned, and it's your fault."
"But I never wrote or typed any note. I only became aware Charlie resigned a bit ago." Stall as long as possible. Christine pushed at her hair and bent over as far as she could in the seat. "I think I'm going to be sick."
"Great. Puke out the door as we're walking around to the front. And about the note, who do you think signed your name to those duplicate invoices? I'm familiar with your handwriting so no one will doubt this note, not even Charlie. Move it."
Christine moaned. "I don't feel well."
"Cut the crap and make your choice."
So Christine did.
***
Charlie stomped on the gas pedal, leaned on the horn, and prayed. Beside him Adam whistled low. "Mom never mentioned NASCAR in your background."
"There isn't. We just have to get to her before that monster hurts her." Charlie made the turn on two wheels and threw Adam against the window. "Sorry."
"No worries. Mom can take care of herself and hold her own until we get there." Adam gripped the dashboard. "Good thing I came by to visit so you could hijack my car and ride to her rescue though."
"I didn't hijack your car. You offered it, sort of." Charlie passed a semi on a double line and swerved back into the correct lane just as a dump truck roared toward them, earning a curse from Adam.
"Yeah, I loved the choices. Move over or get out." Adam cleared his throat. "Mom's okay. She's strong and she's tough."
"You heard the conversation." Brilliant woman, his Christine, activating her cell phone so her abduction could clearly be heard. He'd never tease her about being technology challenged again. "There's a gun mentioned and then the phone just shut off. If we're too late, I'll never forgive myself."
"We won't be." Adam's knuckles were white, his voice strained. "Here, right up there where..."
"All the ambulances and police cars are." Charlie slammed on the brakes, threw it in park, yanked open the door, and ran. He shoved through person after person, noticing too many people standing beside what looked like a sheer cliff. No. Oh God, please, please no. He didn't see Christine, couldn't find her.
"Kale." And there she sat in the back of an ambulance with an ice pack on her face. "I'm all right. Tell them I don't need the hospital."
Charlie took her hand, kissed her fingers, and breathed her in. Oh thank God. Her left eye was already swollen with black and greenish bruises around the ice pack. She'd have a matching set, though he wouldn't mention it now. "So, how's the other girl?"
"Kathy? She's over there somewhere. I kicked her in the stomach, and she hit me in the face. Oh, and I think the car door slammed on her hand and broke it. I dunno when." Christine waved her fingers absently.
"She used the moves I taught her." Marsha grinned like a proud parent as she strolled over to them. "The first kick confused and disoriented Kathy, allowing Christine to get out of the car. Kathy followed her so Christine slammed the car door on her which bought her more time until we got here. By the way, thanks for the call, Charlie."
"Thank Adam here. He let me borrow his cell phone so I didn't need to disconnect with Christine." Charlie stroked her hair. Thank God. He'd never waste another moment again. She could have all the time she wanted to adjust to marrying him as long as he could keep her in his sight.
"Borrow. I do love how you interpret things." Adam nodded at Marsha and bent down to see his mom. "Hey."