Razor's Edge by Shannon K. Butcher Read Free Book Online Page B

behind her.
    Jordyn turned and saw the woman who’d spoken. She was plump and had a kind, grandmotherly face like some of the characters Jordyn had seen on TV. Reading glasses hung on a beaded chain around her neck, and her arms were full of books. Her expression was filled with worry, making Jordyn realize she hadn’t done a thing to straighten her own appearance in three days. She was probably a total wreck.
    â€œI need to use a computer.”
    The librarian glanced at the only three PCs available. A kid sat at each one. “I’m sorry, but they’re in use. Have a seat and I’ll get you the list so you can put your name on it.”
    Defeat beat at Jordyn, making her head pound harder. She pulled in a deep breath and tried to keep her voice from shaking. “I can’t wait. I’m in a hurry.”
    The older woman frowned. “Are you okay? You don’t look so good. Let me call someone to check you out.”
    â€œI just need a computer for two minutes. It’s important.”
    The woman must have taken pity on her. She lowered her voice and said, “You can use the one behind the counter, but then I have to insist that you sit down for a few minutes, okay?”
    Jordyn nodded and sat. She’d agree to just about anything if it got her the Internet access she needed.
    â€œDo you have a library card?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œYou have to have a card to use the equipment. I’ll go get the paperwork from the back room. Stay right here, okay?”
    Jordyn doubted that was what the woman was going to do. There was too much worry in her expression—too much suspicion. Chances were the librarian was going to the back to use a phone to call the police.
    Rather than argue, Jordyn nodded and hoped she looked compliant.
    As soon as the woman was out of eyesight, Jordyn bolted behind the counter to use the only available PC. The librarian had left without implementing any security procedures, leaving open the Web site she’d been using to shop for shoes.
    Her e-mail program was also open.
    Jordyn didn’t question her good fortune or the woman’s lack of caution. She used the librarian’s e-mail account to send the message. She deleted all traces that the message had been sent, then hurried outside on shaking legs.
    She had fifteen minutes to make a twenty-minute drive before the loophole she’d put in the security system closed and she was locked out of the compound. If she wasn’t back by then, her mother would know what she’d done, and she’d be right back in the white room before the day was over.
    As weak as she was, Jordyn didn’t think she’d survive a second punishment.

Chapter Four
    R azor was in trouble. The fact that she couldn’t seem to see it, or preferred denial didn’t sit well with Tanner.
    He spent the next three hours stewing while they cleaned up the carnage left behind. The more he saw, the angrier he got. There was thousands of dollars in damage, and just sweeping up the broken glass wasn’t going to cut it. Much of the carpet in the house was ruined. Some of the hardwood floors were gouged, as if someone had tried to pry them up. The drywall in several rooms had been bashed in and pulled away from the studs.
    Part of him was convinced this act had been motivated by revenge—the kind a pissed-off ex-boyfriend and his buddies might commit if they got drunk enough. But the rest of him questioned that. Not only had furniture and walls been destroyed, but the destruction had continued. If someone wanted to ruin a mattress, slashing it was enough. They didn’t also have to gut it.
    Unless they were looking for something.
    Over and over, he saw signs that whoever had done this had ripped up floorboards and torn down walls in search of something.
    He thought about bringing it up with Razor, but she seemed to wilt before his eyes as she moved from room to room, repairing the damage she