Sample Chapter For THE BLOODY KNIFE by Loretta Jackson & Vickie Britton

Tami uncovers a secret about the leader of The Dragons...if she lives long enough to tell what she knows.

Tami blinked as she stepped from the sprawling mall into the bright sunlight. Out of sheer boredom, she had walked the almost four miles from the ranch to the shopping center on the outskirts of Wilmount. Renata, her best friend, had opted to stay home and shampoo her hair for tonight’s party, so Tami had set off alone. She halted with uncertainty in the parking lot, dreading the long, dreary distance she must cover on foot. For once, she was glad this trip had been a bust—at least she didn’t have to lug any heavy packages.

She glanced around, looking for some of her crowd from high school, hoping to catch a ride with someone she knew. Seeing no familiar faces, she ambled through the stifling heat, past the convenience stores and fast food chains that lined the outer edge of town toward the rain-swollen banks of the Blackfoot River.

The mugginess, caused by yesterday’s rain, prompted her to take the shortcut. The deserted, dirt road that linked the two highways would save about a half-mile. The furnace-like heat penetrated the shade of drooping branches and slowed her steps; she should have listened to Renata and stayed home. But why? Mom and Dad had left early this morning to spend the day with Aunt Carrie.

The heavy stillness was broken by a sudden blast of music. With a start Tami turned, recognizing Rafe Sheridan’s black Trans Am. Speeding wheels left trails of dust as the car rounded a sharp curve and headed toward her.

Rafe belonged to the worst gang in school. They called themselves The Dragons—not very inventive, but extremely scary to the kids from Wilmount High.

Tami had a special reason to fear them, especially the leader, Chuck Filbert. She had seen Chuck Friday after school, brandishing a switchblade knife etched with a strange, dragon insignia. She shuddered as she thought of the knife handle, the dragon’s eyes red like tiny drops of blood. The knife matched the description of the one used a week ago in the robbery of Brian’s Texaco. The attendant had suffered serious injuries from the cruel attack. He had been flown to the medical center in Missoula where he still lingered between life and death.

Tami had talked it over with her friend, Renata, who had told her she couldn’t do anything but keep silent. But Tami wasn’t sure she could do that, even though doing otherwise would mean a sacrifice of her own safety.

Tami’s heart sank. At least Rafe wasn’t accompanied by Chuck Filbert or any of his other scummy friends. She glimpsed him through the glare of the windshield, a wavering of strong features, a contrast of penetrating blue eyes and dark hair. Despite his good looks, despite the way he often lingered beside her locker, she had always been quick to avoid him. Even though at times she had been tempted to believe he was different from his friends, for he never tried to act tough, disrespectful, or angry.

She held her breath as the car screeched to a stop a few feet from her. Rafe sprang agilely from the front seat. For the first time she noted the width of his powerful shoulders, the muscles that bulged from strong, sun-tanned arms.

His following her had been deliberate. In this total isolation she would never be able to escape from him.

“You shouldn’t be out here alone,” he said. Nothing taunting in his words. He never tried to emulate Chuck, the way the other guys did. “Jump in. I’ll drive you home.”

Even if he did intend to take her to the ranch, the two of them would be alone. She found herself edging back toward the thick growth of pines and cottonwoods. “No, thanks. I came out for the exercise.”

Rafe brushed back the strands of straight, damp hair that clung to his forehead. “In this heat?” He stepped closer. “No, for your own good, I’m going to have to insist that you come with me.”

He opened the door for her. As his hand closed around her arm, she felt a compulsion to break free, to run…but how far could she get? It must be a mile to the Miller’s, the closest residence. She had no chance of getting away from him. Best to play along, to pretend she was not afraid.

She sat tensely in the seat beside him, one hand tight on the door handle as he started the engine.

“I know where you live.” His words rose above the loud beat of some heavy metal band on the radio.

But Mom and Dad weren’t home, she thought with panic. She couldn’t let him take her to an empty house. “I’m not going there,” she said quickly. “You can drop me off at my friend’s house. Renata’s.”

He gave a brief nod. “I know where that is, too.”

The moment he jerked the car into gear a creepy feeling washed over her. He seemed like a total stranger, not a bit like the boy who had rather shyly asked her out, a date she had very adamantly declined.

He clicked off the music with an irritable snap. In the awful stillness, Tami knew that something was dreadfully wrong.

She had heard all about The Dragons, about their drugs and wild parties. Renata, like some of the other girls attracted to danger, often raved about Chuck Filbert’s movie star good looks. True, he was handsome, with sun-streaked hair and blunt, regular features. But something about him, a look of cold defiance, the turn of full lips, spoiled his appeal. Renata knew all of the stories, too, about Chuck’s many run-ins with the police, and Rafe was doubtlessly just like him.

Rafe was staring at her. She felt afraid to meet his gaze, afraid that she would see eyes, too bright, too blue, pupils oddly dilated, irises shimmering like cut glass.

“You should be afraid,” he said slowly, his tone threatening.

Before Tami could reply, Rafe jammed his foot hard against the gas pedal. She held on to the dash, thinking that at any moment the car would careen over the steep shoulder and roll.

Had he been taking drugs? She glanced around but saw no telltale baggie of white powder or anything that looked like drug paraphernalia. That led her to believe he was just plain crazy. Maybe he was trying to get even with her for rejecting his attentions at school. Why had she ever gotten into this car? Whatever was going to take place might just as well have happened back there where she had at least some chance of getting away.

Rafe would be forced to slow for the sharp turn ahead. If she timed it just right…just as she grabbed for the handle, the sound of the automatic lock clicked. In vain, she fumbled with the door, but it would not open.