THE PERFECT TEN (Boxed Set)

“How could you? I thought you were my friend.”
    “Kasey, get out of the way.”
    She didn’t budge. “He told me you took Jake.”
    Scott scoffed and looked at Kasey. “And you believe that? Kasey, Jeremy was behind your son’s disappearance. Nick’s death, too.” He nodded to Jeremy. “Isn’t that right?”
    Kasey turned to Jeremy.
    “I’d have been a good Dad to Jake. Before Nick. You know. I would’ve married you and taken care of Jake. Raised him like my own. Like Nick did. I’d have been there for you. Nick’s gone. But I’m not. You know I love, Jake. Right?”
    Jeremy raised his gun towards Scott.
    Scott steadied his aim. “Don’t do anything stupid.”
    “Go sit down, Kasey.” Jeremy’s hand shook.
    She stepped out of range. “What’s going on? Who is taking me to Jake?”
    “ Sit! ” Jeremy yelled. “ Now! ”
    She dropped to the floor right where she was.
    “ No! ” He shouted, then waved the gun at her. “In there.” He motioned her toward the living room.
    She walked backward, afraid to turn her back on him.
    His voice rose. “This isn’t how I planned it.”
    She backed into the living room. “Planned what? Jeremy. Tell me you didn’t take Jake.”
    He rocked from side to side. “He’s going to tell you, but it’s not how it looks.” Jeremy blew out several small breaths in a row, then cocked the hammer.
    “Whoa!” She took a step back. “No. Wait. You don’t want to do this. We’re like family, and whatever you think Scott has done.... You killing him isn’t going to better for anyone.”
    “Drop it,” Scott ordered.
    “Don’t. Both of y’all, stop!” Kasey screamed.
    “Family,” Jeremy said, nodding his head, and then he began to cry. “Jake should’ve been mine.”
    “He’s not your child. You know that.”
    “He wasn’t Nick’s but you let him be. I’ve always loved you, Kasey. Nick had already taken you from me. Then he...he wanted to take you away.” His hand shook.
    “Put the gun down.” Scott commanded.
    “Whatever you did, it can’t be as bad as you think.” She glanced at the end table. There wasn’t much on it—a magazine, an old horseshoe and a coaster. She dipped and wrapped her fingers around the rusty antique horseshoe. It was heavy in her hand.
    Jeremy wiped the sweat from his eyes. “I never meant to hurt you. I love you.” His eyes turned dark. He raised the gun towards his own head. It shook in his hand. “The pictures. I sent them.”
    “Kasey, let me handle this,” Scott said. She raised a hand and gave Scott a begging look. He nodded.
    “A woman sent the pictures.” Kasey paused, trying to regain control of her emotions and voice. Smooth and soothing—stay calm and he will.
    “Me.” Pain twisted in Jeremy’s face. “I set that up. You said you wanted to know Jake was alive. I wanted you to....” He wiped his face with his sleeve—the gun flailed. “You needed to feel hope. I wanted you to have hope. I never meant this to go so wrong. All I ever wanted was to be in your life.”
    She squeezed the horseshoe, praying she wouldn’t drop it.
    He leveled his gaze on Kasey. “I didn’t want him to move you away. I only meant to scare him.”
    A loud clunk came from down the hall. Jeremy spun toward the noise. Kasey hurled the horseshoe. It flew across the room like a Frisbee. She dove behind the couch and crouched low to the floor.
    Jeremy turned just as the horseshoe made contact with his face. He yowled, and a string of expletives followed.
    Kasey peered over the couch. Blood dripped down his arms. She must’ve hit him square in the nose. Even with his hands to his face, there was a lot of blood already.
    Jeremy stumbled toward her, and the gun went off again.
     

 
    Chapter Thirty-Nine
     
    Jeremy spun to face Scott. Blood gushed from his nose and mouth, but the gun remained steady in his grip.
    “Drop the gun.” Scott said as he stepped closer. He reached up and keyed the mic at his collar. “This is Calvin. I need EMTs on the scene, and backup.”
    Jeremy wavered. He looked over his shoulder at Kasey. She saw the confusion on his face. The darkness in his eyes. He swallowed and turned back to Scott.
    Her heart pounded in her throat. “No, Jeremy. Drop it.” Her feet wouldn’t move. She sank back against the wall, her mouth and eyes wide. “Don’t do it.”
    Jeremy spun her way.
    “No!” Kasey held her hands out defensively. “Please. Listen to me.”
    The gun dropped to the