Chapter 7 - The Shovel Was Not for Snow
Ethan pulled the strap until Megan’s back struck the tree.
Her ribs screamed.
The world blurred.
She forced herself to remain conscious.
Lorraine opened the duffel.
Beneath the blankets lay the folding shovel and a plastic evidence bag.
Inside the bag were Megan’s dog tags.
Her old prescription bottle.
A half-empty flask.
Ethan planned to place them near the ravine.
The story would be simple.
A traumatized veteran mixed medication with alcohol.
She wandered into a blizzard.
She became disoriented.
She fell.
The shovel was for covering tire tracks and disturbing the snow around the scene.
Lorraine held up the flask.
“People believe damaged soldiers eventually break.”
Megan’s eyes hardened.
“You practiced that line?”
Lorraine slapped the flask against her palm.
“You should have stayed deployed.”
Ethan tightened the strap again.
Rex snapped toward his sleeve.
Megan stopped him.
“Stay.”
The dog obeyed.
Ethan laughed.
“Still giving orders.”
Megan stared at him.
“You always hated that.”
His expression shifted.
There it was.
The real wound beneath the money.
Ethan had admired Megan when they met.
Then her rank increased.
Her reputation grew.
People listened when she entered rooms.
Ethan’s contracting business failed twice.
Megan used her savings to cover the mortgage.
He told friends he supported her career.
At home, he resented every salute, medal, and call from senior officers.
Lorraine fed that resentment.
“She made you small,” she told him repeatedly.
Megan had heard the phrase once during an argument.
Now she understood what it became.
Ethan leaned close.
“You came home expecting everyone to worship you.”
“I came home expecting my husband not to murder me.”
His jaw tightened.
Lorraine looked toward the SUV.
“We’re wasting time.”
Ethan released the strap.
Megan remained pinned.
He began walking away.
Lorraine took one final step toward Megan.
“She won’t last the night.”
Then Megan tapped the tree twice.
Rex moved.
The dog disappeared behind the trunk and found the knot.
The fibers began loosening beneath his teeth.
Megan watched Ethan’s back.
She needed three more minutes.
Maybe less.
Then Lorraine saw the strap move.
May you like
She grabbed the shovel.
👉 Rex understood the command perfectly—but one wrong bite could tighten the strap and crush Megan’s damaged ribs.
