“I’ll decide what I need.”
At the Eddington’s one-story house, Nance instructed me to pull into the driveway. No other cars were there. Surprising. No gathering of family?
We all piled out and headed for the front door. Nance kept the gun in her hand. Emily and I exchanged long glances. This was it, and we both knew it. Once Nance had the encryption key, why should she let any of us live?
“Whose house is this?” Mom gripped my hand. She looked haggard and ancient, fear in every movement.
I pulled her close. “It’s okay, Mom.”
Nance rapped hard on the door—a law enforcement knock. “Sheriff’s Department!”
The door opened quickly. Ashley Eddington, red-eyed and worn, blinked at the sight of four of us. Her gaze took in our clothes, as if seeking a uniform. Nance fished her badge from her pocket. “Plainclothes.”
Ashley focused on her. “How’d you get here so fast?”
What?
Her gaze shifted to me—and snagged there. She pulled her head back, shock, then anger flattening her expression. “You.”
I shook my head.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got her.” Nance gestured toward her gun. “Sorry to bring her to your house, but I just apprehended her, and there’s no time.”
Ashley stood rooted to the floor, one hand still on the knob. Hard breaths made her shoulders rise and fall. “Get her out of here! I’ll kill her!”
She rushed me.
I jumped to one side, trying to protect Mom. Ashley collided into my shoulder. Guttural cries spilled out of her. She pummeled my neck, my head. I threw up my arms. Emily yanked Ashley back. Nance yelled, “Hold it, hold it!”
Mom wailed.
Emily held Ashley fast. I melted toward the porch wall, palms up. “I didn’t kill your husband!”
“Shut up, shut up!” Nance jumped between us, fury flaming her cheeks. Everyone froze. “Get inside right now, all of you!”
Ashley jerked out of Emily’s grasp. “Put your gun away first. My daughter’s in the house.”
“And let them get away?” Nance glared at her.
Ashley backed down, tears in her eyes.
I reached for my mother. “Ashley, I didn’t kill—”
“Shut up.” Nance pushed me. “Get inside.”
I stumbled into the house, Mom in tow. She hit her foot on the threshold and cried out. Emily caught her before she fell.
Ashley snarled at me. “How could you do this to your mother?”
The words tore through me.
Nance slammed the door. We stood in a small living room, not far from a kitchen. The curtains were closed, the room dim. “Ashley,” Nance spoke quickly, with authority, “I need to look at your daughter’s stuffed dog, Rawly. No time to explain.”
“I already told you all there’s nothing there.”
Nance’s eyes narrowed. “Told who?”
“Sergeant Wade. He called.”
Emily and I exchanged a look. My daughter held her Grand protectively.
Surprise flicked across Nance’s face. “Let me see it anyway.”
Ashley shook her head. “Kate’s sleeping with it. Rawly’s her favorite toy. Her dad gave it to her.”
“I need it.” Nance bit off the words.
Ashley eyed her, disgust filling her face. “What kind of deputy are you?”
“She’s with the terrorists who killed your husband!” Emily spat the words.
Nance whirled on Emily. “You wanna die right here?” She grabbed Mom’s arm and jerked her away from Emily. Nance’s left arm wound around Mom’s chest, holding her tight. She jammed the gun into Mom’s temple.
The rest of us froze.
Mom’s eyes darted from me to Emily, her mouth open.
I brought up my hands. “Mom.” I spoke with a calm I didn’t have. “Don’t move.”
Nance held her fast. “Ashley. Get the toy.”
Ashley swallowed, her eyes round. “Who are you?”
“Get it, please.” My voice shook. “She’ll kill us all. Just like they killed your husband and Morton Leringer.”
I glanced at Emily. She shook with anger, fingers curling into her palms.
Ashley’s face whitened. “Don’t hurt my daughter.”
“I won’t,” Nance hissed, “if you get me the dog.”
Ashley turned on her heel and left the room. Her footsteps sounded against hardwood floor.
Nance dragged Mom back a few feet, her eyes on the two of us.
Mom’s breath came in spurts. Her wrinkled hands were around Nance’s arm, her toes pointed outward like a splayed doll. If my mother lived through this, what would it do to her fragile mind?
Rage bounced around inside of me. “Hang on, Mom. Just a minute longer.”