Chapter 5 - The Wrong Bargain
Nora's instincts screamed at her to run outside, claw at Grant, do anything. Eli caught her shoulder before she moved.
Tessa had been Nora's friend since sophomore year, when she'd defended her against a teacher who thought grieving kids should simply try harder. She was the one who brought groceries after Eli's funeral and sat through the silence without asking Nora to make it comfortable. Seeing her trapped in that video made Nora's chest feel too small for her heart. Grant knew exactly where to press because she had once given him the map. He had learned the names of everyone she loved, and she had called that attention. Now she knew it had been an inventory.
"Think," he whispered. "He wants me alive. That gives us a minute."
"My best friend doesn't have a minute."
Grant tapped the tablet. Tessa flinched as someone behind the camera yanked back her hair.
"Stop!" Nora yelled. "I'll come. Leave everyone else out."
Grant's face softened in a way that made her stomach turn. "I knew you'd make the right choice."
She went toward him, hands shaking, with Eli behind her. Vale stayed in the shadows. The man beside Grant opened a van door, revealing zip ties and a medical case.
"You brought a doctor?" Nora asked.
"A sedative," Grant corrected. "You've had a hard night."
She slapped him hard enough to turn his head. For half a second, his handsome smile was gone, and she saw something cold underneath.
Eli lunged. Two armed guards forced him to his knees. Grant crouched, touched the scar above Eli's eye, and whispered something Nora couldn't hear.
Then Vale stepped out with his gun raised. "Everybody freezes."
The alley filled with commands and engine noise. Nora saw a guard turn toward Vale. She threw the silver key at his face. It was a stupid move, a tiny move, but it bought just enough time for Vale to fire at a tire and send the men scrambling.
Eli grabbed Nora. They rolled behind a dumpster as shots punched holes in the van. When the smoke thinned, Grant had escaped. So had Frank.
The tablet lay smashed on the ground. On its cracked screen, the video of Tessa kept playing. Nora leaned close. Behind the chair was a painted wall: a bright blue heron.
"I know that bird," she said. "My mother painted it."
May you like
Eli looked at her. "Where?"
"In the basement of the house where she was killed."
