Chapter 11 - The Storm Cellar
Richard did not remember deciding to run.
One second he was beside the security desk.
The next he was outside with Officer Brooks and two officers cutting across the east lawn.
Rain had started.
Cold drops struck his face as they entered the trees.
Brooks pointed toward the old maintenance trench. “You stay behind us.”
Richard nodded.
He had no intention of obeying if he heard Maya scream.
They found the storm cellar doors hidden beneath wet leaves.
Locked.
An officer forced them open.
Inside, the air smelled of dirt and old wood.
They moved through the narrow passage with flashlights.
Above them, a thud shook dust from the beams.
Then a woman screamed.
Victoria.
Brooks raised a fist.
Everyone stopped.
A child cried.
Richard whispered, “Maya.”
They reached the bottom of the cottage cellar stairs.
The door above stood partly open.
Marcus’s voice carried down.
“You ruined everything.”
Victoria answered, breathless. “You were going to kill him.”
“He was always going to die.”
Richard’s blood went cold.
“You said we would leave with the money.”
“You believed what I needed you to believe.”
A slap cracked through the room above.
Maya screamed.
Richard moved.
Brooks grabbed his jacket, but he pulled free and charged up the stairs.
He hit the cellar door hard.
Marcus spun.
For one terrible second, Richard saw everything at once.
Victoria on the floor.
Maya crouched behind the sofa.
Marcus near the kitchen, gun in hand.
“Daddy!” Maya screamed.
Marcus raised the weapon.
Richard threw himself behind the wall as a gunshot exploded through the cottage.
Police surged in from both entrances.
“Drop the weapon!”
Marcus fired again.
Glass shattered.
Victoria crawled toward Maya.
Marcus grabbed her by the back of her gown and pulled her up as a shield.
“Back off!”
Brooks aimed carefully. “Put it down, Marcus.”
He laughed.
Then Maya did something no one expected.
She stood up behind the sofa.
Her stuffed rabbit was clutched in one hand.
“Bad man!” she yelled.
Marcus turned his head.
May you like
It was only a second.
But it was enough.
