Chapter 9 - Blood on the Floor

Grant stared at the pistol in Vale's hand. The shot had torn through Mara's upper arm. She pressed her palm to the wound, breathing in startled little bursts.

"You shot her," Grant said.

"She was in the way," Vale answered.

Evelyn's first instinct was to rush to Mara. Her second was to keep Daniel alive. The two instincts tore through her like opposing currents.

"Put the gun down!" a woman shouted outside.

"Deputy!" Owen called. "There are four of them!"

Vale pulled Evelyn backward and jammed the pistol near her cheek. "Everyone stays put."

She could smell lake mud on her own sleeves. She could feel Daniel's shaking hand searching for hers. In her life she'd never been angrier than she was right then.

"You gave us those pills," she said calmly to Vale. "You looked me in the eye and called it care."

"Don't speak."

"You were paid to make us helpless."

Grant backed toward the door, empty hands raised. "Simon, this wasn't the plan."

"You don't get to say that anymore," the doctor snapped. "You made a mess of everything."

A deputy's voice came from outside, firmer now. "Dr. Vale, we know you're inside. Release the hostage."

Evelyn turned her head just enough to see Mara inching across the floor. One injured hand pulled her coat aside. Under it was Owen's phone, its shattered screen glowing. The boy had recovered it and handed it to her unnoticed. A red recording icon blinked.

Vale saw the glow too. He aimed down at Mara.

Evelyn slammed her heel against his shin. His grip shifted. Daniel caught his wrist with his good hand. The gun discharged into the ceiling, raining splinters. A deputy charged through the rear door and drove Vale to the floor.

Grant bolted through the front. Owen yelled, "He's going to the SUV!"

Mara sagged against Evelyn. "I recorded it," she whispered. "All of it."

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Evelyn squeezed her shoulder. Outside, an engine roared. A second later came the squeal of tires and a crash against the trees.

Someone screamed Grant's name. But when the deputy reached the wrecked SUV, the driver's door was open and the seat was empty.