Chapter 13 - The Fire Escape
Nora backed onto the fire escape with Sophie against her chest.
Rain made the metal slick.
Celeste followed.
"You think that baby makes you untouchable?"
"No."
Nora's voice shook.
"I think the police downstairs do."
Sirens screamed around the corner.
Celeste smiled.
"Police arrive after things happen."
She raised the gun.
Alma appeared behind her and threw the skillet.
Again, terrible aim.
It missed Celeste completely and shattered the apartment window.
But Celeste flinched.
Nora moved.
She grabbed Celeste's gun wrist with one hand while holding Sophie with the other.
It was stupid.
There was no graceful technique.
No training.
Just panic, rain, metal stairs, and a newborn screaming between them.
Celeste drove her shoulder into Nora's chest.
Nora nearly lost her footing.
Alma grabbed Celeste's coat from behind.
The fabric ripped.
Celeste turned and struck Alma in the face with the gun.
Alma fell down three steps.
Nora screamed.
Then Detective Rourke came through the broken doorway.
"Drop it!"
Celeste pointed the gun toward her.
Rourke fired.
One shot.
Celeste spun and dropped.
The handgun clattered through the fire escape railing and fell into the alley.
For several seconds, Nora heard only Sophie crying.
Then Daniel crawled to the doorway, one hand pressed to his bleeding side.
He looked at Nora.
"Is she okay?"
Nora knew he meant Sophie.
She did not answer.
Paramedics rushed in.
Celeste had been hit in the shoulder and would live.
Daniel's wound was a graze across his ribs.
Alma had a fractured cheekbone.
Nora had reopened her surgical incision again.
Dr. Hsu was furious.
"Do you plan to heal at any point?"
"It's on my list."
The pocket watch survived.
Inside was microfilm containing the original partnership amendment.
It also contained one more image.
A handwritten note from Peter.
Nora read it twice.
If Daniel ever gives you this willingly, believe that he finally chose you. If he gives it only when cornered, believe the timing instead.
Nora looked across the emergency department at Daniel in police custody.
He had given her the watch only after she refused to save him.
May you like
Peter had known him better than she had.
