Chapter 14 - THE SAFE HOUSE
The cabin stood deep in the Adirondacks.
No cell signal.
No road signs.
Only a dirt track and the sound of wind in the pines.
William had bought the property years earlier under a shell company.
Only three people knew its location.
Emma, William, and Miller.
Ethan slept in the loft with the puppy at his feet.
Downstairs Emma cleaned a second pistol while William checked the perimeter cameras.
“I hate this,” William said.
“Hiding.”
Emma loaded a magazine with practiced ease.
“Better than burying him.”
William watched her hands.
“You’ve changed.”
“I had to.”
A soft chime sounded from the laptop on the table.
One of the perimeter sensors.
Motion.
Two hundred yards out.
Emma was already on her feet.
She killed the lights.
William moved to the loft ladder.
“Stay with Ethan.”
Emma shook her head.
“You stay. I know how these people move.”
She slipped out the back door into the dark trees.
The night air was cold and sharp.
She moved without sound.
Fifty yards from the cabin a figure crouched near a pine trunk.
Night-vision goggles.
Rifle.
Emma circled wide.
She came up behind the figure and pressed the pistol to the base of the skull.
“Drop it.”
The figure froze.
Then a woman’s voice, low and familiar.
“Easy, Emma. It’s me.”
Detective Miller’s partner, Lieutenant Reyes.
Emma did not lower the gun.
“Why are you here?”
Reyes raised both hands slowly.
“Miller sent me. We have a problem.”
“Talk.”
“Isabella didn’t run. She’s in Manhattan. And she just filed emergency guardianship papers. Claiming William is an unfit parent. The hearing is tomorrow morning. If you don’t appear, the court can grant her temporary custody of Ethan.”
Emma’s finger tightened on the trigger for half a second.
Then she lowered the weapon.
“How long do we have?”
May you like
Reyes checked her watch.
“Fourteen hours.”
