Chapter 9 - NO MORE RUNNING
Julia wanted both children in a hotel under police protection.
Thomas refused.
“I’m not making Emily hide because of me.”
Julia knelt in front of him.
“This is not because of you.”
“They want me.”
“They want control.”
“That is not the same thing.”
Emily crossed her arms.
“I’m not leaving Thomas.”
Julia almost laughed despite everything.
“You are seven.”
“I know.”
“And very bossy.”
“I know.”
Thomas smiled for the first time that day.
At midnight, the building fire alarm went off.
Ortiz called instantly.
“Do not leave the unit.”
Smoke pushed under the hallway door.
Julia grabbed wet towels.
Thomas froze.
Emily coughed.
A firefighter pounded on the door.
“Evacuate now!”
Julia looked through the peephole.
The man outside wore a helmet.
But no breathing mask.
Something felt wrong.
“Show me your badge.”
“Ma’am, open the door.”
Thomas whispered, “That’s him.”
Julia turned.
“Who?”
“The man who used to drive Aunt Diane.”
Julia backed away.
The lock suddenly rattled.
Someone had a key.
Thomas grabbed a kitchen chair and jammed it under the handle.
The door slammed inward once.
Twice.
Julia called Ortiz.
“He’s trying to get in.”
“Bedroom window,” Ortiz said.
“There’s a fire ladder.”
Julia moved both children toward the back room.
The apartment door cracked open.
Thomas pushed Emily toward the window.
“Go.”
Julia turned back.
The man forced his shoulder through the gap.
She grabbed a metal lamp and swung.
He cursed.
Sirens screamed outside.
The man fled down the hall.
Police caught him in the stairwell.
His name was Raymond Pike.
Former Mercer security.
Ortiz questioned him for three hours.
At dawn, she called Julia.
“He wants a deal.”
“For what?”
“He says he can prove who ordered Thomas taken from the hospital.”
Julia gripped the phone.
“Grant?”
Ortiz paused.
“No.”
May you like
Then she said a name Julia had not expected.
“Daniel.”
