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Tori sputtered a laugh. “You left a trail of dead bodies, then you disappeared, taking Honor and Emily with you. Stan has a right to be more than a little concerned, don’t you think?”
“Coburn didn’t murder those men in the warehouse,” Honor said. “And he didn’t take Emily and me by force.”
Tori shifted her gaze from one to the other and said drolly, “I sorta gathered that.” Then, placing her hands on her hips and glancing down at her disassembled phone, she asked, “So, what gives?”
“The fact is that he’s—”
“No.” He put his hand on Honor’s arm to stop her from revealing his identity. “The only thing she needs to know is that you and Emily must stay underground until all this shakes out.”
“She deserves an explanation,” Honor argued.
“You said she would help with no questions asked.”
“I know that’s what I said. But it’s unfair to let her go on thinking that you—”
“I don’t give a damn what she thinks.”
“Well, I do. She thinks you’re a killer.”
“I am.”
“Yes, but—”
“Excuse me.” Tori held her raised hand palm out to stop Honor from continuing, but it was Coburn she addressed. “Keep your secrets. I’ve already volunteered my services.” Then she said to Honor, “Emily isn’t afraid of him, and kids are supposed to be good gauges of someone’s character. Like dogs.”
“Emily is four. She’s infatuated because he’s a novelty.”
“Yeah, well, I trust her instincts. Possibly even more than I do yours. In any case, you summoned me, and I’m here. Tell me what you want me to do.”
“Get them away from Tambour,” Coburn said before Honor could speak. “Right now. Don’t stop for anything, don’t return home, don’t tell anybody that you’re going. Can you do that?”
“Of course. Where do you have in mind?”
“I don’t.” He looked at Honor, who shook her head.
“My dad’s shrimp boat was my only ace.”
Tori said, “I own a house on the far side of Lake Pontchartrain. Across the bridge. Would that do?”
“Who knows about it?” Coburn asked.
“Husband number two. I got it from him in the divorce settlement. The house in exchange for me keeping quiet about his… Never mind. It turned ugly. Anyway, the only reason I wanted the house was to spite the jerk. I don’t use it on a regular basis, I don’t even like it that much. It’s been months since I was there.”
Honor was listening to them, but she was watching Emily, who was still wearing the clothes in which Honor had hastily dressed her yesterday morning before fleeing their house. Her hair was unbrushed. There
was a patch of dirt on her knee and a tear in the armhole of her top. Meals had been irregular and not very tasty. She’d slept in an uncomfortable, smelly bunk.
Yet she seemed perfectly content and carefree, heartbreakingly innocent of the seriousness of their situation. She’d found a stick and was humming happily as she used the tip of it to etch patterns in the mud.
“She’ll need some things,” Honor remarked.
“We’ll get whatever she needs.” Tori gave Honor’s arm a reassuring pat. “No one is looking for me. I’ll take care of everything.” To Coburn, she added, “But I’ll wait until we’re almost there before I stop to shop.”
“As of now, you can’t use credit cards. Do you have plenty of cash?”
“I have some,” Honor reminded him.
“Money is one thing we don’t have to worry about,” Tori said. “I can get what I need. All I have to do is ask.”
