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She was about to give up hope that she’d have a chance to fulfill her contract when the door opened and Michael Bennett stood outlined by the sunlight.
Chapter 86
I don’t know if I’d ever felt this kind of pure panic. Seeing my daughter with a gun to her head made me sick to my stomach. Literally. But vomiting wasn’t an option. That wouldn’t help anyone.
I had my gun up as I sprinted into the fatal funnel of the doorway. This is where cops are most likely to be shot. Outlined by bright light. I slipped into the corner near the door. It was dark, and I took a moment to let my eyes adjust.
I also had to let my breathing calm down. If I had to shoot, it might be a tight shot past Juliana. What a nightmare.
The woman continued to walk backward, dragging Juliana along with her. My daughter’s eyes showed the terror she felt, but she wasn’t crippled by fear. Seeing her like that almost crippled me.
I wasn’t sure where this dark hallway led, but I didn’t intend to let them get to the end of it.
Now I crept along the wall with my gun up in front of me and saw them again. The woman stopped, and I saw Juliana’s face clearly. She was terrified. So was I.
I made a decision, planted my feet, and took aim. As I let out my breath and focused over the front sight, I saw the woman’s dark eyes. We were fairly close, maybe twenty feet apart. I shut out every distraction: my pounding heart, the sweat in my eyes, my shaky hands, and the noise from the set.
Then the woman spoke. She said, “Get back. Lower your weapon or I’ll pull the trigger.”
It wasn’t just what she said; it was how she said it. She wasn’t panicked. Not ranting. She was calm. Professional. I had no choice.
I’d never surrender my gun, but I lowered it slightly. I couldn’t risk her harming my Juliana. I kept the gun in the low, ready position so I could pop it back on target quickly if I needed to.
I was trying to buy time. I knew that if Seamus and Father Alonzo were inside the building someone had called 911. The cavalry would be here soon.
I could feel a tremor in my arm, and it scared me. No parent could ever imagine being in a position like this.
The woman said, “Stay there,” in the same professional tone. Then she began backing away.
I let her go. All I wanted was Juliana safe. I watched as they reached the next door down the dark hallway. The woman eased the gun away from Juliana’s head slightly.
I felt a flicker of hope.
Then they were through the door and out of sight.
I had to get back to Juliana.
Chapter 87
Alex had a good grip on the girl as they slipped through the next door in the corridor and let it slam shut. At least she had something solid between her and Bennett. She could feel the girl trembling.
Alex’s face throbbed where the girl had elbowed her. But she was unharmed, had the right position, and was prepared to act. That gave her the confidence to think she’d be able to escape. She’d worry about Bennett another day.
She considered her options. Take the girl with her as a hostage, forget the girl and run, or kill the girl and leave her body to distract her father.
Almost immediately she ruled out the third option. She didn’t kill for enjoyment or to be vindictive. She killed for money.
Just as Alex was about to turn around so she could move faster, the door they had just come through burst open, and Michael Bennett stood there with the gun still in his hand. This guy never gave up.
Alex yelled, “Stop.”
&n
bsp; She liked that the cop froze in place.
Then she said, “Put your gun on the floor.” He didn’t move. Even his eyes didn’t give away his intentions.
Alex sweetened the pot. “Put your gun on the floor and I swear to God I’ll release your daughter.”
