AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It was the younger ones that made his heart pound with anticipation. Especially this one. She was special. And the perfect way to get to Frank.
EIGHTY-SIX
The walls were closing in around Frank.
He’d known this day would come, but even so, he wasn’t prepared. All the lies and moves and changes he’d made to keep Lorna Bea safe might backfire in his face.
She was furious with him now for locking her up.
She would hate him if she knew the truth about who he was. What he’d done ten years ago. The real reason they’d been on the run.
His gut had been in knots for weeks now, just thinking about the reunion. The memories flooded him, drowning him just as the flood waters had buried people alive in Widow Lake. The taste of bloodshed, the muddy water and death blended together, a ripe combination of excitement and disgust.
His mother peered at him through her wire-rimmed glasses. “What’s got into you, locking that girl up like that?”
“You want some crazed killer getting your granddaughter?”
“Of course not, but you keep getting harsher and harsher with her. You’re going to drive her away one day.”
“Don’t tell me how to parent,” he said through gritted teeth. “It’s not like you were the perfect mother. Or wife.”
She winced at his statement but forged on with that runaway mouth of hers. “I just want you to let her play, be a normal kid. You’re always picking us up and moving us around.”
He bit the inside of his cheek and tasted blood. He needed the old lady when Lorna Bea was little and couldn’t be left alone. He could do without her now. “If you don’t want to go next time, you can stay,” he snapped. “But I’ll do what’s best for my daughter.”
Nana’s face wilted. “Sometimes you scare me, son. Maybeyouought to go and leave her with me.”
Rage stormed through him and he raised his fist to shut her up. Her eyes widened and she backed away, then tripped over her basket of knitting. He watched her flail, but she caught herself and fell backward into the rocking chair with a groan.
His boots pounded as he walked to his room, opened the closet and then the large metal safe. He checked to make sure everything was intact then removed the gun he’d bought the day he’d run and shoved it in the back of his jeans.
They’d all come here for a reason. He had his own agenda.
It wouldn’t fit into their plans but he wasn’t stupid. He had his insurance.
Tonight, he knew where they’d be. He had business to tend to today though. After all, a man had to make a living.
But he’d make it to their little party later. And then he’d be done with them all for good.
EIGHTY-SEVEN
LAKE HAVEN APARTMENTS
Heat blazed the asphalt parking lot, making it feel like it was over a hundred degrees as Ellie and Derrick rushed up to the apartment building. Shondra’s squad car was parked in front of the main entrance near the manager’s office. Through the window, Ellie spotted Omar Coolidge pacing his office and seemingly arguing with a young blond.
Ellie and Derrick gave a knock, then charged in without waiting for a response.
“He won’t let me inside Sarah’s,” the blond screeched.
“We’ll handle this,” Shondra said to the near-hysterical woman.
Ellie crossed her arms with an eyebrow raise. “Mr. Coolidge, get the key to Ms. Turner’s.”
“I can’t just let you inside without her permission,” Coolidge argued.
“You can and you will,” Shondra said.
“We have warrants,” Ellie snapped. “And right now, we have to make sure she’s okay.”
