o the back of Bertrand's right hand

down the porch steps. He landed on his knees on the last step, cradling

orch and planted himself in

ng down at Bertrand without a trace of sympathy. Bertrand, clutc

age mute! How d

, the steel ball aimed right between Bertrand's eyebro

on Kahlil's solid forearm. Kahlil's taut muscles relaxed

," Alexis said, her voice freezing. "Take one more

feet, pushed his crooked glasses up his n

ng to the town sheriff's offi

ack Chevrolet SUVs sped toward the gate, tires crunching over gravel, kickin

, Arthur Tucker, stepped out in a striped suit, sweating profusely. He

t two, dark gray tactical jacket, broad shoulders, narrow waist, black crew cut, jawline shar

scraping to this young man, and

tion Lloyd. The man she had been entangled with in the basement in

own the surge in her chest. Why had he

erceptibly, and landed on Alexis. In the depths of his eyes,

rrying him up the steps with suffoca