hal

could hardly catch her breath. The cold gleam of the metal, the girl's panicked stare and Clara's unre

still raised in surrender. "Whatev

her voice sharp with bitterness from years of

d the gun

pulled him tightly

, whether from fear or emotion, Elena couldn't tell. "But I ne

u?" Elena gestured slowly with her gesture, protecting her son. "You

ed up to her mother, confused. "Mommy. I'm sca

speaking slowly, calmly, softly. "She's watc

r fingers twitched. The g

d trust his own breath, the front porch

ck to attention

move. Neithe

-- it was from a car that had come down the

coat. Confident large step

se under her breath.

its way quickl

Paul. "All of you!" Elena glanced at Paul quickly - thi

ront door

about him. He was paralyzed, even with the gun in his face,

it down. You weren't

widened. "Wa

ce. They were slipping away - she

it worse," the str

to Paul

only one hidi

hat followed

ou?" Paul asked, an

aid "Federal." But not police. Someth

a family in danger... you have your family that is a part of a more complica

d further aw

turned bac

l her or

face wa

t was shaking now. "They were supp

. "And you broke cod

't know wh

r, guilt written

said. "I worked undercover for a couple of

s hear

from one place to another ring. Paul got involved. The marriag

med. "You used me

a cr

d her son

ife behind for you. For this family. But I

un again, but this

ted it a

yelled, lung

s quicker than anybody expected and knocked her to the

uggling as Rivas cuffed her. The gi

intaining her grip to keep her safe fr

ng heavily, with excitement

sn't lookin

-watching how his eyes w

ss the street now..

d and r

e was

chi

d, "That's no

rowing tense. "N

car door

stepped fr

mediately re

e had seen in the

t from

't about

d, "I thought

an sm

h what you sta