Page 97 of Lethal Deceit

And all I’d have to do is bury the last piece of myself.

But at what cost?

I know exactly what’s on that memory card. Selling it might mean the deaths of millions of innocent Americans. People like Mick. Like Brooke.

No amount of money could make up for that.

And no matter how many zeros were in my account, it would never be enough to fill the hole inside me.

A woman’s voice floats down the hallway, catching us both off guard. For a moment I think Brooke’s calling, but she isn’t.

She’s praying. Loudly.

“‘Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.’”

Heat rushes through my body. Footsteps clomp down the hall before someone bangs on the door, presumably to tell Brooke to be quiet.

Mona waves her hand in the air. “And that one. They should have taken the frumpy mother instead.”

I shift my hands under the table so she won’t see my fists curl. I willnotgive her the satisfaction.

The odor of garlic wafts toward me, followed by heavy footsteps, but it’s not Hamza who’s in the room, it’s the man who’s running the show. I angle my body upward, just in case, so his face is clear before he fixes his gaze on me. He slowly pulls out his handgun.

Opposite me, Mona jiggles in her seat. “Time’s up. Hand it over, he kills the sister, and we’re done here,” she says.

No. No. No.

His eyes lock onto mine before the gun swings toward my chest. “I do not have patience for this.”

My mouth is so dry I couldn’t speak even if I wanted to. Once again, through the door, Brooke’s voice wafts down the hallway, except this time, she’s not praying, she’s singing.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost, but now I'm found.

Was blind, but now I see.

“I can’t,” I say quietly. “I can’t do that to Mick.”

Seemingly oblivious to the man holding a gun on me, Mona scoffs. “Oh, darling. He doesn’t care about you. A man like that can’t love women like us.”

Somehow, for whatever reason, Brooke continues to sing unfettered, and every word stirs something inside of me until I’m struggling to breathe.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear

And grace my fears relieved

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed

Tears fill my eyes, and I don’t bother to hide them from her. What’s the point? I’m going to die anyway.

I straighten my back. “Maybe not, but God does. He sent His Son to pay for all my sins.”

Mona’s whole body jerks, and the mask drops. The face I once thought was the most beautiful I’d ever seen contorts into a sneer as she shoots to her feet and points at the door. “Will youdosomething to shut her up!” she snaps.

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