Page 144 of Beyond Protection
"Not without you," Claire said.
"I'm right behind you. Go."
Matthew already had the door open. Cold air and snow flooded in. A flashlight beam caught us immediately—from an officer stationed just outside, weapon drawn.
"Get them out of here," I said.
The officer grabbed Ma's arm. She resisted.
"Claire—"
"I'm coming," Claire said, and her hand tightened on mine.
"Mom." I made my voice firm. "You taught me to stand my ground. Now let me."
She looked at me. Snow caught in her hair, reflecting the flashlight beam. For a second, I saw every lesson she'd ever taught me.
Then she let go.
The officer pulled them into the snow.
Matthew stood in the doorway. "Mac—"
"I'm not leaving. I grew up in this house, almost as much as you. I know every room. If she's inside, I'm the best chance we have of—"
Of what? Stopping her? Buying time?
I didn't know. Still, it was impossible to run.
Matthew exhaled. "Stay behind me. You see her, you run. Understood?"
"Understood."
He stepped back inside and let the door swing shut.
We stood in the dark kitchen. Snow drummed the windows. Footsteps creaked on the basement stairs.
They were coming up.
The basement door was twenty feet away. Closed. No light underneath.
The knob turned.
I stopped breathing.
The door opened.
A flashlight beam spilled into the kitchen. Too bright to see the person holding it. I saw only glare and a silhouette—a woman.
"Mac." The voice was soft. Clinical. Almost gentle. "Your family's safe. It's only us now."
Vanessa Kensington stood in my aunt's kitchen, a gun in one hand and a flashlight in the other, with the calm expression of someone who believed she was doing the right thing.
"Hello," she said. "I've been looking forward to meeting you properly."
Matthew moved. Fast. Positioned himself between Vanessa and me, one arm out to keep me back.
"Ma'am, I need you to lower the weapon."
