Chapter 63

CHAPTER 63

" C heck the van," I heard Serena say into her phone. "I don't think Norman is in there. Be careful, Jane."

There's this thing about motherhood. You can be a terrible mother and still love your kid to distraction. You can be disorganized and sloppy and absent-minded and still have a razor-like focus if your kid is in trouble.

And you can be peaceable and smiling and a Cheery Boost and still know you will blow to hell anybody who hurts your baby.

Poppy was bleeding. Her blood was on the floor.

I'm anti-gun, but I was sure as hell going to use one on Serena.

"You won't fire that," Serena said, her lip curling and her gun steady. "The safety isn't even off."

Actually it was, Pike had made sure of that before I'd gotten out of the van, but it was good to know she was bluffing.

Behind her, I saw Poppy pull herself silently to her feet. I kept my eyes on Serena, but I could see Poppy in my peripheral vision, showing me her bloody but free hands and a broken zip tie. That's my girl.

"Where is the film?" Serena demanded, aiming her gun at me.

"For the four millionth time, there is no film ," I said. "Ozzie never mentioned a film. I never saw a film. And I don't give a damn about your stupid film. Don't have it, don't want it. Walk away, Serena."

"You're lying," she said, raising her gun to point at my face.

I kept my gun leveled at her center mass. "Serena, this is a no-win situation. We'll probably shoot each other and both die, but I don't care as long as my kid is safe."

She swung her gun toward Poppy, and I shot her.