Cindy clenched her jaw, ran her fingers through her brown, matted hair, then turned around. “I can’t believe Jessie dragged William into this mess. I rue the day that man ever came into William’s life. He destroyed my family.”
I cleared my throat and contemplated telling Cindy what Jessie had said, but figured it was a moot point now. I left it alone and kept it to myself.
“That doesn’t matter right now,” Anna said. “The people they stole from are some of the worst, and the one they sold it to is just as bad. We need to figure out our next move and leave the city while we still can.”
Cindy looked to Anna. She sighed, then turned away.
“Agreed. Since they’ve already sold the data to Domingo, there’s nothing else we can do but leave the city and get you to your son. After that, you’ll just need to disappear someplace where the McCones can’t find you,” I said to Cindy, who paced the dim motel room.
Anna grabbed a wad of clothes and threw them at my chest. “Put those on. I guessed at your size, so hopefully they’ll fit.”
I cradled the musty clothes, then glanced down to them. “Thanks. They should be good.”
“I’m going to load up the weapons and ammo.” Anna snapped her fingers at Cindy. “Can you keep a look out for us through that window?”
Cindy continued pacing the motel room, ignoring Anna’s request.
“Hey.” Anna raised her voice and snapped her fingers again. Cindy flinched, stopped, then looked her way. “I know you’re scared right now and struggling to process everything, but we need you to focus here and help out. You and your son’s life depend on it.”
Cindy turned, and walked toward the window.
Anna stared at me, lips pursed.
I glanced at Cindy, then walked around Anna and Shadow.
The German shepherd growled, but didn’t snap or attack. I hauled the clothes back to the bathroom, leaving the door open to give me some light.
I emptied the pockets of my trousers and set the contents on the counter. The screen of my phone had a crack that webbed outward from the center. I thumbed the power button on the side. It didn’t come on. I considered dumping it in the trash, but decided against it seeing as it was the only tether I had to Janet and Peter, regardless if it worked or not.
I took off the coat and sat it on top of the toilet seat. I removed the smirched rags I wore, tossing them to the floor near the tub. The cool air nipped at my exposed flesh. I shivered, and my teeth chattered.
My reflection in the mirror over the sink revealed hints of bruises and cuts all over my body. I ignored the grisly sight and slipped on the long-sleeve, red-flannel shirt and denim jeans. A bit tight in the waist, but it would do much better than the torn, blood-stained rags I had on.
I grabbed the phone from the counter, shoved it into the back pocket of the jeans, then retrieved the coat from the top of the toilet seat.
Shadow growled, then barked a warning. I put the coat on and stepped out from the restroom, looking toward the front of the room.
“Why is she barking?” I asked Anna.
Shadow ran toward the entrance of the motel room. She lowered and barked louder.
Cindy stepped away from the side of the window. Her chest heaved and her eyes bulged with fear as she stared at us. “They’re here.”
“Who’s here?” I asked, leaving the dark bathroom behind. “McCone’s men?”
Anna zipped up both duffle bags, then glanced up at me. “You still got that Beretta?”
“No. I lost it fleeing Jessie’s apartment.” I rushed to the king size bed.
“Here.” Anna handed me the Smith and Wesson. She shoved a pistol inside the waistband of her jeans, then pulled the top of the white jacket she had on over the weapon. “We need to get out of here now. How many are outside?”
Cindy peeked around the curtain for a split second, then closed it just as fast. “A handful. I’m not sure.”
“Be more specific,” Anna shot back, short and curt. “Three? Four? More than that?”
“Maybe three. Could be more,” Cindy replied, panting.
Anna loaded six shells into the magazine of the black-tactical shotgun and one into the chamber. She jerked the fore-end, making it hot.
Shadow reared back on her hind legs and scratched at the door. Each bark boomed like thunder through the motel room.
I looked to the side of the bed and spotted a door in the wall. “Our only way out of here is through that door.”
“It should lead into the next motel room.” Anna turned toward the entrance, then rushed to Shadow.
Cindy ran from the window to my side.
I grabbed the doorknob, then twisted, but it didn’t turn. “We’re going to have to bust through the door. It’s locked or jammed.”
Anna lowered the shotgun, then tugged at the canine’s collar. “Do whatever you need to do, but get through that door now.”
I stepped away from the door, then rammed the bottom of my shoe near the doorknob. The door rattled, but didn’t give.
A sharp, stinging pain lanced through my knee, then up my leg. I cringed, bent over, and palmed my knee.
Cindy tapped my shoulder. I turned and looked toward the entrance of the room. Shadowy silhouettes moved across the window, then hovered in front of it.
“Come on, Lawson.” Anna pulled back with Shadow’s collar in her hand.
I limped toward the door and hit again, ignoring the pain. The noise made challenged Shadow’s deep-throated barks. I dipped my shoulder, then rammed the door.
Wood splintered. The door flew open into the adjacent room. I tumbled inside the dark space, hitting the floor on
