“I can’t see anything,” Tyler said. “Open one of the doors to let some light in.”
Standing next to one of the doors, Joe opened it.
“What the—?” Dumbfounded, Tyler pivoted to face his mother, whose expression was one of disbelief and disappointment.
“It’s empty,” Becca said. “Where are all the cars?” Her voice was close to cracking.
“I don’t know, Mom. They’re supposed to be here. They always set up early before the Super Bowl.” Tyler hung his head, his shoulders slumped in defeat.
“What do we do now?” Becca asked. Her question was met with blank stares.
“Let’s not panic,” Joe interjected. “There must be a back room or staging area to get the cars ready. We’ll need to search the building. Tyler, you come with me. Ethan, you stay here with the ladies. Shoot anyone who threatens you.”
“Will do,” Ethan said.
“Oscar, stay. Stay,” Joe said.
The big dog did as instructed. When the group entered the building, Oscar lifted his snout, taking in the odors of the room. He blocked out the previous odors to concentrate on the unique human scents of his group. He recognized the four women right away, the three men too, but one scent was new. His nose twitched, trying to identify the person belonging to the new scent. While the group discussed matters, Oscar padded in the direction of the new smell.
“Tyler, you’ve been here before, right?”
“Many times.”
“What’s your best guess about where we might find one of the cars?” Joe asked.
Tyler thought a moment before answering. He quickly recalled his previous trips to the vintage auto show with his dad. The memory he focused on happened when he was a kid. He vaguely remembered accompanying his dad and one of the car owners to a room holding a special car, available to those who had a pass. Tyler had been told under no circumstances was he to touch or climb in the car. His dad rarely spoke to him in the tone used. It stuck in his mind because he didn’t want to upset his dad, knowing if he messed up, his dad would be angry at him, so he did exactly as his dad instructed.
“There’s a large holding area over there,” Tyler said. He pointed to the opposite side of the convention center. “If my memory is correct, the cars are driven into a staging area where the tires are wiped clean before being driven into the showroom. Come on. Let’s go.”
Joe and Tyler jogged to the opposite side. The doors were hidden behind a large curtain, and fortunately unlocked.
Joe swung open the doors to find—
Oscar barked loud and throaty, snapped his teeth and—
A visceral scream, loud and shrill, echoed in the empty cavernous building. It had emanated from where Ethan and the group had been.
A shot rang out.
Another one, then two more.
Running footsteps thudded on the floor.
Oscar charged after the footsteps, sliding to a stop as the door clanged shut, throwing the area into darkness.
“Ethan!” Joe yelled. “What happened? Is anyone hurt?”
“We’re over here!” Ethan yelled back. “Hurry!”
Joe and Tyler bolted to where the group was. A sliver of light peeked through the door near the terrified group, showing the way for Joe and Tyler.
With their eyes acclimated to the low light, Tyler noticed a female sprawled out on the floor. Thinking the worst, he screamed, “Mom! Are you okay? Mom!”
“I’m fine,” Becca said. “Someone needs to get some light in here. Open the door.”
Tyler ran up to his mom and hugged her. “Thank God you’re okay. For a moment I thought it was you on the floor.” He stood back from his mom. “Where’s Kinsey?”
“Sitting against the wall,” Becca said.
“Kins? Are you alright?” Tyler stepped over to his sister.
She sat with her back to the wall, her knees pulled up to her chest. She had her arms wrapped around her knees with her face buried between them. Oscar sat next to her, his eyes alert. He panted heavily.
“Kins? What’s wrong?”
Kinsey didn’t answer.
“Kins?”
Kinsey raised her head, made eye contact with Tyler then flicked her eyes to Hannah.
“I don’t understand,” Tyler said.
“I can’t talk,” Kinsey replied.
Sensing Kinsey was in distress, Oscar nudged her hand until she acquiesced to his prodding. She gently massaged his ears and stroked him on his side, and sliding her fingers through his coat. The action calmed her, and for that, Oscar calmed himself too.
Joe knelt next to Hannah. Lexi was sitting on the other side, holding a woolen scarf to Hannah’s chest. Blood stained Hannah’s shirt and the scarf. Lexi lifted her eyes to Joe and shook her head to communicate the situation was grave.
Hannah struggled to breathe, her breaths labored and raspy. Blood stained her shirt. Her delicate face was pale.
“Oh, Hannah,” Joe said. His voice was soft and caring. “What happened?”
“I’m sorry,” she squeaked. She took a labored breath.
Joe reached to her diminutive hand and took it in hers. “Are you in pain?”
“Not much.”
“Hang in there, okay?”
Hannah nodded once.
Becca and Kinsey were hugging and comforting each other. Ethan stood guard at the door. Lexi’s face belied the intense physical pain from the tooth extraction and the emotional pain she felt witnessing Hannah being shot.
“Hannah, I’ve been meaning to tell you thank you for saving my life at the zoo,” Joe said. “I mean it.” He blinked his emotions
