Page 86 of Sweet Poison

So be it.

“Listen to me,” I said.

She sniffed. “I’m listening.”

“You know I have to leave you for a while, right?”

She began to shake her head and cry pitifully. “No, Daddy. Don’t leave me. Don’t go.”

“Listen to me, Anya. I have to go. I have to save your mommy. Do you understand me? You have to be brave and stay here until I come back, okay.”

She stared at me. “You’re going to save Mommy?”

“Yes.” I smiled. “You think you can be brave until I come back?”

She nodded.

“Good girl.” I switched on the video feed of the surveillance cameras and all the little screens came alive. Their bluish light fell upon her little face. I pointed at them. “Now, I want you to watch the videos. Can you do that?”

She nodded.

“Keep your eyes on it, and if you see anyone lurking around the house, whether good or bad, ring me using that phone over there, but don’t ever open the door. Never. No matter what, don’t open the door to anyone until I come back in twenty-four hours. If I am going to be later than that I will call you. If I don’t call you and I don’t come back in twenty-four hours, you call Sheriff Johnson. His number is here.” I pointed to the notes I had made for her. “Do you understand me?”

She nodded, but I wasn’t convinced. Her life depended on this, but I didn’t know how to properly convey the importance to her. Shock tactics were needed.

“Anya?”

“Yes?”

“If you open this door your mother could die.”

Her face turned pale and her eyes opened wide. I felt bad, but I didn’t know how else to get her to recognize how important it was for her not to open the door.

“I understand, Daddy.” Her voice was soft, but finally, she understood. She must not open the door under any circumstances.

“Good girl. There’s one more thing for you to remember. This room can survive a bomb blast, so I don’t want you to be frightened if you see men with guns, okay? You’re totally and completely safe here. Unless you do one thing. What is that?”

It took a few seconds, but eventually, she replied.

“Unless I open the door.”

“Exactly.” I smiled at her. “Don’t open the door for absolutely anyone except me. Promise?”

She nodded solemnly. “Promise.”

I pulled out the USB. “See this? It contains very important information. I will be back very soon, but I could be delayed. So, if you don’t see me in twenty-four hours, I want you to use that phone,” I pointed to the phone, “and call 911 or Sheriff Johnson immediately. And when they come, you must give them this USB drive. Can you remember that?”

She nodded again, her eyes full of fear.

“Daddy, why can’t you take me with you?”

“Because I am going to a place where children are not allowed.”

She thought for a couple of seconds. “Can I wait for you in the car?”

I hid a smile. “No, it’s not safe. Come on, chin up. I’m leaving you in the safest place on earth to go look for your Mommy, okay? Do you want me to look for her and make sure she is safe?”

“Yes.”

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