Page 52 of The Engagement Party

Will actually ducked as the noise cut through the storm and traveled across the island. “What the hell was that?”

Alex knew. Not a door this time. A gunshot.

A body moved into the shed’s doorway, blocking most of the light. He faced inside the enclosed space, but from this distance it looked like the policeman. He stumbled and hit the wall. His body rested there then slid. His knees buckled and down he went.

“Was he shot?” Cassie sounded stunned by the idea.

The body crumpled into a heap on the ground. The light slashed across his unmoving form. Definitely a police uniform.

“Get inside.” Mitch jumped into action. He had Sierra and Ruthie corralled back through the door and into the kitchen within seconds. “Everybody, move. Now.”

They all retreated to the false safety of the house. The doorslammed shut and Cassie locked it. Without a word, they scurried around and checked the obvious locks before gathering again at the nearest window to stare out into the darkness. A crescendo of heavy breathing filled the room as they each shifted, trying to get a better look.

“Can you see anything?” Ruthie asked.

Cassie pressed her hand to the glass. “The body.”

“Let’s think.” Will stepped back. “A shoot-out? He fired at the attacker and vice versa.”

Mitch shook his head. “There was one shot and he’s not getting up.”

“No one else is coming out of the shed.” Alex focused on the beam of light shining in the shed’s doorway. He waited to see a shadow, a movement... something.

“Is it possible we were in the shed with the killer and didn’t realize?” Sierra seemed to be asking herself more than anyone in the room. “Maybe the killer was hiding.”

Cassie answered. “The shed isn’t that big.”

“You didn’t see the body. Once we did, everything else stopped.” Will’s voice got smaller. “At least it did for me.”

Trapped. Hunted.The words floated through Alex’s mind. The closeness combined with the panic radiating off them and bouncing against the walls magnified every lurid thought. He needed to sit down. Find more meds. Grab Cassie and swim.

“What do we do next?” Cassie’s attention shifted as she asked the question. “Where are you going now?”

They all glanced up, looking for the source of her renewed anger.

Ruthie stood on the stairs again. “We need weapons.”

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Sierra

Sierra wanted to believe Ruthie was overreacting, but all the evidence pointed toward more violence. Someone out there had gone from killing to prove a point to killing anyone in their way, even someone with a badge.

They needed to be armed and ready.

Sierra headed for the steps to follow Ruthie. “I’ll go with you. There might be something we can use on the third floor. I admit I didn’t spend much time up there after seeing those photos.”

“Okay, but there were tools in the shed. The garage would be the other place for anything sharp,” Will said.

The frenzy of activity stopped. Only Ruthie kept moving. She disappeared onto the second floor.

Alex leaned against the breakfast bar, clearly still feeling the effects of whatever happened to him outside. “No one is leaving this house. We stay in here. Together.”

Sierra didn’t often side with Alex, but this time, yes. “Agreed.”

Cassie nodded. “We’ll take the kitchen.”

She started opening cabinets, shoving useless items aside and stacking pans on the counter. Alex went to the knife block. Will,as usual, stood there, as if he needed a few more minutes to process the plan.

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