Page 21 of One Last Promise

She pointed to a small ranch with a jutting front deck and a trio of birch in the front yard. The closed blinds along the front bay window obscured the view, so no joy on a sniper shot.

“Who is this Roz?”

“She’s the ex-cop. She used to work in the gang unit.”

“Do I want to ask how you met her?”

“Probably not, but let’s just say that Rigger’s been on her radar for a while.”

Okay. Moose turned off the truck, parking it behind Rigger’s car, and got out. Tillie emerged from the other side, and he caught up to her, grabbed herhand. “Stay behind me.”

She looked at him. “You stay behindme.He sees you and he’s going to get rattled.”

“Just so we’re clear, you’re not going in there without me.”

Behind him, Flynn and Axel had pulled up across the street. Axel turned off his lights.

Moose dialed Axel’s number, then put his phone on speaker and mute and slipped it into his jacket pocket.

Tillie headed toward the door. She knocked, then opened it and stepped inside.

He followed her in.

The entry led to the family room and a kitchen on the back of the house. A hallway led back to the garage, the bedrooms on the opposite side, away from him.

A recliner and a side table sat opposite a sofa.

A man stood in front of a fireplace, his hands on the shoulder of a little girl in a worn nightgown. She was cute—dark hair, like Tillie’s, and pretty green eyes, and she bit her lip, her eyes wide, and clutched a stuffed animal to herself.

Seated on the recliner, a bruise to her cheek, was a woman, beefy, with short white hair, wearing leggings and an oversized T-shirt. She sported a shiner too—clearly Rigger’s calling card.

“Stop,” said Rigger, and Moose caught the storm door as it closed. Stayed in the entry as Tillie took a step onto the faded brown carpet.

“Who’s he?” Rigger said.

“A friend,” Tillie said.

He looked at Moose. “Get out.”

“I’m sorry, Tillie,” said the woman.

Tillie held up her hand.

“I can’t do that,” Moose said quietly. His gaze scanned the room. “And as long as you stay unarmed, this can all end without anyone getting hurt.” More hurt. But he didn’t want to throw accusations.

He hoped Flynn was listening.Not armed,Flynn. No shooting.

“This is none of your business.”

Moose said nothing.

“Your money is on the way,” Tillie said. “Why don’t you let Hazel go.”

Hazel made a move then to run to her mother, but Rigger yanked her back. “Now why would I do that?”

“Please, Rigger. You don’t want Hazel to go back with you. That’s not a life for a little girl.”

Rigger’s eyes narrowed. “Why not? She’s my daughter. She’ll live the life I want for her.”

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