Page 65 of The White Picket Fence

Yes.That was what she’d hoped he’d say.

“I’ll be right back,” he said, then left the kitchen for wherever he’d hidden the knives. At this point, she didn’t care where he hid them. She only needed one.

Quickly, she moved to Kayla’s side and whispered in her ear. “I’ll try to get his keys and then untie you. Be ready to run, even if I don’t follow you. Understand?”

Kayla nodded, her eyes still so scared, it broke Charlotte’s heart.

Charlotte hurried back to the counter and was sorting through the dry spices—cayenne, chili pepper, red pepper flakes, habanero powder, ground black pepper—when Kevin returned with one large kitchen knife and one paring knife. Both looked dull, but she’d used worse.

She’d make do with the knives, especially if she could tease them away from him. Once she hit him in the face with her mix of spices, she could plunge the knife into his gut.

Except in his other hand, he held a handgun. The handgun had a silencer. This would be the weapon he’d used to wound Mr. Lewis. To kill Mr. Lombardi and Mrs. Fadil and maybe the two cops as well.

If she angered him enough, he might use that gun on her or Kayla.Or on both of us.

Don’t think like that. Just bide your time. Make your pepper concoction. Be patient.

He handed her the knife, casually pointing the gun at her chest. “No funny stuff.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” she lied, then smiled up at him, hoping she could pull this off. “It’s a beautiful kitchen. It’s going to be a pleasure cooking in it.”

Still holding the gun, his aim still firm, he ran a finger on his free hand down her cheek. “You look good in my kitchen, Charlie.”

She felt like her face would crack from the fake smile. “Thank you. One frittata, coming up.”

* * *

Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Thursday, March 31, 12:40 p.m.

Tino staredup at the blue Victorian as Cliff slowly drove by. “It’s uncanny,” Tino whispered.

“Exactly like you used to dream about,” Cliff agreed. “That’s freaky, man.”

“It is.” Tino’s skin felt unbearably tight. Kevin Hale had been thorough, to say the least.

Cliff reached over and squeezed Tino’s arm. “He went to so much trouble for her, T. Maybe he won’t hurt her.”

But Tino was terrified that that wasn’t the case. “He killed people to get to her, Cliff.”

Cliff sighed. “I know. What’s the plan?”

“Drive around the block and park at the back. I’ll climb the fence and break in through a basement window.”

“And if he has cameras and sees you coming?”

Tino grimaced. “I don’t know. It’s a risk I have to take. Maybe he won’t be paying attention to the cameras.”Because he’s hyperfocused on Charlie.That didn’t make Tino feel any better. “If you need to leave, this is the time.”

“I’m here. I have your back.” Cliff made a face. “From the safety of the family minivan.”

Tino studied the homes as they drove to the street behind Hale’s house. “I gave you shit about buying such a fancy minivan, but right now, I’m glad you did. Your Mercedes fits right in.”

“I’ll remind you of that later,” Cliff said lightly. “Also, we got a great deal and this vehicle holds its resale value.”

“Yeah, yeah. I was wrong and you were right.”

“Ha!” Cliff crowed. “Say that again.” He held out his phone.

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