Page 83 of Phoenix Rising

Audria paced back and forth, waiting for word from Hunter and Talia. Christian had ventured outside to search for alternate exits since they knew Elijah was fond of secret tunnels, while Reese remained his calm self. She didn’t know how he did it sometimes. Cool under pressure. That was his M.O.

A noise sounded in the hallway, and she looked up to see Elijah’s sister Matilda rolling her walker down the hall, followed by a woman Audria recognized from Sunshine Residence. She thought her name was Ms. Downy. She elbowed Reese, who spun around.

“Tilly, what are you doing here?” Audria asked.

Tilly blinked at her. “I know you. We’re friends.”

“Yes, I’m Aud, er, Allie. What’s wrong?”

“I have to talk to my brother. He isn’t answering his phone. I’ve been trying to call him for hours.”

Ms. Downy looked exasperated. “She wouldn’t take no for an answer. If I didn’t bring her, she would walk here by herself.” The woman frowned. “Why are you calling her Tilly? Her name is Ariel.”

“Tilly is a nickname,” Audria hedged.

“Have you been here before?” Reese asked the woman.

Ms. Downy shook her head. “I didn’t even know she had family in town.”

It wasn’t her business, but Audria posed the question anyway. “Tilly, why do you have to talk to Richie?”

“To tell him my best friend is here! It’s the best news ever! I have Buddy back too.” She wiggled the bear.

“You mean Tina?”

“Yes.”

Audria looked at Reese. What would Tilly’s appearance do to the conversation inside? He gave a slight nod. She trusted him, so she stepped back. “Go ahead and knock on his door.”

Tilly rolled forward and banged on the door. “Richie! Open up.”

#

Talia detected the panic in Elijah’s eyes as soon as he heard Tilly’s voice. Talia didn’t want her to see what would happen to her brother, and her split second of concern gave Elijah the opening he needed. With a burst of strength she didn’t expect, he surged upright. Unfortunately for him, she was faster and stronger and quickly pinned him back down.

“You don’t understand! I have to get Tilly out of here! The building is rigged to blow in less than five minutes!”

“Stop the timer,” Hunter insisted.

“I can’t!”

They had a choice to make. Take Elijah into custody or save the dozens of people inside the building. It was a no-brainer. Hunter bolted for the exit with Talia hot on his heels. She turned, expecting to see Elijah following, but he’d disappeared. Rat bastard. He’d abandoned his sister, leaving her to die to save his hide. They would find him again, and next time, they wouldn’t play nice.

Tilly’s eyes widened when she saw them. “Tina!”

“Come on, Tilly. We have to get out of here.”

Audria and Reese were instantly at their side. “What’s going on?”

“He’s rigged the place to blow in less than five minutes. We need to get everyone out now.”

Ms. Downy screamed and dashed for the exit, ditching Tilly like her brother. Bitch. Hunter scooped a shocked Tilly into his arms and raced after her. Talia wanted to grab her mobility walker but didn’t have time. She’d buy her another one. She took off with Audria and Reese for the wing housing the guests. Audria informed Christian what was happening through the comms while Reese paused to pull a fire alarm. Good idea. Devices all over the building screeched, and lights flashed an ominous warning. They had no idea how many rooms were occupied, so they banged on each one.

“Fire, get out now!”

People in nightclothes, looking surprised, piled in the hallway. They urged them forward. “Go as fast as you can!”

“There’s an employee wing,” Audria said, turning around to race down the corridor.

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