Page 36 of Never Quiet

“Medical staff are on site?”

Harper explained, “A team is running tests on the elderly and children. They’re the first to show symptoms.”

Hayden said softly, “There have been two miscarriages.”

Amanda touched his forearm. “The water table is critical. If that’s contaminated, you’ll have to move the population.” She shook her head. “The place might have to be buried for good. Dumping that much methylmerc…”

Suddenly, both Elijah and Davis, who faced the front of the gallery, stiffened sharply. The next thing she knew, Amanda was driven to the floor on her back. She had the wind knocked fully out of her.

Beside her, Harper murmured, “Fuck!”

Glancing around Davis’s shoulder from where he was fully covering her, she stared in surprise at the windows. There were strange impact marks but the glass didn’t break.

“Grandma has bulletproofed glass in her gallery?” she asked softly. “I mean, I’m glad but…”

“It was one of my requirements when the upper lofts were renovated. Replacing all glass with the strongest grade available,” Harper explained. Elijah spoke softly in a transmitter from where he crouched over him. He added, “I knew I’d wish to visit.”

Looking around, she realized Hayden wasn’t on the floor. He was gone. Checking the gallery area behind them, she confirmed Noel and Rick were also missing.

“Uh…”

“Everyone is alright, Amanda.” Elijah’s voice was low enough not to carry. Receiving an all-clear through the transmitter in his ear, he stood and lifted Harper to his feet. He gripped his charge’s upper arm firmly before releasing him.

Interesting reaction.

Davis bodily lifted Amanda and hugged her tightly. “Are you alright?” She nodded. “I didn’t mean to drop you so hard.”

“I’m perfectly fine and proud of your reflexes.” Hugging him back, she added in a whisper, “No-No has always said you have outstanding instincts.”

An hour later, Elijah removed Harper from the gallery after rapid goodbyes. “I’m sorry, Caroline. I’ll text you when we’re in the air. Elijah left a team and Hayden will remain tonight.”

“I’m so sorry your time with us was ruined by whichever bastards did this.” Pressing her cheek to his, Caroline added, “It’s always so good to see you, darling.”

Leaning back, he said, “Your William makes you glow. It makes me happy.”

Holding her palm to his cheek, she murmured, “The years continue to pass, Harper. Drop the armor and breathe deeply of the world around you. Open yourself to something wonderful.”

He nodded, kissed her, and they were gone.

The handful of remaining guests gathered around to console Caroline about the drive-by on her gallery. She shook her head in response and apologized for the terror.

Finally, only their family and close friends remained. Bill called the police and Caroline filed a formal police report. It was assumed to be a random occurrence.

No one mentioned the presence of Harper Delkin.

They went through the loading bay to the upper floors and changed into comfortable clothes. They were all relieved that neither of the little girls were in the gallery at the time.

All of them ate, drank, and talked. Davis slept on the sectional in Caroline’s living room and Amanda joined him on the other side so they could talk until they fell asleep.

Hayden remained behind and stayed in Noel’s loft with her and Rick. They were secluded for hours the following day. When they emerged to join the rest of them for dinner, they didn’t mention the drive-by shooting.

Amanda interacted normally with the people she loved and tried not to panic. Noel and Rick went out of their way to avoid speaking to her directly.

Staring at Hayden until he lifted his gaze to hers, one side of his mouth curved into a smile. She didn’t buy it for a second.

Amanda had a bad feeling.

* * *