Page 50 of Special Agent Isabella

“Okay.”

“Did the kid have a good time at school today?”

“You’d have loved watching her prance around like an enchanted fairy with her hair in constant motion. She played with everyone, and the teacher said she’d never seen Abbie so extraverted. Seems she often sits on the sidelines, holds back, and is too shy to push herself forward. Not today. Goodness that child is a firecracker.”

“I’m glad. Life hasn’t been fun for her lately, being stuck inside the house. Thankfully, she’s not aware of Stacy’s circumstances.”

“It’s killing me thinking of her in the hands of those crazies, Tanner.”

“I know. But we’ve rounded up most of the online dissenters we have listed. Unfortunately, no one has anything worthwhile they’re sharing, just the regular spewed garbage they’ve ingested from social media. We’ve gotten zilch from our informers, or FBI’s techs listening to the chatter on the web. Oh, don’t get me wrong. There’s lots being said about Stacy’s disappearance, but no one’s taking responsibility.”

“And that worries you.”

“Christ, yeah. Usually, these people like to brag to their cohorts. But in this case, there’s been nothing. That worries me big time.” Tanner stopped talking, rather she heard him listening to another voice. “Gotta go. I’ll be in touch.”

Bella’s frustration grew. As much as she now liked being around the kid, she wanted to be doing more about finding Stacy. All her normal energy felt enclosed in a too-tight cylinder with the possibility of an explosion soon. She wandered into the living room and heard footsteps behind her.

“Nan wants you to come for dinner.” Leslie approached; her attitude much less judgmental than when she first arrived. In fact, from the time Stacy had disappeared, she seemed to have become aware that the situation was dire and not something to be used for her own purposes. “Bella, is there anything I can do to help? I feel so useless.”

“Is the commotion getting to you?” Bella pointed to the window.

“Truthfully, yes. I don’t know how you can be so casual about it?”

“Training. Plus, if we’re seen to be reacting, it will affect Abbie. We don’t want her upset if at all possible.” Bella hoped Leslie got the warning she’d buried in her last comment.

“Yes. Right. I understand. I’ll be careful. But I can’t help feeling unsafe with those people outside.”

“Hey, we have guards posted at all the entrances and the alarms are on. No one’s getting in without us knowing. And I carry a firearm, in case someone talks their way in.”

“Like me.”

“Exactly.”

Just then they heard Nan’s voice. “Time to eat. Abbie’s waiting for you.” When the housekeeper gave an order in that tone most didn’t have the nerve to argue. Willingly, they went into the dining room to see Abbie perched in her chair, waiting for them like a little queen on her throne.

Before they could reach their own places, tires screeched on the pavement outside and a hail of bullets broke through the windows. Shattered window fragments flew in every direction. Thankfully some of the shots hit the light fixture above the table and the room became dark. The noise of the disruption mixed with the screaming reactions from the occupants ramped up Bella’s prompt response.

Instinct kicking in, she shoved a wailing, hysterical Leslie down under the table before she bolted to grab Abbie from her chair. Another volley of slugs rained into the room, breaking pictures, ornaments, and most of the dishes left on the table. The powerful ammunition created such havoc that chair fragments flew in every direction and chips from the wall added to the mess.

Abbie shivered in Bella’s arms, clinging to her like a slug to a warm-blooded body. Her little legs and arms wrapped Bella tightly and her weak, distressed cries instantly became the worst thing Bella had ever heard.

Her most vital mission, keeping the kid out of range, Bella stayed low and scurried from the room to a space where they’d be safe. All the while, Leslie’s hysterical screams made the scene surreal and even more terrifying.

Rigid like a stone statue glued to her stomach, Abbie couldn’t be pried away. Terror lit her small, pale face. “Mommy. I want my mommy.”

“Shush, baby. I know. We’ll see her soon. But right now, I need you to be brave. Can you do that for me?”

Goddammit, Bella itched to go after the shooters so bad it infuriated her to hold back. Not being able to do her job had never happened before. But her responsibility to look after Abbie took precedence.

The shooting stopped as quickly as it started and again they heard the vehicle noisily swerving away from the scene.

Suddenly Collin crept close, his voice calm. “Here give her to me. I’ll take her to the other room, away from the danger.”

Bella forced a reluctant Abbie to dislodge from her arms. “Go with Collin, baby. He’ll keep you safe. I have to make sure no one was hurt. Abbie, I have to. It’s my job.” As if those words were magic, Abbie let her go but not before she kissed Bella’s cheek hard as she could. “Don’t go away too.”

“I won’t. I promise.”

Running back into the destroyed room, Bella called out to the woman cowering under the table. “Leslie, are you okay?”

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