I peek out from my hiding place. He’s at the open window looking down. It’s my moment. I slip around the door and then I’m there. On the other side. With a rush I see he’s left the key in the lock.
“Hey!” Mr. Gretzky yells.
Time slows down. I pull the door closed as he lunges toward me. My fingers fumble at the key and I’m sure he’s going to reach me before I can lock it, but then the metal turns with the sweetest little click.
Mr. Gretzky’s body slams into the wood so hard it pushes the door forward like a wave. “Unlock it! Let me out!”
“Sorry, Mr. Gretzky.” I take the key and run, the dusty carpet soft beneath my bare feet.
I dash down a banister, breathing fast. I never expected to get this far. My plan ended with Mr. Gretzky tackling me. From the loud bangs echoing behind me, he won’t be locked in my room for long. I sprint faster. I just need to get to Eli or Doc or Bobby—
A door to my right swings open and a huge, scarred man steps into my path. The only person I didn’t want to see. There’s no time to change direction. I slam into Adriano Rossi at a hundred miles an hour. His body feels like cinderblocks. I struggle backward but his hand closes on my shoulder, biting down. “You.”
There’s a crash behind us and Mr. Gretzky appears, panting. “I’m sorry, sir. She was hiding. I thought she jumped out the window.”
Adriano glares at Gretzky. “You let her escape.”
“I’m sorry, sir.”
“She can go back in the cage.”
“No!” I scream, desperately trying to organize my thoughts. “I need to talk to you!”
“Shut up.” Adriano snarls. “Gretzky. Cage.”
“I know something! Adriano, I know where Mr. Parker keeps the Orchard.”
His fingers tighten on my shoulder. “What?”
“He has a secret safe. I heard him talk about it on the phone. I bet the Orchard is in there. And even if it isn’t, I bet a heap of important stuff is!”
Adriano’s green eyes burn into mine. “You’re lying.”
“I’m not smart enough to lie!”
His face shifts, eyebrows drawing together.
My heart jolts. He believes me.
“You heard Parker talking about a safe?”
“Yes.”
“Where is it?”
“I’ll… I’ll tell you if you take me to my Zia Teresa.”
Adriano shoves me to the floor. “I’m done with you.” He raises a boot as though to step on me.
I throw up my arms to cover my face but I force myself to keep talking. “If you kill me, you won’t find the safe.”
A moment of silence and I’m hauled to my feet.
“Mr. Rossi?” Gretzky says.
Adriano turns to him. “You got something to say?”
“No, sir.”
