“It’s a good thing that I am. What we did was stupid. But what would be even stupider is losing her. So now we need to come up with a plan. One that she can’t ignore.”
***
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Why am I asking my teenage son if his crazy plan is going to work? It’s total and complete insanity.
“It’s breakfast. How can she say no?”
Easily. It’s one small word.
Creed knocks on the door.
Greer can’t be conned by a healthy breakfast and a nice smile. Though Creed talked me into trying this…who am I to say he can’t con her into giving me a chance to apologize.
“Do you think she’s ignoring us?” Creed tries to peek into her windows.
“That’s not Greer’s style. She’d confront us and tell us to go away.” I love her courage. Her fortitude.
“Then why isn’t she answering?”
That’s a good question. A very good question. “She could be in the shower.”
Creed shakes his head. “Greer prefers to shower before going to bed.”
“Do I want to know how you know that?”
The boy shrugs. “Her friends sort of mentioned it in an offhand kind of way.”
Why does it all of the sudden feel like something is wrong? “Creed, open the door.”
“Dad?”
“I’ve got a really bad feeling. Open the door.”
“Okay, but if she really has guns in that closet of hers, I’m not going in first.”
Greer and guns are the least of my worries. A drug dealer who now knows Greer has a soft spot for my family jumped up to the top. I set the food and the vase full of flowers down on the porch as Creed enters the code.
The little green light flashes…she didn’t change it.
“Greer, are you okay? We’re coming inside!” even as I shout the words, I don’t expect any response.
Creed gives me a worried look.
“Stay close.”
He nods.
We don’t make a full sweep. I head straight for her bedroom. That’s the easiest place to snatch up a person when they’re asleep and defenseless.
I knew I should have taken out that woman. Letting her walk away just gave them more information to use against me.
Please let me be wrong.
As we walk past the baby’s nursery, another pang runs through me. They aren’t just risking one person’s life.
We step into her room and don’t need to go any further.
There’s a broken cup of tea and blood droplets scattered around the room.
