Keisha moved fast, shielding Tiana.“I’m her caseworker,” she snapped, tremor climbing her arm.“Emergencies go through me.I haven’t heard anything about Jalisa being released.”
Tiana’s face scrunched, fear flickering.“What’s wrong with Jalisa?”
“Nothing now,” Vera said, smooth.“She’s fine, wants you home.”
Sergei’s knife hand steadied.Keisha’s tremor worsened, her neck tight.Not now.“Let me see your ID,” Keisha demanded.
Vera held out a card.It was fake, Pavel’s work.“I should call Jalisa,” Tiana said.
“I have a phone you can use,” Vera said, blocking the lot exit.
Six people nearby, two too close for a fight.
“I’m responsible for Tiana,” Keisha said, voice firm despite shaking.“I’ll drive her.”
“Not necessary.”Vera’s eyes flicked to Sergei.“Jalisa asked for me.”
“How’s Miguel?”Tiana asked.“Was he home?”
“He’s fine,” Vera said.“In the car with my partner.”
Tiana relaxed.
Sergei’s gut knotted.All lies.He pressed Keisha’s back, urging retreat toward the taco shop.“We’ll confirm with the agency,” Keisha said, unmoving.
Tiana shifted, socks scuffing.“If Jalisa’s home—”
“She can wait,” Sergei cut in.“We’ll drive you.”
Vera’s mask slipped, eyes cold.“That’s sweet, but unnecessary.Now, Tiana, I need you to come with me.”
The crowd thinned, bystanders sensing tension, giving Vera space.“Tiana, stay with us,” Keisha whispered, urgent.
But Tiana stepped toward Vera, stubborn.“If Miguel and Jalisa need me—”
“They don’t,” Sergei said, stepping between them.
“You don’t know her,” Tiana snapped.
“I know her.”Vera extended her hand.“Coconut rice Fridays.Pop star poster, blue walls.”
Keisha grabbed Tiana’s arm.“Tiana, don’t—”
“Let go!”Tiana pulled, drawn to Vera’s lies.“If they need me—”
“They don’t.”Sergei blocked Vera.“This isn’t about them.”
Vera’s hand pulled a syringe, not a badge.“Step aside, Lisowski,” she said, pretense gone.“Dmitri wants the girl.”
Tiana froze.“What?”
“Run,” Sergei said, knife in palm.“Both of you.Now.”
Tiana moved toward Vera.Sergei grabbed for her jacket, fingers grazing fabric.
Too slow.
Vera yanked Tiana into the alley, grip tight.Tiana’s yelp cut off, shoes skidding on wet pavement.Sergei sprinted after them.Three seconds late.Not again.
