Get Charlie and get out.
Over Whitney’s shoulder, I scanned the room, noted thefake windows. I took in the staircase, where I knew a door led to the Packers’ outdoor pool. I saw a patio, which was lit with natural light—or a near-perfect facsimile.
When Whitney’s hold on me loosened, I took a tentative step toward the staircase.
She reacted immediately, grabbing a remote from the desk and pushing a button. Metal walls descended, blocking the patio and the windows.
“What thehell?” said Charlie.
“Whitney!” I said.
She looked crazed, her eyes moving quickly between Charlie and me. “I didn’t know what else to do,” she muttered, her voice almost robotic. “She tried to kill him. She’s going to keep trying.” Her face changed before me, growing older, exposing her private desperation. She looked haggard, exhausted, and suddenlyreal.
Charlie was staring at her, his mouth slightly open.
“I pretended Roma sold drugs. I was just going to report her to the police. I thought it would give me…I don’t know…a few weeks. She poisoned Xavier. She’s going to kill him, Liza. She’s going to kill him.”
“Whitney—”
“You’d do the same, right?” said Whitney, raising her deadened gaze to me. “If someone were trying to hurt Charlie, you’d do anything…wouldn’t you?”
-8-
Annette
ANNETTE HEADED TOWARD LAREDO,but her son said, “Stop.”
“We’re going to see Grammy and Pops,” said Annette.
Robert held up his phone, showing her a message from Xavier:
MEET ME AT SECRET CAVE ASAP? I NEED YOU.
“Mom, I need to go back,” said Robert.
“No,” said Annette.
“Xavier says he needs me,” said Robert, and Annette felt a twinge.
The highway rolled out before them, blinding in the afternoon sun, filled with trucks and car exhaust and the hovering fumes of gasoline. It was her way out.
She paused, approaching a U-turn.
-9-
Cellphone Transcript Record
512-XXX-XXXX
XAVIER
Meet me at Secret Cave ASAP? I need you.
CHARLIE
What’s up?
CHARLIE
