53

 

The squeal of sirens. The police would be here any moment.

Maria whispered, “Thank you, God.” She would stay put as long as she could see Raymond. If he went inside the building, so would she.

Raymond turned towards the road. He’d obviously heard the sirens, as well. He yelled something to his companion.

Daoud went to Raymond and pulled on his arm as if urging him to leave.

Raymond shoved him away. A tug of war followed, but Raymond held his ground.

Daoud threw up his hands, and then jumped in the car and sped off the lot.

Raymond kicked at the glass door.

Hurry. Hurry. Where were they?

Maria moved closer to the station, but stayed hidden in the trees. There was no way she would stand here and watch Raymond take Layla. He might be stronger, but she would die to keep her daughter away from him.

Raymond’s foot went through the glass. He reached into the hole. He would have Layla in a matter of seconds.

Police cars sped past.

Thank you, God. Help was finally here.

Layla would be safe.

Maria took off running.

Conrad jumped out of the car, running towards the station.

Zink leapt out from the other side, and a huge man stepped out from the back.

Maria blinked. Marcus Hanks. Here in Sunberry.

Nobody could hear her over the squealing of the sirens. She jogged towards them, grateful not to be alone.

Conrad pulled out his gun.

“Don’t shoot.” With the last of her strength, she dashed the rest of the way. “There’s gasoline. You can’t shoot. Don’t.”

Conrad turned towards her, but Suzanne lifted her gun.

Marcus moved forward as Suzanne covered him.

Maria kept running, screaming her daughter’s name. Nobody would stop her from getting in there to get to Layla. She couldn’t let Raymond have her.

Conrad’s arms went around her. “You can’t go in there.”

She struggled against him. “Let me go. I have to. Layla might be in that building.”

He held her firmly. “No.”

She pushed on his chest, but couldn’t break the bear hug. She crumpled in his arms, letting her tears flow. “Layla. Layla.”

A gun shot from inside.

Raymond was shooting at them—at the police.

Maria’s mind and heart froze. Her daughter might be in there.

More shots.

Maria stared.

Zink, Marcus, Ben Martin. All of them had their guns aimed and firing. At Raymond in the station where Layla might be.

Couldn’t breathe. She’d been so close, but Raymond had defeated her, sliced her heart from her chest. The pain sapped the strength from her knees. Her legs collapsed.

Conrad held her tight. “She wasn’t in that building. I promise. Trust me.” Conrad held her as she crumpled. “Look at me, Maria. Layla’s fine.”

“Oh, my precious little girl. Layla.” The only thing keeping her standing was Conrad’s arms around her. ”He’s got her. Raymond’s got her.”

“Maria, listen to me.” Her gaze found his. “She’s not in there.”

“How do you know that?” His words penetrated her panic. Conrad wouldn’t lie to her. She looked at him, hope rising.

“She called me. Just like you told her to.” He held up his phone. “I asked her protector to take her somewhere safe while we dealt with the situation here.”

Marcus moved closer to the station.

Ben and Suzanne stepped in sync behind him. All three had guns aimed.

Tears streamed down her face. “What if she didn’t make it?”

He hugged her close. “She did. I need to go over there. Can I trust you to stay here and not put yourself or Layla in any more danger?”

An internal war waged inside her spirit.

Maria closed her eyes. God, give me wisdom

All of her wanted to run to her daughter’s rescue. And all of her wanted to trust Conrad, but at one time she’d trusted Raymond. She’d vowed never to trust again, but Suzanne was right. Living without trust was like living in a dark world without beauty. You might survive, but that wasn’t the same as living.

Beauty for ashes. God’s promise.

She opened her eyes and met Conrad’s gaze. “I trust you.”

Conrad touched her cheek. “I will do everything in my power to keep her safe.”

A chill hovered over her in spite of the warm day when Conrad moved towards the station. His gun was pulled and he moved up by Suzanne. Sudden silence.

Marcus’s gun stayed leveled at the station’s door. “It’s over, Hamed. Throw out your gun.”

Maria moved closer but stayed behind the cruisers.

“Where is my daughter? You have no right to keep her from me.”

“You can see her after we get you in custody.”

Over her dead body. Layla believed her dad was dead and she was going to keep on believing that. Maria took a step to move forward, but her gaze landed on Conrad. She stopped herself. No reason to charge in there. Conrad would take care of the situation.

“I don’t believe you.” Raymond called out from the station.

“Well, you can believe this, Hamed.” Marcus’s voice rang out, loudly and clearly. The righteous anger in his voice told Maria he hadn’t known Raymond was alive any more than she had. “You won’t see her until you put down that gun and come out with your hands up.”

It was quiet for a moment, and then Raymond gave his answer. He shot at Marcus, but Marcus hit the ground and the bullet missed.

In the next second, a hail of gunfire split the air.

It seemed as if it went on forever, but then the guns fell silent.

Marcus called out.

No response.