I said nothing. I felt Nora’s foot in my grip and the door shift against my shoulders.
His voice hardened. “Open this door or I’ll—”
A crash erupted out front, followed by shouted orders: “State police!”
Bodies jostled the bathroom door as they struggled outside. I remained seated, gripping Nora’s foot.
Final chapter
Someone ordered Dalton onto the floor. A thud followed, then more voices and clicking handcuffs.
A trooper spoke through the door. Was I inside, was Nora with me, and were either of us hurt?
“She’s with me,” I managed. “We’re okay.”
He instructed us to remain while officers cleared the home. I lifted the towel.
Nora curled around her rabbit in the tub, watching me. “Did we win hide-and-seek?”
I lifted her, weeping into her hair. Outside, officers escorted Dalton through our hall.
Shelton came back that afternoon. Plywood covered the broken back door as he outlined evidence at our kitchen table.
