And yet, even as she spoke, she felt a strange sense of unease.
Somehow Norman Rockwell seemed to be slipping away.
And shewho took in any stray puppy, who always helped the down and out, animal or humandidnt want David to open the door.
TWO
The chair in the den lost a leg the minute Kat picked it up. She let out a groan of frustration and tried to put it back on.
It would go back on, but it wouldnt stay, because a crucial screw seemed to be missing. She looked around, getting down on hands and knees to see if it had rolled into a corner somewhere. No luck.
No problem. There was a chair at the desk up in her room, and she knew it was fine, because she had been sitting in it earlier while she was online.
She was upstairs when she heard the doorbell ring. Curious, she walked to the window and looked out. She saw a car stuck nose-first in a snowdrift, barely off the road, down where the slope of their yard began.
The bell rang again, and two men backed out from beneath the porch roof and stared up at the house. Strangers. She could barely see them; the wind was really blowing the snow around, and they were bundled up in coats, scarves and hats, but something about their movement made her think that they were in their thirtieslate twenties to forty, tops, at any rate.
She frowned, watching as they moved back out of sight and the bell rang for a third time.
Not at all sure why, she didnt grab the chair and run down the stairs. Instead, she found herself walking quietly out to the landing, where she stood in the shadows, looking and listening.
We know its Christmas Eve, one man was saying.
And were so sorry, said the second.
But we ran off the road and we need help, said the first.
A dog shouldnt be out on a night like this, said the second.
We were just about to sit down to dinner. Her fathers voice, and he sounded suspicious. Good.
Dinner, the first man repeated.
Peering carefully over the banister, still strangely unwilling to give herself away, Kat tried to get a look at the men. One was bulky and well-dressed, and shorter than her father and Frazier by a few inches; since they were about six-one to Jamies six-two, that made the stranger about six feet even.
The other man, the one who had spoken first, was leaner. He had the look ofa sidekick? Odd thought, but that was exactly the word that occurred to her. He needed a haircut, and his coat was missing several buttons. Even his knit cap looked as if it had seen better days.
When the heavier man took off his hat, he was baldclean-shaven bald. He had thick dark brows, and eyes that were set too close together.
Beady eyes, Kat thought, then chided herself for watching too much C.S.I.
Good heavens, come in and get out of the cold, her mother told the pair.
Her mother would have taken in Genghis Khan, Kat thought, although she didnt sound entirely happy about extra guests at the moment. Maybe because it was Christmas Eve, she decided. But really, what choice was there? The two men could hardly go anywhere else.
But what the hell were they doing out to begin with? Maybe they didnt live here near the mountains, but anyone who lived anywhere in New England knew how treacherous the weather could become in a matter of hours, and the TV and radio stations had been talking nonstop about this storm for two days before it even got here. It had been touch and go whether the family even made it up here in time.
Thank you, maam, and bless you, the tall man said, holding out his hand. Im William Blane, but folks call me Scooter. And this is my associate, Mr. Quintin Lark.
How do you do, and I, too, thank you, the stocky man said.
Her father looked at her mother and smiled in solidarity. At that moment, despite the bickering that never seemed to stop, she was reminded of how much she loved her parents. And that she was proud of them. Her father worked hard, doing everything around the pub. He lugged boxes and kept the books, but he could pick up a fiddle or a keyboard and sit in with a band, and he was always willing to pitch in and wash glasses. He managed the kitchen, the bar and the inventory.
And her motherHer mother had raised three children, working all the while. Like Kats dad, her mom could sit in with the band. She had a clear soprano and a gift for the piano. She served drinks and meals, tended bar and always picked up a broom and a dust rag when needed.
Her mother was the key element that truly turned the place from a bar into a pub, Kat decided. She listened. She knew their customers. She knew that Mrs. OMalleys cat had produced five kittens and that those kittens were as important to Mrs. OMalley as Mr. Brownes new grandson was to him. She knew old man Adair had gotten part of a mortar shell in his calf during the warWorld War II, that wasand that as stubborn and sturdy as the old fellow might appear, his leg ached on an hourly basis. Her mother cared about people, perhaps too much. And in her pursuit of constant cheer, she had often sacrificed the truth.
Even now, she was frowning sympathetically. You say you had an accident? Where? What happened?
We didnt listen to the weather report, Im afraid, Quintin said.
We were listening to a CD, instead of the news, Scooter said. We ran off the road just at the edge of your property. I wasnt even sure wed make it this far.
Not to worry, Skyler said. We have plenty of food. Come on into the kitchen.
Ill just get some more chairs, David said.
Wasnt Jamie began.
No, Skyler said firmly, staring at Jamie. Nowell be fine in the kitchen. We just need more chairs.
Kats jaw dropped. Her motherher motherwas suspicious.
And pretending that she wasnt in the house.
Right, her father said. Two more chairs. Jamie, take Quintin and, uh, Scooter into the kitchen. Get them a drink.
A shot of whiskey, Skyler said. You both need a good shot of whiskey. Just to warm up. She sounded nervous, Kat thought, though no one who didnt know her would notice.
Whiskey sounds great, Scooter said.
Lets all go into the kitchen, Quintin added, and Kat thought she heard something ominous in his voice.
Ive got to get more chairs, David said.
No, Scooter said softly.
It should have been a perfect holiday tableau: a family opening their doors to stranded travelers on a cold and stormy Christmas Eve.
But something just wasnt right. It was as if the picture was out of focus.
Everyone just stood there awkwardly. And then, subtly, Quintins face changed.
Kat could see the way he smiled. It was a slow smile. A scary smile.
We need to stay together. All of us, Quintin told them.
Kat felt as if she were staring down at a scene in a play, and someone had forgotten a line.
What in Gods name had tipped everyone off? How had her mother, the soul of trust, figured outand so quicklythat there was something unsavory about their uninvited guests?
And how had the creep, Quintin, realized that her parents were suspicious?
This is my house, David said. Were happy to keep you from freezing to death, but youll behave by my rules in my house.
Cant, sorry, Scooter said. He actually looked a little sad.
Cant, sorry, Scooter said. He actually looked a little sad.
Oh? Come on now, we were just about to have dinner, so lets all honor the spirit of the holiday and sit down together.
Good acting job, Dad, Kat cheered silently, then realized that it hadnt made any difference.
Quintin was staring at her mother. What made you become so mistrustful? Surely youre not a detective, buta psychiatrist, perhaps? No matter. Yes, this is your house. But Im the one with a gun. In fact, my friend Scooter has a gun, too. Neither one of us wants to hurt you, but were outnumbered. Thankfully, you seem to be a nice family. A smart family. So Im sure youll see the wisdom of behaving when I tell you that if any one of you gets out of lineMom here gets it. So the rest of you might be able to take us, but youd go through the rest of your neat little suburban lives without a mom. So we all stay together, he said softly. Cant take any chances. After all, you might have a gun of your own squirreled away somewhere, he said, turning to her father.
Bullshit!
Her father was a big manin good shape, as well. He lunged at Quintin, and her brothers, bless them, followed his lead. But Quintin was fast. He pulled his gun before her father got to him.
Stop now, or Mom is dead! Quintin roared.
The sound of a bullet blasting ripped through the night, followed by the shattering of glass exploding into a thousand pieces, as Scooter took out a lamp.
Nobody move, Quintin said.
Everybody stood still, as ordered. Brenda started to cry.
Shut up! Quinton said.
Frazier put his arm around Brenda, drawing her close to him.
Uncle Paddy seemed the least disturbed of all of them. He seemed to be assessing the invaders with remarkably sober eyes.
No more heroics, Quintin said. Weve given you one chance. Next time, someone dies. Because Im not going to prison again, ever. Id rather die first. And if Im going to die, Ill happily take someone with me. Understand?
Her poor father, Kat thought. She had never seen him in so much agony. His whole family was threatened, and he was powerless.
A sense of panic seized Kat, like a wave of cold that washed over her and left her trembling. For a moment the world went black. She fell back against the wall in an effort to remain vertical as she fought the nausea that seemed to grip her stomach with an icy, merciless hand.
She inhaled deeply and tried to think. Despite their threats, she didnt know if the pair had ever actually murdered anyone. They were probably thieves. On the other hand
They were armed. And they had introduced themselves, she realized with a further wave of nausea. That could only mean that whether theyd killed before or not, they werent planning to leave any witnesses. She shuddered, fear threatening to consume her. She only hoped they hadnt realized just how much danger they were in.
She fought it. She was the only hope her family had.
All right, folks, if were all calm, we can get through this. I want your cell phones. Now, Quintin said.
Jamie and Frazier reached into their pockets. As Jamie handed his over, he said, Theres no service out here now, anyway. Were lucky to stand on the roof and get service even when there isnt a storm.
You never know. Come on, come on, the rest of the cell phones, Quintin said.
David immediately produced his from his pocket.
Mines in my purse, Brenda squeaked.
And where would that be?
Right therethe table by the door, Frazier said.
Get it, Quintin ordered him.
How about you, Mom? Wheres yours?
Dont you call her Mom, Jamie warned.
Jamie David said.
My name is Skyler, her mother told the men.
Fine. Skyler, wheres your phone?
In the kitchen, charging, she said.
And yours, pops? Quintin asked Paddy as Frazier handed over Brendas phone.
I wouldnt be havin one of those new-fangled things, Uncle Paddy said.
Everyone in the entire world has a cell phone, Quintin said.
Id not be the entire world, Paddy said.
Watch it, old man, Quintin warned.
He really doesnt have a cell phone, Frazier interjected.
Quintin eyed him long and hard. Youre a big kid. Feisty, I imagine, like your dad. Dont go playing Superman. I do mean it. You do, and someone will die.
Hes not going to be Superman, Skyler said quickly. None of us will, okay?
Just remember this. I will not go back to prison, Quintin said.
Lets eat, Scooter said cheerfully, and actually gave her father a friendly punch on the shoulder. So how is the missus in the kitchen? Is she a good cook?
Its all right, David, Skyler said softly, when he started tensing. She stared at him, her eyes pleading.
David managed to choke out an answer. Shes a wonderful cook. And you obviously mean what you say, so dont worry. Well cooperate in every way.
Bastards, Uncle Paddy suddenly hissed, thumping his cane for emphasis.
Paddy, quit banging your cane and shut up, her mother snapped. Well have no one dying here tonight. Jamie and Frazier, Scooter can accompany you to the family room. Just grab the bar stoolsIll be happy to sit on one.
Me, too, Brenda chimed in, the tear tracks drying on her cheeks.
Quintin, you can join the rest of us in the kitchen.
Her mother had somehow taken control. Amazing, Kat marveled.
Quintin laughed. Yes, maam. We seem to have ourselves an Irish matriarch here, Scooter. Theres no one fiercer. And shes a fine cook, were told. Good thing, because Im starving. And freezing.
There are sweaters in the hall closet, right over there, Skyler said, pointing. Take off your coats. I dont want you sitting at my table in those filthy coats.
Mom, be careful! Theyll shoot you for sure, Kat thought, her heart sinking.
But Quintin only laughed again. All right. You, he said, indicating Brenda, get the sweaters, so we can all have dinner.
He stared at Brenda, who was staring back at him like a doe caught in the headlights of a speeding car.
Hop to it! Quintin said, and Brenda did.
What about Crai Scooter began, doffing his coat and accepting one of Davids old sweaters.
Later, Quintin said.
But its freezing out, Scooter said.
Later, after dinner.
But
What happens, happens, Quintin said.
What the hell are they talking about? Kat wondered. Who or what is Crai?
Well put your coats in the mudroom, Skyler said, and Kat could see that her mother was trembling as she picked up Scooters discarded coat and tossed it into the small tiled mudroom off one side of the foyer where they were standing.
Ill hang mine, if you dont mind, Quintin said, suiting his actions to the words. Now lets go. Im starving.
He looked up suddenly, and Kat instantly backed even farther into the shadows, her heart thundering. Had he seen her? Apparently not, because he set his hand on Skylers shoulder and repeated, Lets go.
Get your hands off her, David said.
Quintin seemed surprised, but he only smiled. Just remember, everyone on good behavior. Everyone. We keep close together, like a good family, and no one gets hurt.