The chains jangled as Cutty and Percy worked fast, fixing them to a shackle theyd secured to their ankles, grunting as they looped them around the joists in the ceiling and a naked, load-bearing beam.
Padlocks clicked.
Then the three invaders moved the snow tires for Dans car. She always hated that hed stored them in the already cramped laundry room, and now the men moved the tires toward Lori and Billy, building a makeshift wall. The rubbery smell was strong. Atop the tires, they piled dusty cushions from the old sofa at the other end of the basement, then worked together to heave the washer and dryer closer to them, pulling the hoses taut.
Why?
The answer suddenly dawned on Lori. The men were building a barrier to absorb an explosion-something to protect themselves if they detonated the bombs while they were still in the house.
She blinked rapidly, struggling to process the reality of the situation.
Thorne moved close to Lori, lowering himself until he was squatting before her. He drew his horrible mask to within an inch of her face.
You deserve whats going to happen to you.
Without another word, Thorne and the others left. They switched off the lights at the top of the stairs and closed the door.
In the cool darkness Lori felt the warmth of Billys body against hers. How could anyone deserve this? Billy was crying softly. She could hear his muffled calling for Sam. As she nestled closer to comfort him, she tasted the salt of her own tears that had seeped under the tape covering her mouth. Her eyes adjusted to the dim basement light and she searched through the cracks of their crude enclosure for any sign of their dog that might reassure Billy. She couldnt find anything, and she hoped hed managed to escape through his door in the kitchen. She was suddenly thankful for her bad habit of leaving it unlocked.
Loris attention went to the basement window, the night sky and a corner of the Millers roof next door.
Lori thought of Grant and Monica Miller sleeping peacefully a few feet away, unaware of the horror playing out in the house beside them. Grant was a mechanic, Monica a nurse. They had little girls. Grant had loaned Dan his generator when they lost electricity in that storm last month. In the spring, Monica had come over to check on Billy when he was running a fever. The Millers were the kind of people whod go out of their way to help you.
Theyd call the police, if they only knew.
In the Tudor home across the street, their neighbors were Ward and Violet Selway, a retired couple. The kindest people you could ever meet. Ward had been an accountant years ago. Violet had managed a clothing store at the Roseoak Mall. Their son lived in Oregon and they spent winters in Clearwater, Florida. Lori had always admired their beautiful yard, and Ward would give her gardening tips. Violet was always baking cookies to share with Billy.
Oh God, if our neighbors only knew!
Lori ached to wake from this nightmare and return to the normal life theyd been living less than an hour ago. It wasnt perfect, but theyd been doing okay since everything theyd been through in California. Theyd finally been moving on.
Loris attention shifted to the storage area on the far side of the basement. Pieces of our lives. There was the closet filled with clothes, Dans old shirts and suits and some things of her own. Things she was certain shed never wear again. Why do I keep them?
But she knew the answer. Because of Tim. She reminded herself she had to give all that stuff away, as if any of that mattered at this moment.
Beside the closet was a shelving unit jammed with boxes of board games, lamps, radios, computer keyboards, extension cords, cables and replacement bulbs for the Christmas tree. Rows of old books and stacks of ancient magazines cluttered the rest of it, along with photo albums containing a record of every year of their lives.
Except for
Lori shuddered. Stress had always been a trigger for these memories, pulling her back to a darker time. In a flash she saw herself
Sitting in the street, covered with blood, helpless to do anything
Up until then she had been a whole person-a confident, strong woman who could handle anything the world could throw at her.
Until that night six years ago.
Lori flinched at the sound of movement above them, snapping her mind back to reality.
Up until then she had been a whole person-a confident, strong woman who could handle anything the world could throw at her.
Until that night six years ago.
Lori flinched at the sound of movement above them, snapping her mind back to reality.
She was as familiar with the noises and rhythms of her home as she was with the back of her hand. The strain and measured creaking of the floor indicated that the men had gone to the top floor. Maybe theyve taken Dan back to the bedroom? Soon, more groans and squeaking indicated the invaders had returned to the main floor. Next she heard muffled conversations, though she couldnt make out the words. But as the voices echoed through the vent nearby, Lori guessed they were discussing a strategy. No matter what their plan was, she didnt believe it included letting her family live.
She pressed her cheek to the top of Billys head, then examined their vests more closely. There was a small red light blinking from a battery pack on each of them, flashing in time with her heart, ticking down, second by second.
4
Roseoak Park, New York
Dans heart hammered against his rib cage.
He stared at the ceiling, his hands bound and his mouth still covered with tape. His feet were now chained to the footboard of his bed. He wrenched against the shackles until the metal cut into his skin, drawing a rebuke from Percy, the captor guarding him.
You need to be sharp in the morning. Be smart and sleep.
How could he sleep knowing bombs were strapped to his wife and son? Again, Dan raged against the chains, but they held him firmly in place, and soon he slumped back into the mattress, exhausted and defeated.
These animals invade my home and what do I do? Do I protect my family and fight? No, I watch them become weapons.
The images of Lori and Billy in suicide vests tormented him. Each passing second threatened an explosion that would kill the two people he loved most in this world.
As the hours slipped by, the quiet of their suburb mocked the reality of his situation. His pulse roared in his ears. No matter how hard Dan tried to find a way to fight back, he came up empty.
Its because Im a coward.
Once hed been a trained soldier, a weekend warrior with the California National Guard. But that was years ago. The only action hed seen was wildfires and mudslides. He hadnt been deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq, like other units whod been tested in battle. Hed often been told he was on standby to go-and during those weeks tension had knotted his stomach.
Because deep down, he was afraid.
It wasnt the risk of dying that had overwhelmed him; hed accepted that being a soldier might mean not coming back. In fact, coming back was what actually terrified him, the possibility of being permanently damaged-not just physically, but mentally-and not being able to deal with it. Hed never told anyone about his secret relief at not being deployed.
Now he was being tested again, and he was failing.
His home was under attack and hed done nothing to stop it.
Trained soldier, my ass.
He didnt even have a gun in the house because Lori didnt want one. Dan understood. After everything shed already been through and the price shed paid, she was justified to feel that way. And back then, in her time of crisis, shed taken action. His faced burned with shame, knowing she was stronger than he was.
A bark from somewhere outside made him think of his neighbors. Theyd know what to do if they were in his shoes.
Miller, a mechanic covered in tattoos-that guy could fix anything, and Dan knew he wouldve fought back against these men. So would Ward, a retired accountant whod done two tours in Vietnam.
Thats the kind of men they are.
Dan stared at the ceiling.
The seconds ticked by.
And what kind of man am I?
By sunrise Dan was grasping for hope, telling himself that his chance to act might come later, and he had to be ready for it.
After hours of dark silence, he jumped when the door opened and Vic kicked his bed.
Time to get ready.
As Percy unshackled Dans feet, Vic stood over him.
You look like hell. Get up.
Dan stood, but shakily. His head was still sore from being pistol-whipped.
Youre going to go through your routine like this was a normal day, Vic said. Were going to free your hands and mouth first. Youre going to shower, shave, get dressed, have breakfast and go to work like any other day, and youre going to follow our instructions to the letter.
Vic motioned toward Percy, who held up a cell phone.
If you try anything, anything at all, Percy will hit Send on a speed dial number and your wife and son are gone. There are no second chances. You got that?
When Dan nodded, they removed the tape from his wrists and mouth.
As soon as his mouth was free, Dan rushed to speak. Please-I want to see my wife and son.
Vic held up another phone, showing a grainy video of Lori and Billy, bound and afraid. Given the quality, Dan couldnt determine where they were, if it was real time or recorded.
When was this taken? How do I know theyre still alive?
Thats all you get!
Vic pulled the phone away before they forced Dan into the bathroom, leaving the door open. As they stood guard with their guns, they watched him relieve himself and then climb into the shower. His body was stiff and numb from being tied up all night, and he welcomed the needles of hot water, bringing back some of his adrenaline from earlier. He kept his thoughts on Lori and Billy, praying they were still safe.
Stepping from the shower, he glanced at Percy, who passed him a towel. After drying himself, Dan wiped steam from the mirror and lathered his face. His hand shook as he shaved, nicking his chin with the razor. He stemmed the blood with a dot of toilet paper then put a bandage on his temple where hed been struck with the gun.
After shoving Dans robe at him, the men took him to the kitchen where they watched him gulp two cups of black coffee and forced him to eat a bagel. It would be a long day, and they didnt need him hungry and light-headed. We dont want your stomach growling at the bank.