Emily Locke 01 - Final Approach

Casey tighter. “Give her to me.”
    She tossed her head so her blond hair fell behind her shoulders.
    “First, the locker key.” She extended an open palm.
    I dug in my pants pocket for the key and dropped it into her hand. “Once the kids are safe, I’ll tell you where to find the rest of the cash.”
    She turned and walked up the steps. When she got to the door, she held it open, and called inside. There was no answer.
    “Come on!” she called again, and a defiant, “No!” came back.
    The voice was small but willful. I darted for the stairs, holding Casey close against my chest, and fought to keep my feet from slipping across the saturated ground. My vision was blurred from tears before I reached the porch.
    “No!” I heard again, and Trish stomped inside. When I got to the door, she was suddenly back, first tugging at a delicate wrist, then yanking it hard. A crying little girl appeared from behind the door, pushing and writhing with all her might.
    “Let her go!” I shoved Trish with my free hand.
    She released her grasp, and Annette stared up at me, wide-eyed. Time had sculpted her to look even more like Jack than I remembered. I dropped to my knees.
    “Come here, baby.” And—miracle of miracles—she did. I pulled her close.
    Her skin radiated warmth and her clothes were damp with sweat. I ran a hand over her beautiful cheek. Blond bangs stuck to her forehead in a wet cluster. She was shaking. I kissed her.
    “We’re leaving,” I told her softly, and hoped she’d find something comforting in me.
    Dark, full lashes lined her eyes now. I’d missed all the subtle changes that had transformed her from a baby to a child. She nodded with more maturity than I thought a five-year-old would have, then placed a tiny hand on Casey’s back. She dropped her head and kissed him on his cheek.
    I stood and led her down the steps. She had gorgeous, thick pigtails and her hair was the color of straw, like her dad’s.
    As we walked from the cabin, she looked over her shoulder. “I don’t like that lady. She’s mean.”
    My baby had more courage than I had. I couldn’t look back.
    “I don’t like her either, sweetheart.” With a gentle press on her head, I redirected her attention to the car. “Let’s get in.”
    I let her silky pigtail slip through my fingers. It was impossible not to stare at her.
    “Are you taking me home?” she asked.
    I could only stroke her cheek in response.
    The woods flared in a sudden pulse of brightness. Headlights.
    I’d been so focused on Annette that I hadn’t noticed a car coming from the main road.
    I whirled to Trish. “What’s going on?”
    The lights grew closer, faster, their beams bounding with each dip in the path.
    Trish folded her arms across her chest. “You said you’d keep our deal between us,” she said. “But I know you lied.”
    Annette tugged on my hand. “What’s happening?”
    The vehicle pulled up behind my car and stopped so suddenly the front end dipped. It was a white, full size van with tinted windows. The driver’s door flung open.
    “The car that took me!” Annette’s squeal startled Casey so badly he jumped. I had to use both hands to keep him from falling backward. Annette clutched my leg. I shifted the baby and freed a hand for Annette. She turned her face into my hip.
    I recognized the driver; it was Kurt, the man who’d attacked me on the plane the night before. He stepped from the van, pursed his lips in a smug grin, and leaned on the fender.
    Trish said, “Tell me the locker location.”
    “When the kids are safe,” I insisted. “Not before.”
    Annette began to sob.
    Trish nodded to Kurt. I followed her gaze, and watched him slide a jacket panel back far enough to reveal a gun. I looked at Trish again.
    “Change of plans. Sorry to damper your reunion.”
    Her eyes flashed at Kurt. I caught a shared smile.
    “Give me the kids,” Kurt said. He motioned for me to pass the baby.
    “Go to hell.”
    Annette raised her head, chin trembling. Her eyes darted fervently, as if searching for something or someone to make her world good and safe again.
    “You and I are going for a walk, Emily,” Trish said. “Kurt will baby-sit.”
    Annette began to cry and pressed into my leg until I nearly stumbled. Soon her sobs grew so hard her whole body shook.
    “I’m not going anywhere without her!”
    I held her to my side. Casey began to cry.
    Trish smirked. “I was very clear about what would happen if you told other