Last to Die

alerted them. Through the door of their cell, Claire heard Bear start to howl again, loud enough to echo through the wine cellar and funnel up the stairs. She did not know what had set him off. Maybe he understood that their time had run out, that Death was even now making His way down the steps to claim them.
    “He’s coming back,” Claire said.
    In that airless room, she could smell the fear, sharp and electric, the scent of animals awaiting slaughter. Will pressed closer to her, his flesh moist with sweat. He had finally worked the tape off his mouth, and now he leaned in and whispered to her:
    “Get behind me and stay down, Claire. Whatever happens, just play dead.”
    “What are you doing?”
    “I’m trying to protect you.”
    “Why?”
    “Don’t you know why?” He looked at her, and even though this was the same chubby, spotty Will she knew so well, she saw something new in his eyes, something she hadn’t noticed before. It was shining there so brightly it could not be missed. “I won’t get another chance to say this,” he whispered. “But I want you to know that …”
    The padlock clanged. They both froze as the door squealed open and they saw the barrel of a gun, clutched in gloved hands. The weapon swept an arc around the room, as though seeking a target, and not finding it.
    A man with a shaved head stepped into the room and called out, “He’s not in here! But the others are.”
    Now a woman entered, sleek and graceful, her hair hidden under a watch cap. “That dog had to be howling at something down here,” she said. They stood side by side, two invaders clad all in black, surveying the room of bound prisoners. The woman’s gaze fell on Claire, and she said: “We’ve met before. Do you remember, Claire?”
    Staring up at the woman, Claire suddenly thought of headlights rushing toward her. Remembered the night turning upside down and the sound of shattering glass and gunshots. And she remembered the guardian angel who had magically appeared to pull her from that ruined car.
    Take my hand, Claire. If you want to live
.
    The woman turned to Will, who was staring openmouthed. “And we’ve met, too, Will.”
    “You were there,” he murmured. “You’re the one …”
    “Someone had to save you.” She pulled out a knife. “Now I need to know where that man is.” She held up the blade, as though offering it as a reward for their cooperation.
    “Cut me free,” snapped Sansone, “and I’ll help you take him down.”
    “Sorry, but this game’s not for civilians,” the woman said. She looked around at the faces. “What about Teddy? Does anyone know where he is?”
    “Screw Teddy,” said Claire. “He’s a traitor. He led us into this trap.”
    “Teddy doesn’t know what he’s doing,” the woman said. “He’s been lied to, corrupted. Help me save him.”
    “He won’t come out. He’s hiding.”
    “Do you know where?”
    “On the roof,” said Claire. “That’s where he’s supposed to wait.”
    The woman glanced at her partner. “Then we’ll have to go up and get him.” Instead of freeing Sansone, the woman knelt down behind Claire and sliced her bonds. “You can help us, Claire.”
    With a gasp of relief, Claire rubbed her wrists, felt the welcome rush of blood into her hands. “How?”
    “You’re his classmate. He’ll listen to you.”
    “He won’t listen to any of us,” said Will. “He’s helping that man.”
    “
That man
,” the woman said, turning to Will, “is here to kill you. To kill all of us. I’ve spent three years trying to catch him.” She looked at Claire. “How do we get to the roof?”
    “There’s a door. In the turret.”
    “Take us there.” The woman yanked Claire to her feet.
    “What about them?” Claire said, pointing to the others.
    The woman tossed the knife on the floor. “They can cut themselves free. But they have to stay here. It’s safer.”
    “What?” Claire protested as the woman pulled her out of the room.
    “I can’t have them getting in the way.” The woman swung the door shut.
    Inside the room, Sansone was cursing, shouting. “
Open the door!
”
    “It’s not right,” insisted Claire. “Leaving them all locked up.”
    “It’s what I need to do. It’s best for them, best for everyone. Including Teddy.”
    “I don’t care about Teddy.”
    “But I do.” The woman gave Claire a hard shake. “Now take us to the turret.”
    They climbed out of the wine cellar into the kitchen, where Bear