Page 188 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

Hannah lowered her voice to a whisper. “I saw Daniel. Todd was trying to get up off the floor.” She was taking deep breaths now.

“Take your time,” Sabre said.

“Todd tried to get up, but Daniel picked up a wine bottle and hit him on the back of the head. He fell back down and just laid there, real still.”

Rourke was a killer too! “What did Daniel do then?”

“He left. He never knew I was there.” She took a deep breath. “You have to help Bay, like you helped me when I was young.”

Sabre’s heart ached. She wished she could’ve saved her from Rourke.

“I can help her, but you’ll have to help me.”

“I know she’s scared,” Hannah whispered. “She thinks everybody leaves. And now she’s alone.”

“She’s not alone. She has us, and we’re not going to let anything happen to her.”

“I can see him,” Hannah said.

Sabre turned in her chair. Across the street near the boardwalk entrance stood Daniel Rourke, his baseball cap low, hands in his pockets, watching them.

The second his eyes met Sabre’s, he gave the slightest shake of his head toward Hannah.

The girl’s entire body tightened. “He saw them,” she whispered, panic in her eyes. “We have to go.”

Hannah shoved back from the table so fast the chair scraped sharply. Nearby customers looked over.

Across the street, Rourke started backing toward the boardwalk crowd, already on the move.

“Hannah, wait!”

“You weren’t supposed to bring anybody!” Tears filled Hannah’s eyes. “He told me this would happen!”

Rourke lifted one hand. A signal for her to come. Hannah turned toward him.

Sabre gently caught her wrist. “Hannah.” Her voice cracked hard enough to stop her. “You do not have to disappear again.”

Hannah froze.

Across the street, Rourke changed direction and started toward them fast.

JP stepped off the corner near a surf shop and moved toward the patio.

Rourke spotted him immediately, and his expression hardened. He yelled, “Hannah. Now.”

It was a command voice that triggered obedience in Hannah. She physically flinched.

Sabre stepped between them. “No.”

DuBois and Urban were already moving from opposite sides of the street.

Rourke must’ve seen them too. His eyes snapped back to Hannah. He was nearly upon them.

“Hannah,” Sabre cajoled. “You told me you trusted me.”

“I do,” Hannah whispered. She didn’t move.

Her hesitation crushed him. Sabre could see it on his face.