Page 131 of Veil of Silence

“It’s over, Zander. Set the gun on the ground, release the boy, and step away.”

Cross looked from the departing vehicle to Harris then to Christian.

His breathing quickened. His grip tightened around Preston, and his gaze jerked between the surrounding trees as if searching for an escape route that no longer existed.

Then he raised the gun.

Not toward Harris.

Toward Nora.

Harris’s shout reached Austin before he saw the creek.

“Nora, get down!”

The warning cut through the rush of water and the shepherd barking somewhere behind him. Austin plunged through the wet undergrowth with Prine and Nash close behind, branches snapping against his jacket.

Then the trees opened.

Cross stood at the near end of a narrow footbridge with one arm locked around Preston. His other hand held a gun aimed directly at Nora.

She stood several yards in front of the gray SUV, caught in the open with no cover close enough to reach.

Austin raised his weapon. “Cross!”

Cross turned his head.

The distraction lasted less than a second, but Harris used it to move between Nora and the bridge. He kept his own gun trained on Cross while shielding her with his body.

Austin took cover behind a tree at the edge of the clearing. “Put it down.”

Cross shifted Preston more securely against him then motioned toward Christian with the gun. “In front of me.”

Christian obeyed.

He stepped between Cross and the officers, placing himself directly in their line of fire. Preston remained trapped against Cross’s chest, his small hands gripping the sleeve across his body.

“Take the shot,” Cross called. “See who you hit first.”

Austin adjusted his aim, searching for a clear angle.

There wasn’t one.

Cross might be new to Luke’s department, but he knew exactly how to use two hostages to eliminate every safe shot.

Christian stood motionless in front of him. His arms hung at his sides, and he stared past Austin as if the voices around him came from somewhere far away.

The bruising on his face looked fresh. Mud covered his clothes, and blood darkened one sleeve near the elbow. Whatever control Cross held over him hadn’t come without force.

Nash slipped into the trees downstream while Luke and two deputies spread out upstream. Prine remained near Austin, using a broad oak for cover.

Within seconds, officers had closed off the clearing.

Cross saw them repositioning. His arm tightened around Preston, and his gaze darted toward the opposite bank.

Beyond the footbridge, the dark vehicle continued backing down the rutted road. Its tires threw mud as it gained speed and disappeared behind the trees.

Whoever waited across the creek had decided Cross was no longer worth saving.