Nora Fields said, “I have a question. If it’s out of order, just say so, but I have to wonder. The authorities have managed to bring half of the twelve to justice. Does anyone else feel the same relief I do? I mean, half are accounted for. The other six must know that. Won’t they be living in fear for the rest of their lives, too scared to do anything to harm our town again, or to harm anyone else?”

Leah said, “It’s a good question, and I’ve spent some time thinking about it. My opinion is that it wouldn’t work that way. We know who the other six men are. They’ve all been convicted of doing terrible things for money when they were young and poor, and more terrible things after they’d gotten rich, and more when they were broke again. They all killed people four miles from here to escape from prison, and killed more people here in town after they were free and could have just driven past the exit and stayed on the highway to the interstate. I don’t think any of them is someone who is likely to change now. Just like you, I feel better since we got the news, but I won’t feel sure it’s over until we hear they’re all in jail or dead.”

There was a sudden shout from the hallway outside the door, and then more shouts, men’s voices roaring in anger, and then three loud bangs that could only be gunfire. The shots echoed off the high ceilings and marble floor, and out of the echo came the sound of running feet.

Leah was up and at the door, her right hand automatically reaching for her pistol, but not finding it. She opened the door a crack and looked out, and what she saw was terrible. Sergeant Munson was down beside the metal detector, not moving, and she could see blood pooling around him. The rest of the scene was filled with motion, a half dozen men in dark clothes and ski masks sprinting up the hall toward the chamber.

She slammed the door, turned the lock, and called to the others, “Take cover behind the desks in the chamber.” She pointed at the semicircle of wooden desks marked with placards carrying their names used for public meetings. She pushed Nora Fields and Nell Hoagland in the right direction.

There was a loud thud as something heavy hit the locked door. It seemed to be the sound of one or two men hurling their shoulders against it. The old oak door didn’t budge.

Leah shouted, “Get down!” at the people who were still standing by the desks, and ducked down herself. As she did, she snatched the letter opener from the mayor’s desk set.