In the next breath, Lacey looped the metal chain over Izzy’s hand that was holding the gun. She twisted and then yanked it down, hard, so that the weapon clattered to the ground.

Lacey was quick to retrieve it, quick to move out of Izzy’s arm’s length.

“Don’t even try, Mia,” Lacey said, without taking her eyes off Izzy. “It’s just blanks.”

It had happened so fast Mia hadn’t had the chance to pull the trigger, but she’d been lining up the sight.

Mia called her potential bluff, a loud crack shattering the silence. But no one fell, no blood spilled. Lacey just grinned at both of them and held up one finger. Then she dug her phone out from where she’d tucked it into the waistband of her leggings. It was lit up, and Mia got a glimpse of squiggly, electric lines. She’d been recording the exchange.

Lacey pressed stop.

“Just need to cut the end bit off,” Lacey said to herself. “But that won’t show up as tinkering when the tech guys check it.”

“What?” Izzy was a step behind, but Mia could see what Lacey was planning. It was almost brilliant.

“I’m going to shoot you, Izzy,” Mia said, her voice devoid of all emotion. Izzy flinched, her eyes going to the weapon, even though she knew there weren’t actual bullets in the gun. Instinct. “And you’ll have no choice but to take me out. Tragically, your wound will prove fatal.”

Lacey did a silly little clap, her eyes lighting up, before aiming the gun at Izzy’s chest once more. “See, Mia. That’s why you’re my masterpiece.”

Shame spread across Izzy’s cheeks, a red stain obvious even across the room. It did nothing to ease the anger shredding Mia’s control. “Why the hell didn’t you believe me?”

“Oh, don’t be too harsh, darling,” Lacey said, her voice honeyed, gleeful, clearly reveling in Mia’s near tantrum. “Lesser souls have fallen prey. It’s just so easy, don’t you see? Barely even a challenge anymore. Though, I have to admit, this was particularly fun.”

Lacey pointed the gun at her. “Detective, if you would so kindly cuff yourself. And then be a dear and step closer to Mia over here.”

Izzy didn’t even put up a fight, simply stepped around the sofa until she was all but shoulder to shoulder with Mia, locking the metal around her wrists as she went.

The docile response was the first thing that slipped through Mia’s haze of rage. It was strange. There wasn’t even a quip to accompany Izzy’s surrender.