She was ready for this. “How do you know I’m telling the truth?” she asked. “How do you know the key really is where I say it is?”

“Our daughter is too smart for you, Grant,” Betty chuckled.

Grant said nothing in response, but he didn’t look happy. Kelly gave Amber’s arm a squeeze, but apart from that she showed no signs of consciousness. Amber didn’t respond to the squeeze, and continued to huff and struggle as they crossed the street.

The lot had three vehicles in it. There was a tow truck parked beside the gate, a rusted heap of crap slowly dissolving in the corner, and the Charger in the middle. It sat in its space like a big cat on its haunches, ready to spring. They stopped before they got too close, and Kirsty held the key out to Bill. He raised an eyebrow.

“If you think I’m going near that thing, you can forget it,” Kirsty said.

“Good point,” he murmured. “Amber, be a good girl and go fetch the magic key, would you?”

Instantly, Amber thought of Phil Daggett’s gun, the one with the silencer, that Milo had dropped into the back seat. It was probably still there. The gun would even the odds. The gun could solve her problems.

“I’ve a better idea,” said Betty, like she knew just what Amber was thinking. She yanked Kelly from Amber’s arms and Kelly cried out. “We’ll send this one instead.” She grabbed a handful of Kelly’s hair, and twisted. “Go to the car, whatever-your-name-is. In the glove box – Amber, the key’s in the glove box, isn’t it? – in the glove box you’ll find a key. If that glove box doesn’t grow teeth and bite your hand off, bring the key back to us and I promise we’ll let you walk away. Do you think you can manage all that?”

Kelly had her jaw clenched. “Sure.”

Betty smiled beautifully. “Good. Off you go.”

Betty released her. Kirsty tossed Kelly the car key and Kelly started for the Charger.

“What the hell is going on here?”

Amber was the first to turn, the first to see Officer Thornton – Lucy – standing there, a look of alarm on her face and her hand on the butt of her gun.

Bill raised his hands slowly, and smiled. “Good evening, Officer,” he said. “We were wondering—”

“Shut up,” Lucy said, scanning their faces. She saw Amber and her frown deepened. “Oh goddammit.”

Betty stepped towards her, hands open and palms up. “We just came to bring our daughter home, Officer,” she said.

“Stop walking,” Lucy said. “I mean it, lady, stop walking this instant.”

Betty stopped. “Of course, Officer. Whatever you say.”

“I’d like to make a complaint, actually,” Grant said. “These people stole my car.”

“That’s a lie,” said Bill.