“We do. And serial killers and psychos of all descriptions. Desolation Hill draws them in, but these last few days we’ve seen the numbers grow. Because of her.” Lucy was looking at Amber.

“And you take care of them,” said Kelly. “Demon cops, protecting their community. And what about the child murders? What do you do about them?”

Lucy’s face turned stony. “What child murders?”

“For the sacrifice,” said Amber. “To keep Naberius going, to keep him supplying the town with power.”

“One a year,” said Kelly. “Or hadn’t you noticed that?”

“Lot of people go missing,” Lucy said. “Not just in this town. In every town. Kids, too. It doesn’t mean they’ve—”

“Do you know where the Narrow Man keeps the kids he takes?”

The words dried up in Lucy’s mouth. Then she shook her head. “The Narrow Man is an urban legend. He’s not real.”

“He’s taken another one,” Kelly said. “Austin Cooke. Snatched him right out of his bedroom because the town voted for it.”

“No,” said Lucy, “Austin Cooke ran away. He was being bullied and he … he ran away. The voting thing is a scare tactic to keep little kids from misbehaving.”

Kelly stepped right up to her. “I’m sure Austin was suitably terrified when the Narrow Man came for him.”

“I don’t know anything about that,” Lucy said, shoving Kelly backwards.

“Where does he keep them?”

“He’s not real!” she shouted.

“Where does he keep them?”

“He doesn’t exist!”

“Where does he keep them?”

“I don’t know!”

They looked at her.

She snarled. “You don’t think we want to stop him? Me, the others … But Novak won’t hear of it, and he’s our Chief. He gives the orders, we carry them out.”

“You’re not carrying out his orders right now,” said Amber.

“And I’m regretting that,” said Lucy. “Just like I’m regretting helping you out against the Hounds. But hey, shit happens. You’re gonna get in that car of yours, that goddamn evil car, and you’re gonna pick up your friend and get the hell out of town. And you,” Lucy said to Kelly, “you’re gonna do the same. You think Novak or any of my fellow officers are gonna let you off with a caution if they catch you? You’re dead. Understand that? They’re gonna put you down, all of you. Go. Get out of here. And if I see you again? I’ll shoot you on sight.”

Chapter 29

AMBER WOKE ON A couch with a blanket over her head.