“We don’t know,” Amber said. “Just some kid. He didn’t know what he was stealing, he just stole it.”

Betty shook her head. “That’s unfortunate. It really is.” She held Austin at arm’s length and her finger started to tighten on the trigger.

“I know!” Austin said. “I know who it is!”

Betty raised an eyebrow. “You do?”

“Yes! The kid with the birthmark! I know his name! I know where he lives!”

Betty lowered the gun, and hunkered down, smiling at him. “And can you take us there, young man?”

Austin nodded.

“What’s your name?”

“Austin.”

“Hello, Austin. I’m Betty. That’s my husband Bill, and these are our friends. Would you like to help us get this key? If you do, I promise I won’t kill you. Cross my heart.”

Austin nodded again.

“How about that?” said Bill. “We have a peaceful resolution for once, if you discount the dead old man. We’re going to take Austin here, and we’re going to take the van, and we’re going to retrieve this wonderful key we’ve been hearing so much about. And none of you are going to follow us, because if we’ve timed it correctly and the police in this town are even half as efficient as we’ve heard …”

The sound of cars, approaching fast. Headlights.

“Someone must have tipped them off,” said Betty, smiling. “We’ll take our leave of you now.”

They all started moving backwards towards the van. Grant adjusted his hold on Amber, using her as a shield in case Milo started shooting, but there was space between them now, space to move. His overconfidence had left him open. Vulnerable. If Amber didn’t make a move now, all would be lost, so she turned her fingers to claws and she swiped.

He didn’t see her arm move, his black scales had no time to form, and she ripped his throat out as easily as slapping him.

He let go of her and let go of his gun and stumbled, hands at his throat, his eyes wide and his blood pumping. Kirsty screamed and Amber threw Grant’s gun to Milo, who caught it in his left hand as he fired his own gun with his right.

Betty pulled Austin into the van and Bill jumped in behind the wheel and suddenly there were cruisers speeding towards them and the air was filled with screaming and gunshots and sirens, and the cruisers skidded and the van lurched, wheels spinning, and Austin was crying for help, but the world was a jumble and Amber tripped over Grant’s leg, almost fell.