This is my chance. The second Cullen answers the door, I need to run toward it. Make my escape. Richard knows this too. It’s why he’s lined himself up to cut me off. Just in case I try.

Cullen opens the door, and light floods the house. Emi throws her shoulder into the heavy wood and shoves a microphone into Cullen’s face. “Cullen Henking, how hard was it for you to witness tonight’s attack?” Cullen tries pushing her out, closing the door, but Emi wedges herself against it, blocking it.

Emi surveys the house. She grabs her cameraman, who turns the camera on me. “We’re live here inside Mayor Henking’s home, where we’ve just learned Cullen Henking and Lia Finch were witnesses to tonight’s fatal attack.”

Cullen strains to drive them out, but he can’t close the door. Richard turns to intercept.

In a few moments, the door will be shut. Emi and the cameraman gone. I’ll never make it out the front. They’ll block me before I get there. Instead, I step backward, searching for an exit.

Cullen and Richard are distracted by Emi.

I step back again, testing their response. When neither of them glances my way, I spin and run. My feet smack the hardwood floors. I don’t look back. I race. Faster. Past the windows, I turn left into a breakfast room. There are double doors along the far wall. I skirt the table and lunge for them. Jerk the handle. It doesn’t open.

I fumble with the lock as footsteps thump behind me. Closing in.

The lock clicks. I wrench open the door and take off into the night.

Waves hiss and crash onto the shore. The noise is overwhelming. I jump off the mayor’s porch, landing on my hip with a thud. Sprawled on their lawn, I gather myself, scramble to my feet, and take off. The cold assaults my lungs. Wind whips the panels of my dress around my legs as I sprint through wet grass.

Behind me, steps pound against the porch. Richard’s or Cullen’s, I can’t tell. But he’s after me. Not far.

I veer right. Around the house. Toward Emi. “Here,” I scream, hoping I’m louder than the wind, the waves, the traffic on Lake Shore Drive.

Clearing the corner, my face smacks a tree branch. I slip and fall backward.

Scurrying, I flip to my hands and knees. As I do, someone grabs my ankle, yanking me back.

I scream, clawing at the grass and dirt. Richard’s hands grab my leg like a rope, and he drags me away from Emi and any chance at rescue.

Twisting my body, I swing my other leg around, kicking Richard in the face with my heel. He jerks back, releasing me.