Joe backs up, but my friends aren’t backing down. He’s taking me toward the gate. Kevin runs around the table next to Grace. They’re fighting with each other now. She’s trying to get to me, and he’s trying to put himself in front of her. Trying to get to Joe at the same time.

Another foot toward the gate. I dig my heels in. If he gets me in a car with him, I’m dead.

“Don’t interfere,” he says, in his loud cop voice. “You’re obstructing a police investigation.”

“You’re lying to us, man,” says Kevin. “You can’t do this.”

“Ms. Mendoza is under arrest.”

“No, I’m not.”

“You’re coming with me,” he growls into my ear. “You want your friends to live? You make them stop. You make them stand down, Jane. If they come one step closer, you’re responsible for their deaths.”

My heart’s beating so fast I’m afraid it will stop completely.

I can’t fight him in here. I can’t fight him on this patio. Other people will get hurt. He means what he’s saying. He’ll shoot Grace and Kevin. And even if everyone else from our group survives, it will never be over for them. It’ll hang over their heads.

Not here.

“Guys.” I use my calmest voice. “Stop. I’m telling you. Stop walking.”

Grace’s mouth drops open. “Jane.”

“Stop walking. Let me go. Grace. You have to let me go.”

They stop, but Kevin’s got both hands wrapped around Grace’s arm. He thinks this is wrong. It is wrong. Nothing about this situation is right. But if I can keep them alive, then that’s what I’ll do. That’s what I have to do. Joe Causey’s not going to kill anyone else.

I’ll be the only one.

I let him take me backward through the gate. The parking lot out back is adjacent to a narrow street. Joe picks up the pace. His fingers dig into my arm so hard I cry out.

“Shut up,” he snaps. “Shut your goddamn mouth.”

I can see where he’s parked. See his car. That’s where I die.

That car is where I die.

I feel the same calm I felt in the fire. I knew I was going to die then, too. I just knew. And this time, there aren’t going to be any second chances to be wrong.

This is it.

He’s too strong. My body knows, even if my mind doesn’t. Joe is too strong. If I try to slow him down too much, he’ll retaliate by shooting my friends. Deep down, I know it will be a pointless struggle. He’s out of his mind with the trial and bloodlust.

We reach the car.