Joe didn’t answer. He finished the job on the door and pulled out his cell phone. Dialed. Waited.

“What?”

“Xandria, it’s Joe.”

“I know that. Why do you keep calling?”

“Somebody’s here.”

It took Xandria a second longer than it should have to answer. “Who?”

“I don’t know. But I’m pretty sure it’s not the police.”

“It must be the Order of the Dragon,” Xandria said, the surprise in her voice showing a hint of admiration. “How many?”

“Just one,” Joe said. “But he’s not very nice. He blasted us with tear gas. We’re hiding upstairs in the boy’s bedroom.”

“You idiot. Why didn’t you leave the house?”

Joe knew the question was coming. “Because he’d pick us off running out the front door.”

“Is everyone still alive?” Xandria asked.

“For now,” Joe whispered. He looked over to Charlie, who was consoling his grandmother. He noticed for the first time how much the boy looked like his sister’s youngest son. And who did the grandma remind him of? His aunt?

“Make sure they stay alive,” Xandria said. “Especially the boy. His parents will do anything as long as he’s okay.”

“How are things going on the plane?”

“It’s none of your concern,” Xandria snapped. “Just do what you’re paid to do, and everything will be fine.” She hung up.

Joe put away his phone. “Shhhh!” he said to Charlie and Grandma Rose, who weren’t even making any noise. He closed his eyes and listened. The house was still. He focused his ears on the depression of floorboards, the soft clomping of footsteps, the quiet click of a pistol being cocked. But there was nothing.

“Could someone tell me what’s going on?” Grandma Rose demanded.

Joe walked over to the bed and sat down. “You think I’m the bad guy. But you’re wrong. There’s a guy outside that door who’s way worse than me. And if he gets in here, he won’t hesitate in killing us all.”

“Why would someone want to do that?” Charlie asked, picking up his mangled Excalibur. “Did I do something wrong?”

“This isn’t about you,” Joe said. “This is about your parents.”

“Is it because they got divorced?” Charlie asked.

Grandma Rose pulled Charlie back toward her. “No, dear,” she said. “This is happening because your father owes some people a lot of money.”

Joe shook his head. “No, it isn’t! Why’d you tell him that?”

“Because that’s the only thing that makes sense!” Grandma Rose said. “This couldn’t have anything to do with my daughter! She works at a library, for crying out loud!”

“Maybe your daughter isn’t as innocent as you think,” Joe said.