The gunshot exploded and Miguel slumped to the floor.

“Miguel!” Lane screamed. She rushed to his side. “Miguel!”

“Well, now.” Annika walked over to them and winced as she knelt down to look in Lane’s eyes. “It appears you’re responsible for the deaths of two men who tried to save you. Quite a reputation.”

A soft groan slid from Miguel’s lips. Lane’s throat tightened as tears spilled over her cheeks. “I’m right here, Miguel.”

“What are you waiting for?” Annika barked at Benito. “Kill her.”

Benito strolled over to the duffel bag with the money and passports inside. “Are you planning a trip?”

Annika’s face paled. “Just tying up loose ends.”

“I stopped by the gallery today. I was curious why Mr. Nawabi has not yet received his product. Curious why your gallery has piqued the interest of the DEA. Curious to find you here with bags of money asking about a painting that doesn’t belong to you.”

“The painting was stolen and I was going to use this money to pay for more product. For Mr. Nawabi,” Annika spoke quickly. “You have no reason not to trust me, Benito.”

“I have every reason not to trust you. Your loose ends have been bad for business.”

“Benito—”

Gunshots echoed and Lane screamed. The murderous look in Annika’s eyes was replaced with a blank expression as her body dropped.

“It has been my experience that rats caught in the corner tend to bite the hand that feeds them.”

Lane choked on a sob. Miguel didn’t move. A puddle of Annika’s blood stretched across the floor. Lane closed her eyes and brought to mind the images of everyone she loved. If this was going to be her last moment on earth, then she wanted her last thoughts to be filled with all the reasons she had to live. God, forgive me for waiting so long to find my purpose.

Charlie’s body went rigid at the sound of gunshots. Oh, God, I’m too late. “Call in Code 25. Shots fired.”

“Wait,” Frost whispered. “We need backup.”

There was no time to wait. Charlie drew his gun and sprinted toward the Benedict House. The moon slipped behind some clouds and shrouded the landscape in darkness. A dim light shone from the windows.

A twig snapped behind him and Charlie swung his aim around.

“Whoa.” Frost held his hands up. “Backup’s coming.”

“I almost shot you,” he hissed. “What’re you doing?”

“I came to help.” Frost went to push up his glasses when he realized they weren’t there. “I have an astigmatism. I can still see without my glasses.”