Page 8 of Deadly Forever

“I am not claustrophobic,” Sophie snapped. “Besides, this store is huge. How can you possibly think I’m claustrophobic? I’m not weak.”

“Being claustrophobic doesn’t make you weak,” Mandy said. “As for the size of the store, we’re cramped into a small area together and it’s dark. That enhances feelings of being closed in. I think … .”

“I’m not claustrophobic!” Sophie’s annoyed yell echoed throughout the room, causing Emma to jolt.

“Keep your voice down,” Ally chided, frustration practically dripping from her tongue. “You’ll lead them right to us if you’re not careful.”

“They’re probably gone … or dead,” Sophie muttered, thumping her head against the wall as she made a big show of sinking to the ground. She was determined to eradicate all thoughts of claustrophobia from Mandy’s mind. “We’re just sitting in here twiddling our thumbs when we could be outside enjoying the fresh air.”

“Yeah, you’re not claustrophobic or anything at all,” Mandy said, patting Sophie’s arm as she crawled through the doorway and into the main part of the store. “I’ll never accuse you of being claustrophobic again. You have my word.”

“Oh, I’m never going to hear the end of this now,” Sophie muttered, crossing her arms over her chest. “You know I don’t believe you, right? Teasing is the Hardy way. You won’t be able to help yourself.”

“Mandy, where are you going?” Ally asked. “You’re not supposed to leave.”

“I’m not leaving,” Mandy replied, remaining on her hands and knees as she peered around a dress rack. “I’m just trying to see if I can see any movement on the other side of the display windows.”

“Can you?”

“I’m not sure,” Mandy hedged, narrowing her eyes. “I don’t think so unless … wait … I see something.”

The women froze, the only sound in the room belonging to them as they tried to breathe quietly. Mandy didn’t move so much as a finger for what felt like forever, and then she finally heaved out a sigh.

“I guess it was nothing,” Mandy said, her smile rueful as her heartbeat returned to normal.

“Oh, I wouldn’t say nothing.”

The new voice was male and close – like right next to her close – and when Mandy shifted her eyes to the right she saw a dark figure detaching from one of the other display racks. The sight of the shadowy figure – the limited light showing Mandy that the individual was wearing a knit ski mask – was enough to make Mandy’s blood run cold.

“Hello, blondie,” the man said. He was clearly enjoying himself. “I think I lucked out when I decided to take my final stand in here with you, huh?”

Mandy swallowed hard. “Uh-oh.”

“THERE’S the bridal shop.”

James’ heart flooded with hope when he saw the white dresses in the display window. The fact that the door to the store remained open – and nothing looked out of place between the security pillars – only added to his relief. Everything inside looked quiet, but it was dark in the back of the store and his sight was limited.

“We haven’t found the fourth gunman yet,” one of the deputies reminded him. “We’re supposed to remain in formation until we do.”

“Yes, but my wife is in there,” James said. “Plus, we have to search all of the stores anyway. Jake and I will take that one.”

“We’re supposed to do it in an orderly fashion.”

Jake put his hand on the deputy’s arm and gave him a small headshake. “Don’t argue with him. He won’t rest until he sees his wife.”

“What about you?” the deputy asked.

“I want to go in there, too,” Jake admitted. “My fiancée is in there and I desperately want to check on her.”

The deputy look conflicted, but finally he heaved out a sigh and nodded. “You two take that store. We’ll take the one on this side.”

“Thank you.”

“YOU need to surrender.”

Mandy did her best to remain calm as she studied the man to her right. He shifted from one foot to the other, a rifle loosely gripped in his hands as if he didn’t have a care in the world, but his dark eyes made Mandy unbelievably uncomfortable.

“Why would I want to surrender?” the man asked. “How would that possibly benefit me?”