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Madeline laughed.“He was on the take with Ivan.That means he was part of Hudson’s web.I knew it all along.”
“You sent him to kill me, too.”
“Um, I did.Told him that we couldn’t have loose ends.Told him that Hudson had shared secrets with you and that you had to be eliminated.Clark was panicked and desperate.It was like pointing a loaded gun.”
“You actuallyarepointing a loaded gun at me right now.”Another step backwards.
“Indeed, I am.”
She could feel sweat at the base of her back.“Even if there weren’t cameras, Eb is going to realize something happened to me.Eb is going to come after me.”
“You’ll be dead when he arrives.A seizure that was too powerful for you.Such a shame.You fought them your whole life.But in the end, you just weren’t strong enough.”
Her knees locked.“I’m not having a seizure.”
“You will when I’m done with you.Certain drug combinations will cause a seizure.A mix of stimulants and antidepressants, a lovely witch’s brew that will boil in your veins.Something fun made up and used on a few of the CIA’s enemies over the years.”
Naomi shook her head.“No.”
“Yes.”Adamant.“It’s easier, you’ll see.I mean, torture would be terrible for you.This way, well, it will only be a few moments.I had intended for you to die in a fire.My original plan.Figured that would be a fun, full-circle bit for you, considering what happened to your parents.”
Her hand tightened around the wrench.“Fun.”
“Um.But Brock screwed that up—twice.He had two chances to make you burn, and he messed up both times.So now I’m improvising.”
“So…Ivan didn’t plan the fire at my home?You did?”
A shrug.“Brock was following my orders.But don’t be mistaken, Ivan wanted you dead, too.There was a line of people waiting for you to die.”
How fantastic to know.Her breath panted out.“I’m no expert, but won’t your little witch’s brew show up in a tox screen after I’m dead?”
Madeline laughed at her.“Who will order the tox screen?You fled from the police station because you couldn’t bear to be around Eb any longer.He was too much like your husband.A liar and a killer.You came here, and, overwhelmed, you suffered a life-ending seizure.”
She had a death grip on the wrench.“And how did I get here?”
Madeline blinked.
“I rode with Eb to the police station,” Naomi pointed out.“In that beautiful ‘68 Impala of his.”
“I hate that car,” Madeline gritted out.
“I happen to love it,” Naomi returned.“And, speaking of my dream ride, it’s right behind you.”
Madeline spun around.The gun spun away, too.Shifted away from Naomi.“No, it’s not!Eb isn’t here!”Madeline cried.
No, he wasn’t there.Not yet.But she definitely heard a fast-approaching engine, and she’d just gotten her perfect distraction.Naomi yanked up the wrench.“Batter up, bitch.”She lunged for her prey.
Too late, Madeline tried to turn back for her.
Naomi slammed that wrench into Madeline’s arm as hard as she could.The gun flew from Madeline’s fingers.Naomi pulled back, and she swung again.This time, she slammed the wrench into the side of Madeline’s head.
Madeline screamed even as blood arched into the air.
And a black Impala came hurtling toward them.
Yes!Yes!
Madeline fell to the ground.The gun had landed under the sedan.Eb was racing toward her in that beautiful Impala, and Naomi could even see Henry in the passenger seat.