Page 77 of Lawton

In the passenger's seat, she practically jumped out of her skin. "What are you doing?"

Getting ready to rape her, obviously. God, what did it look like? "I'm gonna help you get inside," I told her.

"How?"

"I don't know yet."

"Yeah, I bet," she muttered.

I tensed. Earlier, in front of Chloe, Bishop had made some dig about a locksmith. Had she caught that? At the time, it didn't seem like it. Then again, a lot of things seemed different from back then.

Now, I only had two things to do – get Chloe inside, and get myself out of here before I said something I'd regret.

Together, we walked toward the front door. The house was lit, like someone was home. Who knows? Maybe someonewashome. I'd find out soon enough.

When we hit the front porch, Chloe reached out and tried the doorknob. No luck. With her hand still on the knob, she leaned back to scan the front of the house. Looking for what? An open window? In this weather? I didn't see that happening.

From somewhere inside, Chucky was barking his head off. On Chloe's face, I saw the ghost of a smile. When she caught me looking, the smile faded.

Well, at least the dog made her happy.

I turned away, heading toward the rear of the house. In two minutes, maybe less, I'd have her back inside. Then, and only then, I'd get the hell out of here. Or at least, that was the plan until Chloe ruined it by following along beside me.

Great. She was probably worried I'd rob the place.

On the back patio, I stood back, giving her space to try the door. She reached out and gave it a go. No dice. She gave me a sideways glance, but said nothing.

I let out a breath. Time to go through the motions. Walking along the back of the house, I tried all the windows within easy reach. They were locked. But then again, I hadn't expected otherwise.

When I finished, Chloe gave the house a worried look. "I'm not sure what to do."

Was she talking to me? Who knows?

I answered anyway. "You stay here," I said, glancing toward the back patio. "Maybe try the back door again. I'll try the front."

She blinked back what could only be tears. "But I already tried the front."

At the look in her eyes, in spite of everything, I wanted to cradle her against me and make the worry go away. If I didn't leave soon, I might be stupid enough to try it.

I glanced toward the front of the house. "Yeah, butIhaven't. Maybe the knob's stuck."

Or maybe, the lock was child's play for someone with the right tools and know-how.

"Fine," she sighed, turning toward the back door.

Before she reached it, I was already gone. Pulling my keys from my pocket, I circled to the front of the house. On the keyring, I had a few small tools tucked into something that looked like a Swiss Army knife. The tools were nothing elaborate, but good enough for a basic deadbolt.

She needed a better system – a better lock, with some electronics for backup. Maybe I'd tell her.

Yeah, she'd just love that.

I had the lock popped in under a minute. Child's play, just like I thought.

Time to make up some story. I turned and headed toward the back of the house, intercepting Chloe at the half-way point.

"Got it," I said.

She blinked. "What?"