it home,” he said, his voice low. “He walked in the front door as the man was killing his family and he acted.”
“Kicked the gun out of the guy’s hand?”
“Yeah.”
“Then what?”
“I don’t know.” Caden’s mind played out several scenarios of what could have happened next. None of them good. All of them stomach-turning. He drew in a shuddering breath. “But the man wanted that picture. He came back to get it for a reason.”
Caden swallowed twice and sighed. He handed the iPad to Zane, walked outside, and lost his breakfast in the nearest bush.
CHAPTER
TWO
It hadn’t taken long for them to be discovered.
Nicolai, dressed in a gray T-shirt, blue jeans, baseball cap, and sunglasses, ignored his throbbing knee and watched from across the street. This was the second time something had gone wrong with his plans, but it wasn’t irreparable.
Just annoying and frustrating.
Thankfully, no one paid him any attention as he blended in with the other neighbors who’d stopped their Sunday morning routine to gawk at the unfolding scene.
The cell phones were out in force, no one wanting to miss a moment of the excitement in their otherwise boring routine. Nicolai made sure to stay out of the line of sight of those cameras. Positioned toward the back of the crowd, he leaned against the nearest tree, pulled the ball cap lower, and crossed his arms. He also had a good view of the busybody neighbor who’d found the family. She’d disappeared when the paramedics had arrived, then two officers had joined her in the back of the ambulance. No doubt grilling her about what she’d seen. He wasn’t worried. She hadn’t seen him. A short time later, she’d rejoined the neighbors, her face pale, the horror of what she’d seen written in every line, but still watching the action.
She spoke to each person she knew, and he prepared to duck away if she came at him. For now, she seemed content to speak to the older gentleman on the other side of the tree.
Law enforcement had been in the house for a while, wondering who the monster was who’d kill an entire family. Especially kids. He frowned. He could understand their horror. He’d admit the kids were the hardest, but they were part of the promise.
I’ll kill them, I’ll kill them all. I promise.
Just two more families and his mission would be complete, his promise kept. His grandmother was wrong. Vengeance didn’t belong to God. It belonged to him. And it tasted sweet.
“Terrible shame, isn’t it?”
He almost came out of his skin when the man to his right spoke and he realized the words were directed at him. He cleared his throat. “Uh . . . yeah.”
“So, who are you? I know everyone who lives around here, but don’t think I’ve seen you before.”
“Oh, I was looking at that house for sale on the corner, saw all the excitement, and thought I’d stick around to see what was going on.”
Thank goodness he’d spent some time coming up with a plausible story, should something like this happen.
“Oh, well, it’s a great neighborhood. Don’t let this keep you away. We’ve never had any trouble like this before.”
“Of course, of course. Thank you for letting me know.” He paused. “So, you’ve lived here a while?”
“Yep, me and the missus built one of the first houses back here.”
“And you know the family, of course?”
“Yeah. I’m just glad the older boy wasn’t home when it happened.”
“Heard someone mention that. He’ll probably head somewhere he feels safe.”
“Probably.”
“Can’t believe he just ran off. Guess shock can make you do things out of character.”
“Of course it can,” a familiar voice butted in. Nicolai stiffened when he recognized it belonged to the nosy neighbor. “That poor boy,” she said. “I just pray he turns up soon. Or heads straight to the nearest police station.” She sighed. “Knowing him, though, he’ll head to that dojo. I think he’d move in there if he could.”
“Naw,” the other man said, “my guess is he’ll head to his grandparents’ house. They’re close.”
Nicolai shoved his hands into his pockets and clenched his fists while pasting a smile on his lips. He doubted the kid would go to either place since he’d ensured the teen knew the consequences of such actions, but . . . the neighbors might be right. Kids wanted to feel safe. If he had to put money on one or the other, he’d guess the dojo. Wouldn’t hurt to check there first. “Well, I guess I’ll be on my way. I