Return of the Reaper novel · Chapter 6 of 24

Chapter 6: The Cart

"Linens," Noelle said.

Her voice didn't shake, and her face didn't change.

Harlan Cavanagh smiled at her.

"Of course," he said. "Cade bet me a dinner you would come tonight. He didn't think you'd bring company."

He lifted his cane an inch and pointed it at the cart.

"Mr. Roark. Please. Whatever this is, you'll hurt your side climbing out."

For three seconds nobody in the room moved.

Doyle pushed the sheets off his shoulders and stood up.

The cart tipped under him and crashed against the wall.

Lila's head came up.

Her mouth opened, and for one terrible second he saw her face go through shock, then doubt, then pure joy.

"Daddy!"

She lunged off the cot, and the ankle strap she had worn all night caught her at the knee, and she fell.

She hit the floor hard on her bruised side and screamed.

Doyle had never heard a sound like it, and he never wanted to hear it again.

Something that had been asleep for three years opened its eyes.

"Lila, close your eyes," he said, very quietly. "Count the feathers on Mister Pie's wings. I'm right here."

She squeezed her eyes shut and pressed both hands over them.

"One," she began, in a tiny shaking voice. "Two."

The guard by the door reached inside his coat.

Doyle was already moving.

He took the man's wrist, turned it, and broke it with the heel of his other hand.

The gun skidded under the cot, and the guard opened his mouth to scream.

Doyle put an elbow into the open mouth, and teeth went across the floor.

The second guard came in from the hallway with his weapon raised.

Doyle stepped behind the first man and used him as a shield.

A shot hit the wall.

Plaster exploded.

"Stop it!" Harlan snapped. "She's in the room!"

The second guard hesitated for half a second.

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