than last time. Perhaps it was that she knew the layout of the mill or the players involved, or maybe it was that for the first time in her life she didn’t feel alone.
It took nearly an hour to get everything set perfectly. As she walked back to her car she felt her phone vibrating in her pocket. She pulled it out and was relieved to see it was Bobby.
“He’s heading that way now. Do you have everything set up?” There was no time for cordial greetings or casual chitchat. This was crunch time, and only vital communication of facts would work.
“Everything’s set up. I’m heading back to my car now to make sure the cameras are working. I should know in a few minutes,” she said, happy to hear Bobby’s voice.
“I’ll meet you at your car. I’m assuming Christian is trying to get there before the judge. He has a duffle bag with him, but I’m not sure what’s in it or what he has planned.” Bobby spoke quickly, and Piper could tell his anxiety was significantly higher than hers. She felt she had come to terms with the fact that Christian would kill the judge. But she knew Bobby was still searching for a solution, still holding out for an alternative. “I have an idea,” Bobby added, stopping Piper in her tracks. She was afraid this would happen. “I need to run it by Michael. I’m going to give him a call and then fill you in as soon as I can. Send me a message when you know the cameras are operational.” She heard the line disconnect and felt a knot in her stomach. She reconsidered the last thing Jules had said to her. Would Bobby really jeopardize his own life to avoid the bloodshed of criminals tonight? Were his ideals more of a liability than she had considered?
Piper sat tapping the steering wheel of her car, looking restlessly in her rearview mirror hoping to see Bobby either pulling up behind her or walking her way. In the fifteen minutes since they had spoken on the phone she had determined the cameras and microphones were working properly. She had watched Christian enter the side door of the mill and come into view of the cameras. He was moving some boxes and an old office chair around. She had tried twice to call Bobby, but she assumed he was still on the other line with Michael because he was not answering his phone.
Finally, she saw Bobby hustling up the street toward her car, his phone still to his ear. He pulled open her car door and flopped down into the passenger seat, bringing with him a gust of cold air. She wanted to interrogate him, scold him, and hold him all at once. Instead, she listened to the phone conversation as it continued.
“Yes, Michael, I think this could work.” Bobby grabbed Piper’s hand and squeezed it as a sign of excitement over the newly hashed plan.
“Bobby, wait,” Piper heard Michael say on the other end of the line. “There’s something I need to tell you first.”
“Holy Shit,” Bobby said, pointing at the screen televising the scene unfolding in the mill. “The judge is here. Whatever you have to tell me can wait. I’ve got to get in there.” He hung up the phone and reached for the car door to leave.
“What are you doing? You can’t go in there yet. That’s not what we discussed!” Piper grabbed the sleeve of Bobby’s jacket trying to pull him toward her.
“Michael and I think we’ve worked something out, but I have to get in there before Christian does anything, otherwise it’s too late. I need you to trust me.” He pulled her hand from his sleeve and held it, begging her with his eyes.
“No. I mean, I do trust you, but I think your judgment is clouded.” The judge and Christian had begun talking, and the sound drew Piper’s attention to the screen long enough for Bobby to hop out of the car.
“If anything happens to me, call the police. No matter what, stay in the car. Please trust me.” He half closed the door and then pulled it back open and stuck his head in. “I think I might love you, Piper.” He pulled his head back, closed the door, and ran toward the mill.
She held her breath, unable for a moment to process anything. Not the sudden changes to the plan, not the proclamation of maybe love, or the