Murdock turned to Jen. “You’ve been stubborn,” he said. “Just like your old boss.” He marched over to Caroline. “She didn’t tell us a damn thing, as I’m sure you intended.”
Caroline swelled with pride. Her night had been ugly, but Jen had held out.
Murdock swung back around toward Jen. “Gerard here hasn’t been cooperative with us at all. Weeks of questioning and…other methods of interrogation have proven to be ineffective.” His lips twitched. “So I’ve decided there’s really only one option left.”
Fischer drew his pistol, pressing it to the side of Jen’s skull.
“One of my more brilliant ideas, I have to admit.” Murdock broke into a full smile. “I do enjoy when I’m struck with genius.”
Jen didn’t react. Maybe she didn’t realize what was happening. Or maybe she didn’t care. But Caroline did. Her mouth gaped open as she stared at Fischer. His hand was steady, his expression bland. He wasn’t angry, he wasn’t sad, he wasn’t torn or confused or even all that focused. He was just there, indifferently pointing a gun at a woman’s head.
Murdock’s smile didn’t fade. “Last chance to talk. Perhaps the possibility of a bullet to Ms. Whitcomb’s brain may loosen your tongue.”
Jen leaned forward in the chair, her attention galvanized. “Don’t tell them anything, Caroline! I mean it.”
Caroline couldn’t give in now. She’d come so far, given up so much, and one of the few true things she had left was sitting in front of her, a deadly weapon practically glued to her temple.
No lady. No tiger. Only the barrel of a gun.
She gave Jen a desperate look, unable to verbalize her fears.
Help me, Jenny. I don’t know what to do.
Jen gave her head a quick jerk to the left, her eyes wide. And Caroline could see it in her expression, as plainly as if Jen had said it out loud. No.
She was telling Caroline no. Telling her to keep her mouth shut, just as Bob had. Fischer grabbed Jen around the throat, keeping the gun in place.
“Don’t do it!” Jen screamed. “Don’t give in to these fuckers.”
Caroline should have been comforted by Jen’s bravery. But it made her feel sick. Overwhelmed. And guilty as hell.
May God forgive me.
Caroline closed her eyes. “I don’t know anything,” she whispered.
There was no way this was happening. Her entire prison experience had been bizarre and demented but there was no possible way that her life had come to this.
Powell yanked her up by her hair. “Open your eyes.”
Caroline bit her lip as a tear trickled down her cheek. This had to be a nightmare. A dream. Anything. Anything to get her out of this. Anything to spare Jen. Powell pulled out his own sidearm and hit her as hard as he could in between her shoulder blades. She let out a moan and another tear slipped out.
“Open your fucking eyes.” He put the gun to her temple, yanking her up by her hair again.
“Kill me,” Caroline said. “Do it. Release her.”
“You’ll get what’s coming to you.” Murdock was pacing. She could hear his footsteps. He was getting closer to her. “But first you get to watch a little show.” His breath blew on her face. It was not a particularly enjoyable feeling. He grabbed her shirt. “Open your eyes.”
“It’s okay, Caroline.” Jen’s voice rang out with remarkable clarity. “I’m ready.”
She blinked and saw Jen’s petrified face. Caroline knew the guards had purposely kept Jen in the clothing she’d been wearing when she was arrested, because it was covered in blood. Her blood, Eric’s blood, Katie’s blood – who knew?
A scared stiff appearance coupled with a defiant voice. Her dear, fearless Jen. Caroline started crying. “I love you. I’m sorry. Please don’t hate me.”
Murdock gave Caroline one final sneer. “Any other parting thoughts? Make them count. I want to hear all the pretty words.”
She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. He wasn’t getting anything more than he’d already taken. “You’ll rot in hell for this,” she said.
Caroline fixed her eyes on Jen, trying to tell her what she didn’t have the courage to say. To apologize without words. And she didn’t want Murdock and the others to be privy to such a private exchange. But she knew she had to say something, even if it was babbling nonsense. “I’m so sorry, Jenny,” she whispered. “Please forgive me.”
Jen glared at Murdock. “You’re not the one who’ll need forgiveness.” She brought her gaze back to Caroline and tried to smile, tears in her eyes. “I love