The gunshot exploded.
Hayes cried out as the bullet struck his shoulder.
He fell.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Then Claire dropped the gun.
Her face crumpled.
“Oh God.”
Margaret approached slowly.
“Claire.”
“I killed him.”
“No.”
Hayes groaned.
“Unfortunately, I’m still here.”
Claire
sank against the wall.
Daniel crouched beside her.
Russell began laughing weakly.
I looked at him.
“What’s funny?”
He winced.
“After thirty years… that’s the first honest family conversation we’ve ever had.”
Despite everything, a broken laugh escaped me.
Then the sound of sirens appeared in the distance.
Margaret turned toward the hidden corridor.
