Claire swallowed.
“Then why?”
“Because Thomas was following us.”
Every face turned toward Hayes.
He didn’t deny it.
Margaret continued.
“His car forced us toward the bridge. Eleanor realized he intended to stop us before we reached this house.”
Hayes shouted, “I wasn’t going to kill anyone!”
Margaret turned on him.
“You fired at the car.”
Daniel’s face drained of color.
Claire’s gun rose.
“You shot at my mother?”
“It was a warning.”
“Eleanor panicked,” Margaret said. “She turned sharply. We went through the barrier.”
Claire stared at Hayes.
“You killed her.”
“No.”
“You killed her!”
“I didn’t know she’d turn!”
“YOU KILLED HER!”
Claire fired.
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
