“STATE POLICE! DROP YOUR WEAPONS!”

Daniel’s eyes went wide. His grip faltered for a fraction of a second — and I drove my knee up between his legs with the last of my strength.

He collapsed with a groan, rolling off me. I gasped, coughing, and dragged myself to my mother, throwing my arms around her.

Tactical boots thundered up the stairs. Three men in body armor flooded the room, and behind them came Detective Ruiz, his badge swinging from a chain.

“Daniel Bennett!” Ruiz barked. “Don’t move a muscle!”

Two troopers hauled Daniel up and slammed him against the wall, cuffs clicking onto his wrists. From downstairs I could hear Vanessa screaming as she was taken into custody.