Violet made a small, choked sound from the floor.

Paul walked straight to the front doors, turned the heavy brass deadbolt, and lowered the interior security latch.

Then he guided both girls behind the reinforced front counter, keeping them completely hidden from the parking lot.

The SUV stopped crooked across two marked spaces.

The driver’s door slammed open.

Richard Hayes stepped out holding his smartphone, already talking, already gesturing aggressively toward the building as if he expected everyone inside to jump to attention.