# CHAPTER 4 — THE LAST EPIPEN
Mara packed Emma’s clothes in silence.
She did not care that the estate gates were locked.
She did not care that armed guards stood in every hallway.
She had brought Emma to work because the babysitter had canceled.
That single decision had placed her daughter inside a murder plot.
Now someone had written about Emma before Alejandro had even been poisoned.
They had known she would be there.
Mara zipped the rabbit backpack.
It felt too light.
The EpiPen was gone.
“Mr. Moretti promised another one,” Emma said.
Mara forced a smile.
“I know.”
There was no replacing it quickly.
The nearest pharmacy had already told Mara the medication required another insurance authorization.
Emma had experienced three serious reactions in the past year.
Without an injector, a cookie crumb or an incorrectly cleaned spoon could become fatal.
A knock sounded.
Bruno entered with two guards carrying sealed medical cases.
“Dr. Reed contacted a hospital pharmacy,” he said. “They have two injectors waiting.”
“I’ll take her.”
“You won’t leave alone.”
Mara straightened.
“My daughter needs medicine. I’m not asking permission.”
“I’m not stopping you. I’m sending protection.”
“I don’t trust your protection.”
Bruno looked at Emma.
“That may be the smartest thing anyone has said today.”
An armored SUV was prepared.
Mara sat in the rear seat with Emma beside her. Two vehicles followed, and one drove ahead.
Alejandro watched from an upstairs window.
He had changed into a clean shirt, but he remained pale.
Matteo stood behind him.
“You should let them go after the pharmacy,” Matteo said.
“They saw too much.”
“They saved your life.”
“That is why they cannot be left unprotected.”
“Or perhaps you feel responsible because the girl reminds you of Kiara.”
Alejandro did not answer.
The convoy left the estate.
Ten minutes later, Bruno’s radio crackled.
“Lead vehicle approaching Mercer Bridge.”
Then came a burst of static.
“Repeat,” Bruno ordered.
No answer.
Alejandro turned from the window.
Bruno pressed another channel.
“Vehicle Two, report.”
A guard answered, breathing hard.
“The lead SUV lost control.”
“What happened?”
“Brakes failed. It hit the barrier.”
“Where are Mara and Emma?”
“In Vehicle Two. They’re safe.”
Alejandro grabbed his coat.
Bruno blocked him.
“You’re not going outside.”
“Move.”
“Someone may have designed this to pull you out.”
Alejandro stepped closer.
“Then they made a mistake.”
At the bridge, Mara held Emma beneath her coat while smoke rose from the damaged lead SUV.
The driver had survived, but only because the vehicle struck the barrier at an angle.
A police cruiser arrived unusually fast.
An officer approached the second vehicle.
“Everyone out,” he ordered. “Possible fuel leak.”
The Moretti guard opened the door.
Mara started to move.
Then Emma grabbed her sleeve.
“Mommy.”
“What is it?”
Emma stared at the police officer.
“He has a hospital bracelet.”
A white identification band circled the man’s wrist.
It was stained with something dark.
The officer reached inside his jacket.
The Moretti guard saw the movement and slammed the door shut.
Gunfire struck the armored window.
The glass turned white with cracks.
The driver accelerated.
As the SUV pulled away, the false officer stood in the road and watched them escape.
He lifted his radio.
“The child recognized me,” he said.
May you like
A voice answered through the speaker.
“Then make sure she never reaches the pharmacy.”
