“You’re threatening to murder me?” Ted shrieks.
Lawrence moves the gun from behind his back to his front.
I push the door open a little wider hoping to stop Lawrence from whatever the hell he’s thinking, then everything happens too fast to stop.
Lawrence lifts his gun in Ted’s direction, but Ted reaches into his coat and pulls out a gun of his own. He fires before Lawrence realizes what’s happening, and Lawrence falls back.
I jump out of the pantry and run at Ted while Valerie, Vince, and Lucy all scream. I tackle Ted, who goes down with a thud and drops his gun as Rover and CT burst into the room.
When the hell did CT get here?
Both Ted and I lunge for the gun, but Ted beats me to it. I brace for what’s coming and hear another gunshot.
Ted stills.
I glance down, relieved to find I’m not hit, then pivot to see CT’s gun aimed at Ted.
“Thanks,” I say.
“Dad!” Lucy screams.
I turn to her. She’s putting pressure on Lawrence’s wound, but he’s lost a lot of blood.
Rover is on the phone, reporting, “Two men have been shot. We need ambulances now.” He looks at me. “What’s the address?”
Valerie shouts it out.
He relays the information, then tells us, “They’re on their way.” He then goes to Lucy. “Let me,” he says gently.
She falls back on her bottom, tears streaming down her face. I go to her, pull her up into my arms, and stroke her back.
“Ted shot my dad.” She’s crying.
“I know, Luce. I know.”
“Why? Why did he have a gun?” She falls against my chest, sobbing.
I continue to hold her, though I have no answers for her. I don’t know how much time has passed when a trio of medics run in. One goes to Ted and immediately pronounces him dead. The other two take care of Lawrence.
As they carry his gurney away, Lucy moves to follow. “I need to go to my dad,” she says.
But an officer walks into the room and stops her. “I’m afraid no one can leave.”
Rover comes forward. “Can I talk to you for a moment?”
The two men step away, and then CT is by my side.
“When did you get here?” I ask.
“I was right behind you guys. Rover told me what you two were doing, and I had a bad feeling.”
I nod and feel Lucy turn to me.
“He can’t be alone,” she pleads. “I know he’s done some awful things, but he’s still my father, you know?” Tears stream down her face.
“I know.”
The officer returns. “Ms. Taylor?”
