Elisabeth Rees - Safe House Under Fire

“Thank you,” she said, skirting past him. “I’ll bear it in mind.”

But he knew she wouldn’t. As she went to her daughter and hugged her tenderly, he saw that she was a parent who would struggle to implement the tough love approach. Astrid could pout and cry and get away with doing whatever she wanted, even if it meant going to a party with her drunk and reckless boyfriend. Just one small decision could wreak untold consequences.

And Lilly had no idea of the terrible choices that a teenage mind could make.

“We’re leaving now,” Lilly said, removing one of her daughter’s earbuds. “You need to turn off your music and keep your wits about you.”

David held out his hand. “And I have to confiscate your cell phone until further notice. I want all devices which emit a signal.”

“What?” Astrid’s mouth dropped open as she turned to Lilly. “Really?”

“No arguments, Astrid,” Lilly said, slipping the cell from her daughter’s jeans pocket, unplugging the earphones and handing it to the agent. She then unzipped Astrid’s backpack and took out her iPad. “You can have them back later.”

David took both devices in his hands. “I never said that.”

“But it’s important to her,” Lilly protested. “Teenagers live their whole lives on social media, you must know that.”

“Phone signals are easy to track, even when they’re not connected to the internet. If Astrid wants to log into Smartchat, she can use one of our specially encrypted devices.”

Astrid burst out laughing. “What is Smartchat? Is that like Snapchat for old people?”

He ignored the ridicule. “I’d rather you didn’t log into any online accounts for the next few days, but if you really feel that it’s necessary, then you can look but not interact.”

“I can’t post anything?”

“Certainly not. No comments, no messages and absolutely no selfies.” He put the phone and iPad into a drawer of the hallway dresser. “We’ll leave these here until you get back.”

“How will I keep in touch with Noah?”

“You can’t,” David said. “I need a promise from you that you’ll contact nobody while we’re in the safe house. You’re under my rules now.”

Lilly began to bristle with irritation. Astrid was her daughter and her responsibility, and David should have let her relay all this information, rather than lay down the law himself. It was very clear that this FBI agent didn’t rate her parenting skills very highly, and she found herself feeling undermined by his intrusive behavior.

“Make the promise, Astrid,” she said, trying to wrest back control. “It’s only for a little while.”

Astrid groaned. “I promise.”

“Okay,” David said. “Let’s go.”

Lilly noticed her daughter’s face become ashen as they approached the open front door, where Goldie stood, waiting to escort them to the car.

“We’ll be okay, won’t we, Mom?” Astrid asked. “This crazy guy wouldn’t be stupid enough to try and hurt us while we’ve got two bodyguards, would he?”

Lilly wasn’t sure whether to tell the truth—that she simply had no idea—but she decided that a small lie was the best approach.

“He wouldn’t be that stupid, honey,” she said, putting an arm around Astrid. “We’re in the hands of trained experts here.”

“You’re clear to get in the car,” Goldie said, as they stepped out into the cool and breezy afternoon. “Both in the back seat, please.”

The day had now taken on a new hue, one of danger and malice. The scenery beyond Lilly’s home was exactly the same as before, but the neat suburban houses and leafy trees now hid something sinister and strange. This world no longer felt like hers. It was alien somehow, and she wasn’t enjoying the sensation. Somebody had invaded her haven of peace and contentment.

Goldie opened the back door of the black SUV in the driveway and Astrid climbed inside, murmuring appreciatively at the plush upholstery and gadget-laden dash. They were unused to luxury in their daily lives.

“Lilly, Lilly, wait up.” She looked up sharply to see Mr. Peters hurrying around the fence that divided their front yards. He was carrying a brown box, saying, “I have something for you.”

Goldie and David immediately switched to high alert, placing their hands on their weapons and scanning the area.

David rushed to her side. “Who is this man?”

“It’s my neighbor, John Peters. I’ve known him for thirteen years.”

David quickly pulled out his badge and held it out front, keeping Mr. Peters at arm’s length. “Sir, can I ask you to remain where you are and state your business?”

Mr. Peters appeared puzzled to be met with such a command. “Um... I have a package for Lilly.” He peered at the badge. “Are you from the FBI?”

“Put the package on the ground,” David ordered, pocketing the badge and drawing his gun but keeping the barrel pointed down.

Mr. Peters obviously wasn’t sure how to react. “I didn’t do anything wrong,” he said. “The delivery guy said he couldn’t get an answer from Lilly’s house so I signed for the package on her behalf.” He looked between Lilly and David. “That’s okay, isn’t it?”

“I told you to put the package on the ground,” David repeated, louder this time. “Now.”

Mr. Peters reacted in an instant, placing the box on the ground as if it were suddenly red-hot.

“Now step away from it,” David said. “Where did the delivery guy go after you signed for this package? Did he have a vehicle?”

“I didn’t check, but he was wearing a uniform and he had a clipboard. He looked very official.”

“Where did he go?”

“I don’t know. I’m sorry but I didn’t think to take notice.” By now Mr. Peters appeared genuinely afraid, concerned that he might have inadvertently done something wrong. “The label on the box says it contains drapes and cushions.”

David glanced at Lilly. “Did you order home furnishings?”

She racked her brain to recall any recent online purchases. “I don’t think so.”

“Get Astrid out of the car.” David said, before turning to Goldie. “We need to get them back in the house and call the bomb squad.”

Fear flooded Lilly’s body. “You think it’s a bomb?”

“We have to take every precaution,” he replied. “It might be nothing, but let’s be cautious.”

Astrid slid from the car and stared at the cardboard box on the driveway, its beige, boring exterior seemingly innocuous.

“It’s just a package,” she said, walking toward it. “Why are you guys so worked up about a cardboard box?”

“No, Astrid,” David called. “Stay away from it and go back inside.”

Lilly grabbed hold of Astrid’s sleeve. “Come on, honey, let’s do what he says.”

Astrid shook her head in disbelief. “I can’t believe you’re all terrified of some drapes and cushions. Mom probably ordered them and forgot.”

But then the box began to beep, slow at first but quickly building, like an alarm clock working its way up to a crescendo.

“Go, Go, Go!” David yelled, pushing Lilly and Astrid toward the house. “Everybody clear the area.”

Lilly clutched Astrid’s hand and ran to her front door, stumbling over the threshold and falling into the hallway. She just managed to pull her daughter into an embrace when a flash of light burned her eyes. The sound of the explosion came a split second later.

And then there was silence.

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