Her legs were shaking. She gripped the doorknob and took several deep breaths, then pulled the door open and stepped out onto the porch.
Two men were coming up the path from the dock, sweeping her property with their flashlights, the bright beams penetrating the shrubbery. They wore badges on their uniform shirts. Gun belts were strapped to their hips. One of them raised his hand in greeting.
“You Mrs. Gillette?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t be alarmed, ma’am. We’re sheriff’s deputies.”
Remembering Coburn’s instructions, she took the porch steps down to ground level. She knew he’d be watching from the window in Emily’s bedroom. His warning echoed inside her head, making her stomach pitch.
Trying to disguise her fear as curiosity, she asked, “Is something wrong? What can I do for you?”
They introduced themselves by name and produced their identification. “We’re searching for the suspect in last night’s mass murder in Tambour.”
“I heard about that. It was awful.”
“Yes, ma’am. We have reason to think that the suspect is still in the region.”
“Oh.”
The deputy gave the space between them a reassuring pat. “He could be miles from here, but we’re canvassing all the houses along this bayou, hoping someone can provide us with useful information.” He rattled off a basic physical description of the man hiding inside her house. Honor envisioned him standing over Emily with a pistol in his hand.
So when the second deputy asked, “Have you seen anyone fitting that description, ma’am?” she replied immediately. “No.”
“Anyone passing by here today in a small craft?”
She shook her head. “But I wasn’t paying particular attention. My daughter and I have been down with a stomach virus.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
Honor acknowledged that with a bob of her head.
“Are you out here alone, ma’am?”
“Just my daughter and me.”
“Well, please be on the lookout, Mrs. Gillette, and if you see anything unusual, call 911 immediately.”
“Of course.”
“Best keep all your doors and windows locked, too.”
“I always do.”
One of the deputies was already tipping his hat. The other took a step back.
They were about to leave! What could she do? She had to do something! A hand signal?
I’m “prey” to them, so I’ve got nothing to lose.
“We won’t disturb you any longer. Have a good evening.”
They turned and started walking away.
She couldn’t let them go! For godsake, do something, Honor! But what could she do without putting Emily’s life in danger?
It’s up to you.