One Day in a Small-Town Desert, chapter 11, page 4

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Fírí Parızada stared wide-eyed at her ex-boyfriend, her ineffectual pepper spray still clutched tightly in her hand. What in Pétíso’s hells was going on?

Zhíno’s wild anger had rather quickly been replaced by calmness and serenity, as if all that pent-up energy had finally worked its way out of his system. He looked toward Fírí with a blank smile, but it didn’t seem as if he actually saw her.

The old woman carried the murdered dog away, laying it on the ground near the wall. She said she wasn’t going to let Zhíno hurt her, but Fírí certainly didn’t trust the hag.

Abruptly, Zhíno jumped onto the altar, swinging his feet up onto the slab and lying down.

Fírí staggered, glancing from Zhíno to Vata and back to Zhíno. “What just happened?” How in all the worlds did she make him do that?

Vata turned their direction and murmured, “Good,” before beginning to walk toward the back door in her slow, foot-scuffing manner.

The distinctive rumble of a helicopter cut through the house. Fírí glanced up, but of course saw nothing but the black ceiling. The din diminished, but remained audible. The helicopter stayed near the house.

Who would be circling in a helicopter? The police? A news station? A hospital helicopter would be landing to load someone on board, so it couldn’t be them.

If it was a camera crew, it didn’t change Fírí’s situation much. If it was the police, though, it meant they were doing a thorough search of the area. Which meant they’d be searching this house soon. Which meant they’d be arresting Fírí soon.

She leaned against the altar, panic rising inside her as her breathing accelerated. She had to hide. She had to get rid of that duffel bag with the money. She had to distance herself from Zhíno, both because she couldn’t be seen as his accomplice and because he might very well wake up any minute and make good on his threat to kill her.

Her eyes darted quickly around the room. This secret chapel was already the most hidden place in the house. No further-hidden cubbies or hidey-holes presented themselves. She had to stay right there, but all her muscles were twitching, urging her to run. She had to get away from Zhíno, the money, and the whole situation. It didn’t matter where she went. She just had to run.

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