Chapter 21

“I think I’m sorry I called you at all.”

“Because I know too much now? I won’t say anything without you. You know you need to turn him in. Who is he?”

There was a strange sound, a loud crack, from Karen’s end of the line and she made a little huff. By the time the staticky sound of a clattering phone reached Kiko’s ear, his heart had begun to race.

“Karen,” he said, then, nearly shouting into the phone, “Karen!”

He thought he heard a mumble or a gurgle, but he couldn’t be sure. His mind, so sluggish before, seemed hyperactive now, and he dashed across the store to the landline. He called Karen’s name again as he picked up the Yolks on You phone and dialed 911.

He heard the operator pick up in one ear; with the other he heard only silence. He yanked it from his ear and stared at the call endedmessage.

“Hello?” asked the operator. Kiko set his phone down on the counter to keep from crushing it in his palm.

“I think someone’s been shot,” he said.