Chapter 267

Foamy liquid sprayed like blood across the white wall.

We bolted from the room and sprinted down the stairs. It took us less than a minute to get there, but all was already chaos and bloodshed.

And screaming. I'll never forget the sounds of Helen's keening. I peered over a desk to see what had set her off and gagged. It was a blackened lump, an adult burned past all recognition.

My heart clawed its way up my throat. "Benjy!"

I ran to Helen and tripped. Over another burned body, this one recognizable from his blond hair. Zander. I stumbled to my feet, trying not to hyperventilate. "Helen. Please. Where's Benjy?"

She'd pressed her fist to her stomach, rocking with low cries.

I threw an arm around her. "Ro!"

He couldn't hear me over Helen and the panicking DSI support staff, who he was trying to herd to the front foyer.

Danilo grabbed my arm. "Benjy's safe. I helped him into his dad's car five minutes ago."