Mirror Image

Thirty-Seven

"Percy, what the hell?" Zee grabbed his hand as the lights went out.

"Not me, I have no fucking idea what's happening. Call your Dad. I hear Carmangy, and he's swearing so is Terry. Someone's got Lacy and people all around them are passing out. They're hitting the floor. I'm going for the breakers."

"Be careful. Lights are our biggest priority." Zee said, her eyes adjusting to the gloom, taking stock of the carnage. "Good thing the night is clear, and the outdoor lights came on."

"Shit, Terry says he can't find Lace," Percy said. "I'm not going to leave you alone. Whoever took her might come for you too."

The lights came on full bright as he spoke. The kids who hadn't passed out were milling around in confusion, trying to figure out what happened. Those on the floor, started coughing, and pushing up into sitting positions. Whatever knocked them out was dissipating.

"Don't try to get up." Agent Carmangy took charge. "Stay where you are. Do those windows open?"

As Mama Rosa showed Sara how to crank open the center of the Gothic arched windows, Zee pulled Percy toward the arch at the end of the gallery.

"Let's go. I need to check the attic. I'll bet that's where they took Lace," Zee hissed under her breath.

"Go. Be careful. I'll be right behind you." Percy said as he let her run ahead. "I'll tell Carmangy."

Zee ran for the stairs. Taking them two at a time, she felt her ribs protesting, but she had to know if Lace was still in the mansion. Yanking the door open, she felt it hit the wall, and winced. There would be a hole in the drywall from the doorknob. The attic was dark, and she hit the light switch at the top of the stairs. Checking the rooms, she found no one there. Shit!

Turning to go back, she ran into Percy.

"Not up here."

She pushed by Percy, sliding under his arms where he braced against the hallway. She went straight to the kitchen, looking for Papa Juan and found his wife.

"Mama Rosa, have you seen Lacey?"

"No, but the door to the basement is open." Her eyes were wide. "What happened, why did the lights go out?"

"Someone has Lace." Percy darted by Zee and ran through the open door.

Zee followed, she could hear an engine revving, and the crunch of gravel spewing from the tires as a vehicle left. Running past the laundry, wine cellar, and two storage closets, she found an open door with a brick veneer on the inside.

"I never knew this was here." Zee said.

"Come on, let's get your car. Whoever took her can't be far ahead, and you know the curves going down better than anyone I know." Percy said.

Sprinting all out for the garage, Zena heard her dress tear as she jumped into her car. "Damn good thing I kept my keys on me."

"I've got my phone, I'll call the cops, you just drive. Let's try and catch up." Percy buckled his seatbelt and dialed 911.

Zena concentrated on hitting the turns perfectly. She caught glimpses of taillights ahead of her and got closer with each turn. At the bottom of the hill, she recognized the car. She turned off her headlights before she made the last turn and ran the stop sign to race after the black sedan. The same one they had seen before. Or at least one exactly like it. Could there have been more than one?

"There's only one place they're going. There's a bungalow down there. That's where Anya lives. I thought she was in jail."

"So did I."

"Could that be her mother?"

"Possibly, but I don't have a good feeling about this." Zena hit the brakes before turning through the next corner and squealing her tires as she accelerated. The car in front of them disappeared. She slowed looking for any clue as to where it went.

"There, on the right between those two trees," Percy pointed.

Zee stomped on the brakes, skidding as she yanked the steering wheel to the left and threaded her way between the trees.

"Shit, I'm going to rear end him." She hit the brakes, pulling the emergency handbrake at the same time, turning the car sideways as it slid. Dust, leaves, and rocks scattered in a cloud around them and she braced for impact. It didn't happen.

"Shit! That was close." Percy pushed on his door to get out, and it wouldn't budge.

"Climb out my side," Zena said. She flung herself out and down. She had no idea if the lunatic who had Lace was watching.

"They're inside. Look the lights came on. 911 heard everything. Help is coming."

"I hope we're not too late." Zena whispered. "Do you want to try to get in there?"

"Curtains are closed. Let's see if we can find a way to see what's going on." Percy stayed on his hands and knees as he inched out from behind the cars.

"They must have heard us." Zena said.

"So that means they must be armed or have some other defense. Or they don't care, because they're hoping you came after them alone and they get both of you."

"We don't know if both of them are in there. Remember, Anya is supposed to be in jail still."

"Then her mother is one crazy woman."

"It would explain a lot!" Zena wriggled forward, keeping an eye on the big picture window beside the front door. "I don't think we want to go in from the front. I'm going to sneak around to the back."

"Right behind you." Percy said.

"I'm going in alone. I think you're right. They expect me alone. Can we put your phone in my bra? That way 911 can hear what's going on." Man, she was glad her ribs were good enough to wear one again.

"Here," Percy handed it to her. "It's locked, so you can't hang up by accident."

"Okay, wish me luck," Zee said facing him on her knees.

Percy pulled her into his arms, snuggling her against his body and kissed her hard. She kept her eyes open, looking into his. She knew he loved her, and he was scared to the bones for her. She broke away from him and took a big breath.

"I'm going to stop this. Whatever's happening in there, it stops now." Zena slipped into the shadows beside the bungalow and went to the back door. Easing the storm door open she tried the doorknob. It was open.

"I'm in."

God help me!