Dale continued.
“That’s all I’m asking.”
“She walks to the restroom.”
“You stay here.”
“I stay here.”
“Roy stays here.”
“Everybody drinks coffee.”
“Deputies arrive.”
“Then they sort out the misunderstanding.”
The request was small.
That was why it worked.
Frank could not reject it without making the control obvious.
Roy whispered:
“Don't.”
Frank looked at him.
Then at the bikers outside.
Then at Dale.
Finally, Frank turned toward Maya.
“Go.”
The word was soft.
Maya did not move.
Frank’s eyes changed.
“Go ahead.”
Her legs felt detached from her body.
Carol appeared at the edge of the booth.
Perfect timing.
“Restrooms are back this way.”
Maya slid toward the aisle.
Roy moved his legs.
For the first time in eleven days, Maya stood without one of the men standing with her.
Her knees nearly buckled.
Carol saw.
She did not grab Maya.
Touch could startle frightened people.
Instead she walked one step ahead.
“This way.”
Maya followed.
Each step felt impossible.
Four.
Five.
Six.
Past the counter.
Past Pete Garland.
Past the jukebox.
Toward the restrooms.
Then Carol turned left.
Maya stopped.
“The bathroom…”
Carol kept her voice low.
“Kitchen.”
Maya stared.
“You're okay.”
“No.”
Maya shook her head rapidly.
“He knows where my family lives.”
Carol looked straight at her.
“Law enforcement already knows you're here.”
Maya froze.
“How?”
“Dale called.”
“They know your name?”
“We think so.”
Maya’s breathing accelerated.
Carol said:
“You do not have to believe me.”
“But you need to keep moving.”
Maya looked back toward the dining room.
Could not see Frank from the hallway.
For the first time in eleven days, Frank could not see her either.
That fact almost stopped her heart.
Carol opened the kitchen door.
Marcus, the cook, stood beside the rear exit.
Gus had locked the alley gate open so nobody would lose seconds with the latch.
Outside stood two Desert Saints members, both women.
Lisa Harker, Dale’s younger sister.
And Renee Cole, an emergency-room nurse.
Dale had specifically asked them to stay near the back.
Maya stepped into the kitchen.
Then stopped.
“I can't.”
Carol turned.
“What?”
“If I leave, they'll…”
Her voice disappeared.
Carol had never seen terror this concentrated.
She thought about what Dale had said after Rachel.
Do not make frightened people prove what is happening before helping them reach safety.
Carol said:
“You don't have to tell me what they'll do.”
“Just answer one thing.”
Maya looked at her.
“Do you want to go back to that booth?”
Maya shook her head immediately.
“No.”
“Then don't.”
The word landed.
Maya looked toward the open back door.
Cold air.
Night.
Two women waiting.
No Frank.
No Roy.
Carol stepped aside.
The choice belonged to Maya.
Maya crossed the kitchen.