Danger Signals

Prologue

In a house on the shores of a small lake, somewhere in South Carolina…

"Pounding…that's always the first thing. Someone-my father-is banging on the door. Banging…pounding… with his fists, feet. I don't know. Trying to break it down."

"And… where are you?"

"I'm in a bedroom, I think. I don't remember which one. I have the little ones with me. It's my job to look after them when my father is having one of his…spells. I have to keep them out of his way. Keep them safe. I've taken them into the bedroom and I've locked the door, except…I don't trust the lock, so I've wedged a chair under the handle, like my mom showed me. Only now I'm afraid, terrifled even that won't be enough. I can hear the wood splintering…breaking. I know it will only take a few more blows and he'll be through. My mother is screaming…crying. I hold on to the little ones-I have my arms around them, and they're all trembling. The twins, the little girls, are sobbing and crying. 'Mama. Mama…' but the boys just cry quietly.

"I hear sirens…more sirens, getting louder and louder until it seems they're coming right into the room, and there are lots of people shouting, and all of a sudden the pounding stops. There's a moment-several minutes- when all I hear is the little ones whimpering…and then, there's a loud bang, so loud we-the children and I-all jump. We hold each other tighter, and there's another bang, and we flinch again, and then there's just confusion…voices shouting…footsteps running…glass breaking…the little ones crying…and I think I might be crying, too…"

"Oh, God…I'm sorry, Cory. It's all right…it's all right…I love you…I've got you…"

He discovered he was crying, but he also knew it was all right. He was all right. Sam, his wife, was holding him tightly, cradling his head against her breasts, and her hands were gentle as they wiped the tears from his face.

"I'm going to find them, Sam. My brothers and sisters. I have to find them."

Samantha felt warm moisture seep between her lashes. "Of course you do." She lifted her head and took his face between her hands and smiled fiercely at him through her tears. "We'll find them together, Pearse," she whispered. "We'll find them. I promise you we will."