In Dark Places

Chapter Fifty-five

Robin tried to keep the shock out of her voice. Her daughter was alive, and that was everything that mattered.

But, God, just look at her.

Her school uniform was dirty and torn, hair frazzled, eyes wild. Blood from the shooting had sprayed her all over. She looked like she had crawled out of a grave.

"It's okay," Robin said again. She hugged her daughter.

She and Gray had found the bottling plant after a slow, watchful drive down Central. They hadn't been sure it was the right place until they'd discovered the open gate and the police car. Gray had led her deeper inside the factory, where sounds of a scuffle could be heard.

Distantly she knew she ought to be shocked at the killing that had taken place nearly before her eyes, but she couldn't find the appropriate emotion inside her. The gun was still in Tomlinson's hand. He'd been about to kill Meg. Another second, and it would have been too late.

By shooting the man, Gray had saved her daughter. That was all Robin cared about. It was all that mattered.

She stroked Meg's hair and looked into her eyes. "Stay with me now," she whispered.

"I'm not going anywhere," Meg said.

Robin knew she still hadn't seen Gray. How would she react when she recognized him? It would be another painful jolt to her system, already overloaded by stress.

But Meg could handle it. She was strong. Robin had never known just how strong until tonight.

"Let's get out of here," she said softly, "okay?"

Meg nodded. "Definitely."

Robin helped her to her feet. Together they climbed the stairs toward the glow of the flashlight that still rested on the landing. She remembered what she'd told herself as the fumes had started to overcome her: Go toward the light.

At the top of the staircase Meg raised her eyes, looking past the glow, and saw Justin Gray.

He stood there, watching the two of them with a cool, quizzical expression, the gun that had shot Tomlinson still held lightly in his right hand.

Meg drew back, making a startled, fearful noise. Robin tightened her grip to keep her from falling down the stairs.

"It's all right," she soothed, "he won't hurt us. He's with us now. He's one of the good guys."

The gun swung in their direction. Gray smiled. "You sure about that, Doc?"

Robin shook her head, irritated with him. "Justin, stop fooling around."

But the gun didn't waver, and neither did his smile. "No foolin'. Looks like I'm sitting in the catbird seat now, wouldn't you say?"

"Mom amp;" The word from Meg was a tremulous moan.

Robin stared at Gray, unable to process what was happening, unable to think.

"Still think you're gonna save the world?" Gray asked. "I got news for you. This old world is long past saving. And us leopards don't never change our spots."