There was a sneer in Cher’s voice. Brodie did not look at her. She was watching Leland, still hoping he would give up and let her go. Instead he looked to be struggling to maintain control. It looked to her like he was barely hanging on. Cher’s next words made Brodie’s stomach sink. “I told you, we gotta get rid of her.” “No. She’s confused. She—” “You had the guts to get rid of the old man. What is your problem with the kid?” “Shut up!” The ferocity of his reaction made Brodie jump. Cher, too, reacted, loosening her grip on Brodie’s arm. It was only for a second, but instinct took over. Leland was in front of her, the lake behind. Brodie pulled herself free of Cher’s hand and took off, skirting the fence and heading back onto the grounds of the fort. Her first idea was to escape by the turnstile gate, maybe jam it with something so they could not follow her through. That would put her in the Visitor’s Center parking lot. Beyond it was Mackinaw City, where there were people, businesses, residences.
