THE PEOPLE WHO HAD wanted Iris, the people who had tried to trap her in New York, the people who she was now one hundred percent positive killed her family had come within seconds of trapping her in her parents' house. She had thought for a moment that one of them, the man whose picture she'd seen on the news, was going to try and pull her out of her car as she drove away. But he had only stared at her as she drove off. Then, thinking at first she was free, a flash of lights swept across her rearview mirror as a car pulled from the curb and began following her."No! Leave us alone!" she had said as she pressed the gas pedal down.In the back, Iris first laughed, then screamed in surprise as she slid along the upholstered seat. Marion looked back, aware she had not secured the child, but knowing she couldn't stop now to do anything about it."Iris, sweetheart, give me your hand," Marion said. She stretched her right arm back toward the girl, hoping Iris would understand. "Come on, please. Take my hand."After a moment, Iris reached out her small five-year-old hand and put it in Marion's.
