The Bound Between Us

Herman had once suspected Sandy-and even Asher.

But it turned out neither of them was to blame.

Whoever did this, it wasn't them.

The scene had been brutal. The four kidnappers were found dead, their faces

unrecognizable from the violence. At the cave, police discovered blood from a fifth

person-someone who wasn't among the dead or Anastasia. But the DNA didn't

match anyone in the system.

So who was the fifth person? No one knew yet.

Until that person was found, what really happened in that cave would stay a

mystery.

The house was steeped in shadows. Herman reached for the light switch, but

Anastasia stopped him, panic flickering in her eyes. She couldn't stand the light.

She seemed made for the dark now-like a wounded creature, hiding away, afraid

to be seen, afraid to be touched.

She wouldn't let Herman near. Wild-eyed, she pushed him away, her voice

breaking: "Go! Just go, please!"

The heavy door slammed between them, sealing her in.

Herman stood there, fists clenched, his breath ragged with helplessness. He

pressed his forehead against the wall before slamming his fist into it, desperate to

let out his pain.

Salma, Anastasia's mother, had barely left Southridge Estates since the incident.

Hearing the commotion, she hurried upstairs.

"Son, how is Ana?" she asked, her voice trembling with worry.

just shook his

knocked softly, her voice small and pleading. "Ana, honey,

open the door for me,

beneath her blanket, hands clamped

Every time she

the last bits of light

answer the door. Instead, her voice rang out, raw and

want to

cried so

were nearly swollen shut.

been for James and his quick thinking-thank God

permanent damage from

her mind, even the use

four kidnappers were dead, taking their secrets

little they could: the four were all

family, no connections, no

figure out how

time for different crimes, never met before,

brought

Lucas is here,"

Lucas was leading the

with this case-there were too many

and it hit too close to

steadying breath and turned to Salma. "Mom, please keep an

anything happens,

was scared Anastasia

her eyes and nodded.

Herman had sent the kids to Salstrom

out of harm's way.

in the living

in, concern written

"How's Anastasia doing?"

woke up. She's...

Herman sat down, lighting

with shaking

smoking too much

that fifth

shook his

yet. Herman, this

reeks of planning. Try

remember-have you or Ana