Devon screamed for Laney for the first few blocks, then she began clawing and hitting Julian with all her might. He screeched around a corner, throwing her across the back seat, simultaneously reaching for his gun in the passenger seat. He pointed it at her and snarled at her to buckle up. She did.

She began crying and begging him to let her go. “Please, let me go, I’m not rich, my parents aren’t rich! I’m just a girl!”

“Shut up! This will go a lot smoother if you are quiet and a good little girl!” Julian had never kidnapped a child. “Look, you’re in danger, okay? I’m saving both our lives. Now be quiet and behave! I have to think.”

After a moment of silence, Devon asked, “Is it that man with the greasy hair who took me to court and says he’s my father?”

“Yes. He…he killed your mother and he wants to kill you. Once he does that, he’ll kill me because I know. So we’re getting out of here.”

“Okay.” Devon sat quietly for the next hour. Her stomach began to growl, but she was afraid to say anything.