Chosen Read Online Free PDF Page A

sirens.
    Emma decided the door to the left most likely led to the hallway, and it didn’t disappoint. The storeroom door was at the end of the hall, with the bathroom doors on the wall to the right. The bar was at the opposite end of the hallway. They slipped down the hall and Emma dragged Jake into the women’s bathroom before anyone spotted him. Relieved to see it had two stalls, she locked the door behind them. She stood in front of the mirror and took her ponytail holder out of her hair, fluffing it with her fingers.
    “I want you to hide in one of the stalls while I go out to the bar and wait for Will.” She hoped Will was smart enough to look for them here. If he was still alive. He could have been caught in the gunfire.
    “Okay, Mommy,” Jake answered, to Emma’s relief.
    She put on lipstick, powdered her face and dug out a small bottle of perfume, hoping to mask any BO. Not that she needed to worry; it was already obvious the building was poorly air-conditioned. Her goal was to fit in without drawing too much unwarranted attention and a quick glance in the mirror confirmed it. The only thing left was her shirt. She stripped off the one she wore and replaced it with the one in her purse.
    Emma ushered Jake into a stall and lowered the toilet lid. “Lock the door behind me, then sit on the toilet seat with your feet up so no one can see you. Okay?”
    Jake nodded.
    She leaned down and kissed his cheek. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll come get you as soon as Will gets here.”
    “I’m not afraid. Will is coming.”
    “Shut the door behind me.” Jake obeyed and she heard the lock sliding into place as someone pounded on the bathroom door.
    “Hey, open the door! I gotta pee.” A woman’s slurred voice was muffled by the heavy wooden door. “What did ya lock the door for?”
    Steeling herself, she turned the lock.
    A middle-aged woman with too much makeup and reeking of alcohol shoved her way in. “There’s two stalls! You don’t need to lock the damn door.”
    “Sorry, I had to go to the bathroom.” Emma swayed to the side as if she lost her balance and giggled.
    “Damn drunk,” The woman mumbled, heading for the empty stall. Emma cast a glance toward Jake’s hiding spot and walked out the door.
    Emma assessed the room as she entered. An unoccupied table next to the hallway caught her attention. From there she could see when someone came and went to the bathroom. She could also see the front door. It provided the perfect vantage point.
    She walked up to the counter and a bartender sauntered over. “What can I getcha, darlin’?” he asked with a wink. A cowboy hat hung low over his wrinkled brow and the buttons on his shirt strained over his extended gut.
    “I’ll take a glass of water and a scotch on the rocks.”
    He grabbed a couple of glasses and started making the drinks. “Ain’t seen you here before.”
    “Just dropping in tonight.” She handed him money as he gave her the glasses.
    “You just let me know if you need anything.” He tipped the edge of his hat.
    She took the glasses to the table and sat down. The bar was busier than she expected on a weekday night. Wooden tables that looked like they had seen their prime in the 1970s cluttered the room, occupied by patrons who appeared to have seen better days themselves. A couple of beat-up pool tables filled the opposite corner; draped over them were men in cowboy hats carrying pool cues and beer bottles. A ragtag country band played on a makeshift stage, and the lead singer crooned slightly off key. Some patrons danced in a small area in front of the stage. Others were deep in conversation.
    Emma picked up the glass of water and sipped it, scanning the room for signs of anything suspicious. She hoped Will wouldn’t take too long getting there, and hoped he hadn’t gotten shot. Her breath caught at the thought. If something happened to him, she and Jake were in big trouble. But Jake said he would come. She released her breath in