The Secret We Carry

the doorway, the gun steady in her h

hardly catch

Clara's unrestrained fury made it feel like some kind of

happened, this isn't the answer." "You think this is about you?" Clara

ed the gun to Elena. Steven whined. Ele

said, her voice trembling, whether fro

know what it means--

u've always known that, haven't you?" Elena gest

t lost. You lied to him." Clara's whole body shoo

"She's your daughter," said Elena while still speaking slowly, ca

om her body. But just when Paul began to feel he could trust his o

!" Paul didn't move. Neither did Elena.

pulling to curb. Someone stepped out. Dark coat. Confident large st

way quickly to the house. Clara sat froze

ed at Paul quickly - this

just as

et authority about him. He was paralyzed, even with the gun in his face, presumably

d to act yet." P

had no choice. They were slipping away

id coolly. He turned to Paul and Elena.

ening. "Who the hell are you?" P

aid "Federal." But not police. Somethi

n danger... you have your family that is a part of a more complicated act, in asking qu

at?

ul. "You tell her or I will

haking now. "They were supposed to protect

lena didn't know what to think. Paul look

lara's husband,"

rs.. and Clara-- was not just my wife."

hings illegally from one place t

gnment. But over time, the lines b

ra cried. Elena held her son, tig

imagined it'd come back in this way." Clara raised the gun ag

No

rom behind -- Rivas was quicker than anybody expected and knocked

was screaming too, pulling away. Elena seized the child in her arms, mai

with excitement in his face. "It's ov

e glued to the street. Because parked across the st

whispered, "That's not the feds." Rivas

a man stepped from the car. And

envelope. From Paul. But not from C

ead." The man smiled. "Time to