The panic room felt like it was closing in on Emma. Her father's voice, unmistakable, continued to call out to her. She pressed her hands over her ears, trying to block out the sound that had haunted her nightmares for years.
Tom wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. "We're going to get through this," he whispered, but Emma could hear the tremor of uncertainty in his voice.
Detective Ramirez paced the small space, his phone pressed to his ear. "Where the hell is our backup?" he hissed into the device. "We've got civilians in danger and a known criminal on site!"
Emma's mind raced. How had her father found them? How had he gotten out of the hospital? The questions swirled in her head, making her dizzy with fear and confusion.
A loud bang against the panic room door made them al
