“Don't open the door,” I repeated.
Suddenly, I heard a man's voice in the background.
“Mrs. Carter? Is everything all right?”
Mom's breathing grew uneven.
“He's knocking again.”
Detective Ortiz leaned toward the phone.
“Mrs. Carter, this is Detective Leah Ortiz. Officers are on their way. Please move away from the entrance and remain inside.”
My mother gave a frightened little gasp.
“Detective? Emma, what has happened?”
“I'll explain everything soon.”
Then a loud noise came through the phone.
A door handle rattling.
I nearly dropped the device.
“Mom!”
“He's trying the door!”
“Get away from it!”
The detective spoke sharply into her radio.
I heard my mother moving.
Footsteps.
A chair scraping.
Then silence.
“Mom?”
No answer.
“Mom, please!”
Finally, her voice returned.
“I'm in the back bedroom. I've locked the door.”
I pressed my hand against my chest.
“Good. Stay there.”
Through the telephone, I heard a muffled thump.
