Page 300 of Taken Away

Just once.

She wanted Mabel to understand that Anne knew.

About Aubrey.

About the will.

About Blackwood.

About all of it.

Then the mudroom door opened.

“You picked a fine night for this.”

Moose.

She heard the dog move onto the porch.

For one terrifying second, she thought he would come back inside.

Then the door closed.

The deadbolt clicked.

Anne moved.

Up the stairs.

Down the hall.

Into Mabel’s bedroom.

She pulled the mask over her face and slipped into the closet.

Then she waited.

Minutes passed.

Mabel came upstairs.

Anne heard every step.

The bedroom door opened.

The mattress shifted.

Pages turned.

Anne stood in the darkness, barely breathing.

Then Moose barked.

A violent crash shook the house.

Anne flinched.

Her shoulder struck the closet door.