Page 74 of The Woman I’ve Become

She’s right. It was a risk. But one I had to take. Sure, I could have paid someone else to do it. There are people on the dark web who will do anything for the right price. But whenever another person is involved, that’s the real risk. Dead men don’t tell tales. Live ones, however, can never be trusted not to use the knowledge for future gains.

I did what I had to do.

Julia’s expression remains stone cold. She turns to Alicia. “We need to talk privately.”

“Nothing she says changes things,” Alicia argues as she snatches up her phone. “She did this to you, and now she has to pay for it. Right? We agreed.”

Sounds as if sweet little Alicia likes the idea of doing something really bad to me. No surprise. After the first kill, it always gets easier. She may not have pushed Eleanor down those stairs, but she was involved in the planning and the aftermath.

“Nothing has changed,” Julia assures Alicia as she grabs her phone, then shoots a lethal glare at me. “She’s not walking away this time.”

My old friend always was a selfish, ungrateful bitch. Too bad I didn’t see it before it was too late.

On their way out of the room, I notice that Julia has a pronounced limp. The Monster did a number on her. A moment of regret trickles into the other churning emotions. I mentally block it. No time for that. Not that she deserves it, anyway.

All involved, including me, understand that only one Julia will walk away from this, and the plan is for it not to be me. Unless I come up with a really good strategy. Fast.

Once this Brian shows up, I’ll have a serious problem.

At the moment I turn my full attention to my bindings. I figure I have a few minutes to get loose and run before they come back.

32

Leaning forward and to my right, I use my thumb to tug the long chain from beneath my shirt. The cross tumbles out last, and I struggle to manipulate my fingers to hold it in a position so that I can grip with my teeth the small metal sheath that covers the blade.

My heart thuds in my ears so loudly, I fear they will hear it all the way in the kitchen. They’re still speaking quietly, so I can’t make out their conversation. It doesn’t take much to put together a scenario of the subject matter. Me, and the best way to get rid of me while assuring they can still achieve their ultimate goal.

Not going to be easy, girls.

I would think that aspect was planned in advance. Maybe my recounting of taking out the keepers has them thinking twice about how much trouble I’ll be to handle. I’m doubtful that will give them pause for long. After the accident my damaged body isn’t what it once was. Besides, they have crossed a line that cannot be uncrossed. Mercy would not be in their best interests.

Once the cover of the little blade is off, I let it go, allowing it to fall to the floor. I slide it beneath the chair with my foot and then once more use my teeth to grip the other end of the faux cross. Slowly, jerkily, I attempt to saw at the scarf binding my right arm. The irony of my being secured this way is not lost on me. The silk is not exactly the easiest fabric to slice through. Once I get my rhythm, the very sharp, never-before-used blade makes it less difficult than it might otherwise be.

Footsteps have me tucking the cross and chain back into my shirt before I straighten to an upright position. With a deep breath I brace for whatever is next. The scarf on my right wrist is loose enough for me to pull free, but I don’t. No need to tip them off.

Julia settles on the sofa facing me. In a show of allegiance, Alicia stands behind her, her hands resting on the sofa back.

“I need more details about how you did what you’re suggesting you did.” Julia assesses me a moment. “I find it impossible to accept that you accomplished such feats alone. You always were good at making up stories.”

I get it. She thinks someone helped me. Not just anyone either. “If you’re under some foolish impression that Casey grew a conscience and decided to help, you can forget about it. That psycho was never going to help anyone but himself.”

Something like outrage blazes in her eyes. “Just give us the names and explain exactly what you did,” she insists in a low growl.

“I still need the phones off and on the table.” I look to Alicia. “Remember, be prepared to write this down so you can confirm on Google later.”

The two reluctantly comply.

“There’s a pad and pen in the drawer of that end table.” I nod to the one at the other end of the sofa.

Alicia gathers both and then looks to me to begin. But I hesitate. “I changed my mind. I’m not saying anything until you let me loose.” My mind is obviously still a little sluggish, or I would have recognized already that at the moment I have just a wee bit of leverage. I need to use it before it disappears.

“No way.” Alicia shakes her head.

“What?” I demand. “You’re afraid of me? I’m still weak from the ketamine and currently my ability to run isn’t that great.” Sadly both are true.

“Release her,” Julia instructs her minion.

I watch my old friend’s face as Alicia, her back to me, questions her in hushed tones and urges her to rethink that step. Julia watches me back. In the end, Alicia walks over and unties my hands. She frowns at the cut pieces.