AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Rhett made a gesture with his fist that Constance took to mean,Be quiet.
Then he killed the light.
They waited, watching the door of the barn. A bright circular beam ran around the gaps in the slats and between the bottom of the door and ground. The door creaked open.
Rhett hooked his arm around Stanzi’s head and clamped his hand over her mouth. Her muffled cry came into his palm as a figure edged into the barn, holding a bright light. The lantern was set on the ground, and as the light shone upward Rhett could see the person was an older woman, training a shotgun around the barn.
His brain immediately assessed and categorized the scene: elderly civilian with what looked like a Sako, which would be lightweight, but accurate. The way she held the weapon told him she knew how to use it. There was only one way in and one way out of this place, and the old lady was blocking it. Options were limited.
She lowered the weapon and drew something out of her pocket. A flashlight clicked on, which she shined around the barn. Rhett and Stanzi both ducked beneath the ledge and waited as the light passed over top of them. Stanzi’s cool fingers wrapped around his wrist, just beneath his watch, and squeezed.
Another pass of bright light, before it finally went out. The barn door creaked, then banged shut. Rhett raised his head and peeked over the ledge. There was nothing but blackness, punctuated by moonlight through the many gaps and holes eating through the rotted structure.
“We’re going to scale down in the dark,” he whispered. “Can’t risk the flashlight. I’ll go first and be on the ground to catch you.”
Stanzi squeezed his wrist again.
Rhett felt around in the dark until his fingers lit on the rope. He rappelled down, landed without a sound and waited. A few seconds later, the rope wiggled in his hand. Stanzi gave a series of soft, whispered grunts as she made her way down. Near the bottom, Rhett grabbed her around the waist and eased her to the wooden floor. He took her sweaty hand and led her toward the door, taking his steps slow and silent.
When he reached the door, he peered through the slats. All he saw was darkness. Just as he was about to push the door open as quietly as he could, he caught a whiff of cigarette smoke.
“Is she gone?” Stanzi’s whisper filtered upward.
Rhett didn’t answer. He put his finger to his lips. Stanzi hushed as he pushed her behind him, just in case. After a couple of minutes, the sounds of a rough foot in the grass, maybe stomping out a cigarette, came through the door. Another minute passed before the old woman cleared her phlegmy throat, followed by footsteps heading away from the barn.
Rhett closed his eyes, which allowed him to detect, about twenty seconds later, the sound of a door creaking a ways off, about as far off as the house was from the barn. “C’mon.” Rhett shook Stanzi’s shoulder. “Let’s get the dog and go.”
They drove in silence. Rhett had clicked off the radio as soon as the dog was loaded in the back seat, atop an old blanket, and the wheels were rolling. The windows were down, which eased the smell of blood, piss, shit, vomit and dirt that came from the back. Everything that had happened that night rolled through Constance’s mind, along with every possible feeling that could accompany those actions. Delayed fear, adrenaline drain, disbelief, even pride. The only thing she didn’t feel was guilt.
Except for maybe the reaction she was betting she’d get from Dr. Winters. “Another one, Cici?” she would say. “Where do you expect me to put them all?” Then she’d sigh and say, “Bring him in.”
“Oh, shit,” Rhett said, his voice a low growl. “What’s going on there?”
When Constance first saw the red and blue flashing lights, her pulse jacked up so fast she thought she might pass out. “Slow down.”
The Jeep rolled to a crawl as it neared what had to be three or four police vehicles. Two people in handcuffs were being led toward the backs of the vehicles. One of them was a tall, skinny woman and the other a bearded man in a baseball cap.
Constance’s heart slowed, the beats rough and hard with adrenaline but losing their steam. She smiled so hard a laugh escaped her lips.
“What is it?” Rhett peered at her, his eyes narrowing in confusion.
“That,” Constance said, her voice giddy, “is Janice Matteri. Being arrested.”
