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“Something for the both of us,” he replied enigmatically, holding the bag out of her reach as she tried to grab it.
“Meanie!” She pouted, sticking out her tongue.
“You’ve made me certain I made the right choice of purchase!” he admonished her smugly.
She wagged a finger at him. “You bought one of those horrible paddles, didn’t you? Haven’t you got enough of those nasty things at home?”
He shook his head. “Never can have enough toys,” he stated with a twitch of his lips.
Liam joined them, holding a similar paper bag.
“Dear Lord, not you too!” Nicky exclaimed.
Liam turned to Max. “D’you have the impression that our sassy ladies are topping from the bottom?”
Max nodded sagely. “I surely do, perhaps now is the right time to take a break, go home and play with our new toys.”
“I couldn’t agree more! Nicola, are you about ready to leave?”
Nicky rolled her eyes at Josie and laughingly they left the Dome together, bantering as they walked along.
They arrived back at their house, having walked Josie’s grandparents home first. Max went to put the key in the lock. The door swung inwards; it was open. He put his finger to his lips and gestured for Josie to stay outside. Tearing the packaging off the large paddle, he brandished it as he stepped into the house. Josie followed him inside, ignoring his frantic signal for her to remain out front. Max pushed open the living room door and she gasped when she peered around him and saw the chaos beyond.
Ripped cushions lay scattered about the floor, broken shards of glass glistened amongst the debris. The coffee table lay drunkenly on its side and the drapes were slashed in several places.
Max turned. He saw her standing behind him and pushed her toward the hall but she shook her head at him and pointed down at the floor, indicating that she was staying where she was. He put his palm up in a stop signal showing that she should remain there. Although Josie nodded, she had no intention of letting him go ahead alone. Max moved forward into the inner hallway that led to the two bedrooms and their bathroom. Josie glanced around at the devastation surrounding her and wondered who would do such a horrible thing. Nervously she wondered if they’d interrupted a burglary. Max appeared in the doorway, followed by the very person who could answer all her questions.
Chapter 16
“Sandy, what is going on?” Josie demanded before she noticed the knife her friend gripped in her hand. It was one of their chef knives, the largest of the brand new set that hung on a magnetic knife rack in the kitchen. Josie wished she’d been the one who looked in the kitchen when they came in, she was sure she would have noticed that the knife was missing from the set.
“So, here we all are. Except there is somebody missing; can either of you two lovebirds tell me who that person is?”
Josie met Max’s eyes, bewildered. He looked as baffled as she was.
“Sean!” Sandy cried triumphantly.
“Is there something wrong with Sean?” Josie asked, trying to sound calm. The sneer that lifted Sandy’s mouth and the hate that filled her eyes sent a shudder of fear down her spine. She’d thought this woman was a friend but suddenly Sandy appeared insane.
“Wrong?” Sandy echoed.
“Yes, whatever is wrong, we will help you.”
“We’re your friends,” Max assured her.
Sandy poked him in the stomach with the tip of the knife. Josie watched in horror as a small dark red circle of blood seeped through the material of his shirt. “Sandy!” she screamed, shocked.
“Yeah, what?” Sandy cocked her head, looking almost amused by Josie’s terror.
“Please stop this right now,” Josie pleaded.
“Tell us what is wrong and let us try and help you!” Max added.
“Huh! Like you helped my Sean, you mean?” Sandy scoffed.
Max frowned, indicating that he had no idea what Sandy was talking about. “You are saying that I have met Sean?” he asked.
Sandy sneered. “Oh yes, you met me as well, but it seems you don’t recall either of us. Sean was just another slab of meat on the table to you! “ Her mouth twisted with hatred.
