Page 43 of I Know She Was There

“You tell me! Why can’t I move?”

She sighed, shaking her head slightly. “You had a tough night, Caroline. I’m trying to help you like you asked me to, but I’m worried about you.”

I thought of the shadow I’d seen every time I stirred in my sleep. A creepy sentinel in the corner of the room, in the ladderback chair next to the closet. “Did you... did youwatchme sleep?” I sputtered.

“I certainly did. How else could I ensure you’d be safe?” She smiled brightly. “I’ve brought you eggs for breakfast. Don’t they smell delicious?”

“I’m leaving, Mary. Help me up.”

Mary placed the tray on the dresser. “I couldn’t allow that, not yet.”

“And why not?” I demanded.

“Because you haven’t had breakfast.”

She shuffled to the corner of the room and pulled the chair toward the bed.

“I’m not hungry.” My voice sounded petulant, obstinate as a rebellious child.

“You know the first meal of the day is the most important,” she said, her voice bright as she looked down at me. “And you desperately need some food in you.”

“I am perfectly fine.”

“I know you think you are, but trust me, I know better.”

I laughed despite my rage. An ancient lush who’d caused her husband’s death was going to care forme. I’d have a better chance of surviving with Dr. Kevorkian as my nursemaid. “Why would you say I’m not well? I’m perfectly healthy.”

“If you’re of sound mind, you’ll tell me where you were all last night.” She grabbed the tray and settled in the chair she’d pulled alongside the bed.

I stared at her. She had me there. WherehadI been after my argument with Jeffrey at the convenience store and before Mary confronted me in my car? I blinked. I couldn’t think of that right now. I had to get this maniac to admit she’d drugged me. “How am I supposed to feed myself when I’m like this?” I looked down at my still body.

“I’ll feed you, dear,” she said, digging a fork into the pile of scrambled eggs with gusto.

“Mary, you need to help me up and out of here. You know you do. It’s against the law to force someone to stay in your house.”

“Not if that person is a danger to herself.”

“Mary, I’m warning you...”

She smirked and held the forkful of eggs up to my mouth. “Please try to understand that I’m feeding you only because it’s what’s best for you. Now let’s try one little mouthful.” She pressed the tines against my lips.

I jutted my chin, sending the eggs flying off the fork.

“Honestly, Caroline, look what you’ve done.” She dropped the empty fork back onto the plate and lifted the tray as she stood. “Now you’ll have to sit there, breakfast on top of you rather than in you.” She sighed and left the room.

Was this really happening? Had my ditzy octogenarian neighbor managed to imprison me in her spare bedroom?

Think, Caroline.

I wondered what could have prompted Mary to take such drastic action against me. What could she gain by alienating me? I was her only acquaintance. No one else was ever over here. Why would she...

And then I understood. Mary was alone but didn’t want to be. She wanted to glom on to me, ensure I was alone too. Focusing all attention on her.

She was conspiring with Tim. Helping him prove the case against me, so I’d have no choice but to hand over custody of Emmy. Then Mary would have me all to herself.

I bit my lip. No, that couldn’t be right. Tim wouldn’t condone such behavior. As much as I blamed him for ruining our family, I knew he wouldn’t stoop to this level to gain custody. He wouldn’t have to. He made all the money. If he wanted to snatch Emmy away, he could, on the grounds that he could support her better than I.

But Mary, poor, twisted Mary, didn’t realize this. She clearly figured if she could keep me here until Tim came back with Emmy, she’d convince him I was a danger to myself and unfit to care for an infant.

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