Page 10 of Saving Blood

“Chastity Parker.”

“Okay, Chastity, try to stay calm. Help is coming.”

Chastity wasn’t sure how much longer she stayed crouched in the tub while the 911 operator asked her mundane questions about where she worked and what her hobbies were. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she heard voices downstairs.

“I think they’re here.” She cracked the bathroom door again and eased out into bedroom avoiding the bed and what must’ve been a bloody scene.

The hallway overlooked the first floor, and a shaky relief swept over her when she saw two uniformed police standing in the foyer.

Chastity gripped the phone harder. “They’re here.”

“Good, you’re safe now.”

Chastity flew down the hallway and then the staircase, skidding to a halt in front of the cops as they talked to Rafael and another man.

“I’m so glad you’re here.” Chastity pointed to Rafael. “He shot my friend, Tiffany, and another man, Manuel.”

“What?” Rafael’s lips twisted to a smile. His handsome face had taken on the look of a reptile.

“Did you call in a 9-1-1 about a double murder?” the shorter cop asked her.

“Yes, upstairs, I can show you.”

The men exchanged a glance like she was crazy, but when they saw the bedroom, they’d change their opinion. Taking the stairs two at a time, Chastity raced down the hall and flung open the door, followed by the police, Rafael and the older man.

She bolted into the room and froze for the second time in twelve hours. She slowly inched forward. The bed was completely stripped down to the mattress with no trace of the massacre that occurred.

“You know, miss, it’s a felony to call in a false report.”

“It’s not a false report. I saw it with my own eyes.” Chastity blinked a few times as her mind short-circuited with doubt and confusion, then she pointed to the bed. “They were right here. That’s probably why the bed is stripped. If you find those sheets, you’ll see they’re covered with blood. My friend’s blood.”

“The cleaning staff is here today. The beds are stripped and cleaned weekly.” Rafael led them out of the bedroom and down the stairs. “I’ll take you to the laundry room; you can see for yourself.”

“That won’t be necessary.” They returned to the foyer, and the cop turned to Chastity. “I’ll let this go, miss, but calling us here under false pretenses is very serious.”

“How many times have I told you not to bring these young girls to the house?” the older man scolded Rafael then turned to the police. “My son likes pretty ladies, and, unfortunately, sometimes they indulge in drugs stronger than marijuana.”

“I wasn’t smoking marijuana or doing any other drug. I know what I saw and I know who did it.” She pleaded with the other cop. “You have to believe me.”

Both cops drew in deep, frustrated breaths, then turned to the older man. “In the future, please keep tabs on who your son brings to the house and what they get up to.”

“We didn’t get up to anything. He killed two people. Why won’t you believe me?”

“Officers, I apologize for the inconvenience. I know you take your jobs very seriously, and I can assure you nothing like this will ever happen again.” The older man spread his arms wide. “Perhaps I’ve indulged my son in too many luxuries.”

“I get it. I have kids of my own,” the shorter cop agreed, then turned to Chastity. “We’ll let you off with a warning, miss, but don’t let this happen again.”

The cops turned toward the entrance.

Chastity rushed forward. “No, please, don’t go.” When they reached the door, she pulled on the cop’s arm. “Don’t leave me here. Please take me with you.”

“Miss, please don’t make this any worse.”

“But I’m not . . .” Her words faded with the slamming of the thick wooden door, and the police were gone.

Chastity lunged for the door, but Rafael easily grabbed her around the waist, pulling her back with his hand over her mouth. He spun her around to face him as she heard the patrol car pull away from the mansion.

“Don’t bother screaming,” Rafael warned. “Because there is no one else in the house, and the neighbors are too far away to hear.” He slowly removed his hand but kept a tight hold on her.

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