Page 63 of In Her Shadow

“He could have hired someone,” I suggest. “I did really piss him off.”

“Maybe, but don’t you think we would have heard from him by now? Either for some kind of ransom, or to gloat.”

“I hate this, she’s out there and I’m fucking powerless.” I grip my hair and pace the carpet in front of his desk.

“She seems attracted to the crazy kind, sure she hasn’t got any psycho exes?” His question suddenly clicks something into place.

“No, but I know of someone who wanted to be her boyfriend.” I tuck the gun back in my slacks and head out the door without giving him an explanation.

I believe my uncle. I’ve watched him lie a hundred times over, and everything I saw in front of me just then was real. I know that we’ll never speak again about what was said in that office. He’ll go back to being a closed-off asshole and I’ll keep letting him think he calls the shots.

ELOISE

Iknow I’m conscious because I can feel my head thumping. I try to move my legs, but they won't budge, and suddenly I panic when I think about my baby. Too scared to open my eyes, I silently pray for her to move. To kick out an arm, press on my bladder, or something that will assure me that she’s okay.

Eventually, it comes; a slow, gentle roll across my belly like she’s stretching out, and that makes me sigh with relief.

There's a humming sound coming from somewhere close, and I decide to be brave and open my eyes when I hear something familiar in it.

It takes a while for my vision to clear. I have no idea where I am. I recognize nothing from my surroundings, and when I see Katelyn over on the other side of the room, pottering around the kitchen, I breathe a sigh of relief. I try to move again, without success, and when I look up, I can see why. My hands and feet are tied to the bed I’m lying on in the centre of the cabin-style room.

“Katelyn,” I call out her name, but she doesn’t seem to hear me; she’s just carrying on chopping something up on one of the kitchen counters. I feel a sting on my palm, and when I look up and open my hand, I see a bloody bandage tied around it.

“Katelyn!” I call her name again, this time louder, and when I notice the bald man, lying on the floor and looking like he’s unconscious, I wonder if it’s the guy in the helmet.

“Oh, hey, sleepy head.” Katelyn makes her way over, carrying a bowl and sitting on the edge of the mattress beside me.

“Quick, untie me, before he wakes up! Do you know where we are?” I whisper, not wanting to stir him.

“It’s good to see you awake. You should eat.” She lifts a strawberry from the bowl and forces it into my mouth, and when I spit it back out at her, she frowns as if I’m the one acting crazy.

“Eat?Katelyn, we need to get out of here. Did you do that to him?” I look back down at the body on the floor. “Is there more than just one person?”

“Calm down, Eloise, you know it’s not good for the baby.” She pats my tummy and smiles.

“I’ll calm down when we get out of here.” I glance toward the front door that’s directly in front of us.

“Sweetheart, we’re not going anywhere.” She keeps smiling at me and it’s freaking me out.

“Katelyn, did he hurt you? I think you're in shock, and I need you to snap out of it for me. This is our chance to run.” I can feel the baby fidgeting inside me like she can sense my panic, and I have to take a breath and try my best to calm down.

“You really ought to eat, El, you told me yourself you could go into labor anytime.” Her hand slides over my belly, stroking it affectionately.

“Which is why it is crucial that we get our asses out of here,” I remind her, noticing that her eyes have a soft and dreamy look in them.

“Katelyn, I need you with me on this; untie me before he wakes up.”

“He’s not gonna wake up, he’s dead,” she assures me with a blank look on her face.

“I think he was the guy in the helmet. I saw him before I passed out back at your place. Do you know who he is?” I ask, relieved that he can’t hurt us anymore.

“Daniel? Daniel was committed.” She laughs smugly “It’s amazing what a man will do for you when you're offering him your pussy. I guess you’d know all about that.” She laughs a little more when her attention moves from the body on the floor back to me.

“Wait, are you saying that…”

“Jesus Christ, Eloise, are you dumb as well as naïve…?Yes. Daniel was the one who broke into your apartment, and he was the one who delivered you that card. And he did it all for me.” She giggles proudly.

“No…” I shake my head, refusing to believe it. You're my friend, you would never do that to me.

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