Page 79 of Evidence of Deceit

“Claire, hi, sweet …”

“Hillll …”

Her voice was weak. She prayed Joe would understand and get here quickly and with the police.

“What?” he screamed. “Claire, what…”

Damn, she hung up on him while she was working the tape. No sense in calling back. She tried to hold her breath as much as possible, but her vision doubled, and she was exhausted.

One more try.

She got her right hand free. Tore the tape from her left and opened the door. Fell on the cement, gasped for air. She needed to get out of the garage. She crawled up to the door, ignoring the stones that pinched her knees. Opened the door as quietly as she could and heard noises in the background. People were laughing. Was someone with Hillary? God, she hoped not. Then recognized the sound as the TV in the background. TV? Oh, dear lord, was Hillary still here and watching TV, making herself at home? Waiting for what? Her death. Not happening today.

She dragged herself up and snuck into the mudroom. Peeked around and saw Hillary laughing at some show on TV. Bitch.

She picked up a lamp from the small table. Shhh, hadHillary heard her? She stopped, her heart thumping so hard in her chest, she was sure Hillary could hear it over the TV.

She crawled into the living room, holding the lamp in front of her.

Thump.

Damn, she couldn’t control her actions, and the lamp scraped on the floor. Had Hillary heard it? She lay still. Listened. No movement from Hillary. Good, she hadn’t. She creeped on her belly behind the sofa, still holding the lamp. The next step was going to hurt, and she prayed she had enough strength to do it. She slowly stood up. Brought the lamp back and smashed it on Hillary’s head.

But not hard enough. It surprised Hillary but didn’t hurt her. Hillary jumped up. Her eyes narrowed.

“Oh, you bitch,” she screamed. “Why won’t you just die?”

Hillary reached for the cheese knife and hurdled the sofa. “You’re not getting out of here alive tonight.”

Claire lunged at her but tripped over the lamp shards. She managed to get up and grab Hillary’s wrist, stopping the hand that held the knife.

Hillary kicked at her, but Claire hung on. Finding an extra burst of strength, she sank her teeth into Hillary’s wrist. Hillary screamed, and the knife fell on the floor. They both scrambled for it, but Hillary was stronger, struck Claire on the side of the head and was able to grasp the knife. She pulled Claire close to her body.

“Bitch, you’re dying tonight, one way or the other.”

Chapter Forty-Five

Sam was in her Jeep; the sun was low in the sky, and she was heading toward the beach. It was her happy place. Her favorite playlist was playing, and she sang with it at the top of her lungs. Life was good.

She thought she might stop by and see if Claire wanted to grab a drink or go for a walk on the beach. Weeks this stressful needed more than one drink, but she was driving, so one it would be.

Mark had a business meeting, and she promised to meet him later for a little R&R. She snorted. Riiight. It was more like wild monkey sex when they got together.

Warm thoughts of Mark and sex were interrupted by an incoming phone call.

“Hello.”

“Troy Romano here. I have information you might be interested in.”

“Go on.”

He described the situation. What she said. What he said. Where he stood on all that. Her heart thumped so hard, she could barely hear him over it. Wiping one moist, sweaty palmon her pants, she looked around. No cars. She pulled off to the side of the road.

“How long ago was she in your office?”

Silence. “Yesterday.”

Yesterday, and he just thought about calling now. Sam groaned. “Why the wait?”

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