Page 42 of The Lost Girls of Willowbrook

“I don’t know,” she said. “But I have to try something. I’m warning you though, he can be a real asshole, especially when he’s drinking, which, if he’s home to answer the phone, he will be.”

“What should I say?”

“Tell him I came here on the bus and my purse was stolen. Tell him I’m not with Heather or Dawn or Noah.”

“Okay. Anything else that might convince him?”

Imagining Alan’s reaction to Eddie’s call, she suddenly remembered how he refused to answer the phone if he thought debt collectors were calling, which was usually the case. “If he doesn’t answer, would you be willing to go in person and talk to him face-to-face?”

“If you think it will help.”

“Ithasto help,” she said. She told him the address. Then she had another idea. “If you can get me a pen and paper, I could write him a note.”

Footsteps sounded out in the hall.

“Wayne’s coming back,” Eddie said.

She moved away from him and stood behind the chair she’d wielded earlier, her mind racing as she tried to think of anything else she should tell him. The footsteps stopped on the other side of the door. A key entered the lock.

“When will we be able to talk again?” she said.

“Soon. In the meantime, try to stay out of trouble. I’ll do whatever I can to help, but if you get sent to the pit, it’ll be a lot harder.”

She nodded.

The deadbolt clunked, one side of the double doors opened, and Wayne stepped into the room.

“All right, lovebirds,” he said. “Time to get dressed and call it a night.”

Eddie gave her a reassuring look, then turned to leave. Wayne shot her a lewd grin and held the door open for him.

“Thanks,” Eddie said to him.

“Anytime,” Wayne said, thumping him on the back. “Anytime.”

When Eddie disappeared into the hall, Sage started toward the door, anticipation and fear making her tremble. If she could make it through another twenty-four hours until Eddie told Alan she was there, she’d be going to the press about Willowbrook and her missing sister. And Wayne.

Before she could exit, Wayne stepped in front of her, blocking the doorway. “What’s your hurry?” he said.

She stopped and took a step back, dropping her eyes to the floor.

“Looks like your little boyfriend missed you while you were gone,” he said. “Come to think of it, now that I’ve lost the urge to wring your neck, I missed you too.”

She took another step back, ready to run or fight if he shut the door and came after her. She’d scream and grab a chair to bash him over the head like she’d almost done to Eddie. Maybe Eddie would hear her and come back. “Please leave me alone,” she said.

Wayne leaned against the doorframe, leering at her as if waiting to see if she’d try something. After what felt like forever, he moved aside to let her pass. “Lucky for you I’ve got better things to do with my evening,” he said.

She skirted around him and rushed out the door. No one was in the hallway except Eddie, who was mopping the floor several yards away. She started toward him, walking fast.

“Why so skittish?” Wayne called after her, locking the door. “You got ants in your pants?”

She ignored him and kept going.

“You okay?” Eddie said as she neared.

“Can you walk me back to the ward?” she whispered. “I don’t want to be alone with him.”

He shook his head. “Sorry. Marla would blow a gasket.”

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