Chapter 27
S amara
Crossing into my bedroom, I avoided the bloodstain on the carpet and ran to the closet.
I changed into a black t-shirt and yoga pants with black sneakers and checked my purse for what little cash I still had and my Gwen Stevens IDs. He’d be able to trace them, of course, but hopefully I’d be across the border, already have a new ID, and be in the wind before he caught up to me.
Placing my ear to the outer door, I listened for any sound of movement. There was none. Still, I knew Jim must be there.
Taking the lamp off the bureau, I unplugged it and ripped off the shade before hoisting the heavy glass and metal base over my head. Standing just to the right of the door, I inhaled deeply before letting out a loud scream.
Jim came bursting through the door.
The moment he did, I slammed the lamp down onto this skull. He crumpled to the floor without so much as a whimper. Tossing the lamp aside, I whispered a quick apology to his prone form.
Creeping over to my bedroom door, I peeked my head out and surveyed the hallway.
It was quiet and still.
Careful to avoid any squeaks in the floorboards I had noticed earlier on my tour, I made my way down to the main floor and into the kitchen where there was a door to the garage. Rose had shown it to me earlier, bragging about her boss’ taste in luxury cars.
I surveyed my options.
Escalade
Porsche 911
Audi A4
Cadillac CTS
BMW 3 Series
I decided on the Audi. It was less flashy than the others.
I didn’t want to stick out on the road. Going to the key box, I selected the one with the Audi key chain.
After opening the car door, I placed the car in neutral then went to the side wall and pressed the automatic garage door button.
Immediately, I dove into the backseat of the Audi and hid just in case someone came to investigate.
A bead of sweat slid from between my shoulder blades down to my lower back as I tensely waited.
The evening remained still and calm. No cry of alarm.
Getting out of the car, I circled around to the back and pushed.
The hardest part was just getting it rolling.
It didn’t budge. I turned around and pushed with my back, bending my knees to use all my weight.
Finally, the car inched forward. Then it rolled.
Thank God he had a smooth asphalt driveway and not a gravel one.
I pushed the car till it was a few lengths away from the gate at the end of the drive.
Getting behind the wheel, I found the gate remote and pressed the button.
The gate silently slid open on greased rails.
Once more, I got out to push the car. By the time it was through the gate, I was sweaty and exhausted.
This had taken way longer than I thought it would, and my heart raced at the idea Gregor could return home at any moment.
I turned the ignition on, and the car hummed to life, then I drove out of the cul-de-sac as I fiddled to put the air conditioning on blast.
I finally allowed myself to breathe.