Chapter 8 - Open the Door
“Melissa,” Anna said, “step away from the door.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s going to try to get out.”
Dererick smiled faintly.
“You’re still pretending you control this.”
Anna looked at the locked bedroom window.
Then the closet.
Then the black equipment bag.
She needed time.
The police had not yet been called.
Her bluff would not protect her much longer.
She spoke loudly enough for Melissa to hear.
“Call 911.”
Dererick lunged.
Anna threw the ceramic lamp from the nightstand toward the bedroom door.
It struck the wall and shattered.
Melissa screamed.
Anna ducked as Dererick reached for her phone.
He caught her wrist.
She drove the miniature camera against his forearm.
The device fell but continued recording from the carpet.
Dererick twisted Anna’s arm behind her back.
“Unlock the door.”
“No.”
“You don’t understand how serious this is.”
“I understand you killed my mother.”
“I didn’t kill anyone.”
“Then let police see the drives.”
His grip tightened.
Melissa began pounding.
“Let her go!”
Dererick pulled Anna closer.
“Tell your sister to leave.”
Anna struggled to breathe evenly.
She refused to give him panic.
“Melissa, call the police and tell them Dererick recorded Mom.”
“I’m calling.”
Dererick released Anna suddenly and ran toward the closet.
He pulled the metal case from the dresser and began shoving drives into the black bag.
Anna grabbed the bedroom key.
She unlocked the door.
Melissa stood outside with her phone against her ear.
Her face was pale.
Dererick saw the open hallway.
He moved toward it.
Melissa stepped in front of him.
For the first time in her life, she did not retreat.
“You used me.”
Dererick stopped.
“You signed the documents.”
“You said Anna was sick.”
“She is.”
Anna lifted the second phone.
“Everything is recorded.”
Dererick looked at both sisters.
Then at the staircase beyond them.
Police sirens were still distant.
He had time to run.
But as he stepped into the hallway, another figure appeared at the top of the stairs.
May you like
Dr. Marcus Vale.
He was already inside the house.
