Chapter 14
Margaret called at seven o'clock that night.
I was helping Poppy with her homework when my phone rang.
I didn't recognize the number. But I had a feeling.
I answered.
"Audrey."
Margaret's voice. Cold. Angry.
"Where is she?"
"Where is who?"
"Don't play dumb with me," she snapped. "Lena. She's gone. Her apartment is empty. Her phone goes straight to voicemail. What did you do with her?"
I felt my heart race. But I kept my voice calm.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Margaret. I haven't seen her since you brought her to my house."
"You're lying," she said. "She wouldn't just leave. Not without her money. Not without the promise of her baby being taken care of. You have her. I know you do."
"I don't have anyone," I said. "Maybe she just realized what kind of person you are and decided to get away while she still could."
Margaret was quiet for a moment.
"If you have her, Audrey, if you're hiding her... you're making a very big mistake. I will find her. And when I do, I will make sure both of you regret ever crossing me."
The line went dead.
I stood there, my phone in my hand, my heart pounding.
Lena came into the kitchen. She had heard everything.
"She knows," she whispered. "She knows I'm with you."
I shook my head.
"She suspects. But she doesn't know for sure. Not yet."
I looked at the clock. David said he would call in the morning to set up the meeting with the police.
We just had to make it through the night.
"Lock all the doors," I said. "And the windows. Don't answer the door for anyone. Not even if it's the police. Not unless I say so."
Lena nodded, her face pale.
I went to Poppy's room. She was sitting on her bed, reading a book.
"Hey, baby," I said. "Want to sleep in Mommy's room tonight?"
She smiled.
"Really?"
"Really."
She jumped off the bed and grabbed her stuffed rabbit and her favorite blanket.
I led her to my room and tucked her into my bed.
Then I went through the house, locking every door and window. Twice.
Lena was sitting on the couch in the living room, her arms wrapped around herself.
"I'm scared," she whispered.
I sat down beside her.
"Me too. But tomorrow we go to the police. And then it will be over. Margaret will be in jail. And we'll be safe."
She nodded, but she didn't look convinced.
At eleven o'clock, we heard a car pull up outside.
I turned off the lights and peeked through the curtains.
A black car. Expensive. I recognized it.
Margaret's car.
She sat in the driver's seat, staring at the house.
My heart raced.
What was she doing?
She sat there for twenty minutes. Just staring.
Then she started the car and drove away.
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
May you like
"She's gone," I said.
But I had a feeling she would be back.
