Screams
Mary had a key and knew the code to the alarm system that secured the door. It had been enough to get her into Ella’s room earlier, but it wouldn’t work for her purposes now because it wouldn’t explain what she was doing there to her former employers who would come running once they heard her scream.
She gave a soft tap on the door. Her text earlier to Roger would’ve been enough for him to expect her, though he didn’t know what she wanted. He was probably hoping she wanted something more, but he would be disappointed.
“Hey, beautiful. You need a morning roll in the hay?” the butler asked.
Mary smiled at him. They had fooled around quite a bit when she still worked here, but since she no longer did, she hadn’t gone out of her way to visit him. Until yesterday. Knowing she’d need his help to get back in the house after Ella’s text, she had made a point of enticing him while she was there swiping Teresa’s pill bottle and putting it in Ella’s room so she could find it. She’d done all that while the family was at Tim’s parents’ house for the funeral luncheon, so she was certain they wouldn’t have caught her anyway, but it was just as well Roger thought she was only there for him.
“Thanks for coming to let me in,” she said, pecking him quickly on the lips. He wanted more, but he’d have to wait--a long time. Once they all thought Ella was dead, she would probably never step foot in this house again. Bart had it all arranged so they’d get Ella as soon as she woke up and the three of them would be on a plane to Italy. “I got a message from Ella, and I’m worried about her.” She pushed past him into the kitchen.
“I’m sure she’s fine. Just missing that man she’s dating. Besides, I thought she didn’t have a phone.”
“I don’t know about any of that. Let me go check on her, and then I’ll meet you in the broom closet.” She dragged one finger down his cheek, knowing that would be enough to have his mouth watering.
“Okay.” He smiled at her with a longing in his eyes that would’ve made her laugh if she wasn’t trying so hard to be serious.
Mary headed up the backstairs, trying to be quiet. It was only around 7:00 in the morning, so she knew that Mrs. Sinders and the two girls would be asleep, but she had no idea what time Ella’s dad would be up.
She reached Ella’s door and took a deep breath. When she entered that room, she’d see the body of one of her best friends in the world, and she’d look like she was dead. As far as Mary could tell, she’d seem dead in every way. She wasn’t sure she was ready for this, but she had to go through with it anyway.
Without knocking, she turned the handle, glad it wasn’t locked. She’d seen guards outside of the house but none in here so far. Mary pushed the door open and stepped inside. “Ella?”
She was lying on the bed, still, her eyes closed. Mary crept across the room and looked down at her. Her face was pale, her dark hair falling over the side of her face, her chest not moving at all. Mary covered her mouth for a moment. The girl looked dead—that was for certain. A brief flicker of her fingers over Ella’s skin told her she felt dead, too. Cold. Unmoving. Stiff. Carefully, Mary placed her hand on Ella’s chest. It was as if her heart wasn’t beating at all. No air seemed to be coming in and out of her lungs either.
If she didn’t know better, she’d swear Ella was dead. And even though she did know better, she still thought there was a chance she was dead.
Mary saw the vial next to her and quickly scooped it up. Then, she hurried to the dresser and found Ella’s phone, sliding it into a secret pocket on the inside of the hem of her shirt, just in case Mr. Sinders and his men got a little pushy.
The note and bottle were in place. Ella definitely seemed dead. Now, it was time for Mary to convince them she was. It shouldn’t be hard under the circumstances.
Mary sucked in a deep breath and then let out a bloodcurdling scream.
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