The Sleeping Beauty Killer

70

From the top of the stairwell, Laurie could see Angela and Charlotte next to the warehouse elevator. Angela’s back was to Laurie, and she was pulling some type of cloth from around Charlotte’s lower legs. Charlotte was facing out, leaning against the wall.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” she heard Angela say. “Not with this anyway.”

Laurie saw her opportunity. She stepped out from the dark stairwell and into the room, and waved both arms. Please let her see me, she prayed. Please let her see me.

The warehouse room was cavernous and dimly lit. Charlotte would only notice her here if she was looking in this direction. She fumbled with her cell phone to pull up the flashlight function.

She found another chance when Angela moved toward the elevator. She waved the beam of the phone quickly in Charlotte’s direction and then immediately turned it off.

Did she see me? There was no way to know.

Then she heard Charlotte’s voice. “Angela, explain something to me. How did you manage to kill Hunter and frame Casey?”

Laurie felt herself breathe again. Her plan may have worked. Charlotte was trying to buy some time. Hopefully she knows I’m here.

But she couldn’t help Charlotte from here. She began moving slowly across the room, searching for the darkest shadows as she made her way toward her friend.