Almost Dead by T.R. Ragan Read Free Book Online Page A

her gaze fastened on the ceiling, the muscles in her body contracted and then relaxed, again and again, until finally her legs and arms began to shake uncontrollably.
    The next few minutes were excruciatingly long. Jenny didn’t move from her seat. She just wanted it to be over.
    Quit being a baby. You’re finally sticking up for yourself. She deserves to die, and you deserve to watch her do it.
    Another moment passed before Jenny stood and walked over to Terri. She hovered over her, knowing she couldn’t leave until she was certain Terri was dead.
    Terri stopped shaking long enough to reach both arms upward toward Jenny. “Please help me.”
    Jenny’s plan had been to pull off her wig and reveal herself while she watched Terri die. Jenny had even gone out of her way to look into the mirror and practice what she would say: Who’s the clever one now? Who has the last laugh? But she couldn’t do it. She walked back to the kitchen and picked up the phone, ready to dial 911.
    Don’t be stupid. The bitch stole your formula and took all of the credit. If she had any respect for you, she would have contacted you months ago. Nobody likes you. Brandon treated you like a whore. The people on your list all treated you like trash. It’s time to stand up for yourself. It’s time to take control.
    Jenny looked over her shoulder at Terri and saw that she was no longer moving.
    She set the phone down and slowly, methodically retrieved gloves and a plastic bag from her purse. She took all the dishes from the table. Poured out the milk, washed and dried every dish, wiped fingerprints from the phone, table, and chairs. She dumped the cake along with the plate into the plastic bag, making sure to seal it tightly before putting it inside her oversized bag. When there was nothing left on the table or in the sink, she wiped down all the furniture one more time. She then removed and folded the gloves, tucked them into her bag along with everything else. She peeked out the peephole to make sure nobody was outside. It was all clear.
    She stretched the sleeves of her sweater over the fingers of her right hand, making sure not to leave prints on the door handle. And then she dared one last look at Terri, whose eyes were wide open. One thin trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.
    It’ll get easier. I promise.

CHAPTER 11
    Two o’clock Thursday, while Lizzy taught her defense class downtown, Kitally and Hayley continued the search for any clue that might lead them to the daughter Pam Middleton gave up twenty-five years ago.
    “I think I found the man who adopted Mrs. Middleton’s baby,” Hayley told Kitally. “Dan Blatt of Rocklin, California. He’s fifty, which would be the age of the man we’re looking for. He works at Ramsland Realty.” Hayley stood. “Let’s go.”
    Kitally raised a brow. “Why not just give him a call?”
    “People are more apt to give out information if we talk to them face-to-face.”
    “You don’t think he’ll tell us where his daughter is living?”
    “Not over the phone.”
    “Maybe she still lives at home.”
    “If so, we’ll find out. Let’s go.”
    “Can we take my car?” Kitally asked.
    “You have a problem with my Chevy? The vehicle that almost gave its life rescuing you from the slimy clutches of that creep Dow?”
    “The vehicle that almost took my life, you mean! You could’ve launched me through the back window with that heap of metal.”
    “That’s gratitude for you,” Hayley muttered.
    Kitally shrugged. “I seriously think it’s time for you to put that thing to rest.”
    “Come on—let’s go,” Hayley urged. “This has taken too much time as it is.”
    “Should we leave Lizzy a note?”
    “No. She’ll call if she needs us.”
    “Do you think Lizzy will be OK?”
    “I know she will be.”
    “There must be something we can do for her,” Kitally said.
    “We’re doing it. We just need to give her space.”
    It was quiet for a bit before Kitally changed