Part 28 (1/2)
The last thing Carnie wanted to do was admit failure to her grandmother. As much as she despised the woman, she longed for her approval.
”h.e.l.lo?”
”I've got a big problem,” said Carnie.
”What did you do?” said Sylvia, with disappointment in her voice.
”I got my clinic all set up, but then-”
”-Carnie! I told you that wouldn't work.”
”I know, but-”
”-you should have just waited, like I told you. He would have come around in a couple of weeks. By then, he would have been missing Carsie so much he would have agreed to marry her right away.”
”I don't think so...”
”Why not?” said Sylvia.
”I caught him with Macy tonight.”
”Having s.e.x?”
”Pretty close. Her blouse was open and Elmo was kissing her b.o.o.bs,” said Carnie.
”Oh, no.”
”Yeah. So, see-your idea wasn't gonna work either.”
”Shut up, Carnie. Let me think.”
After ten seconds of silence, Carnie began to wonder if the call had been dropped.
”h.e.l.lo?” said Carnie.
”I've got plan.”
”Good. What is it?”
”I'm coming over there.”
”Right now?”
”Yes, right now. And don't do anything until I get there. You've already made a mess of things.”
”Yes, Ma'am. I'm sorry.” She wanted to stab Sylvia right through the heart with a dull knife.
”Yes, you aresorry. You always have been. You never do anything right.”
Sylvia hung up.
Carnie thought for a few minutes, and then called her grandmother again.
”Carnie, why are you calling me back? I'm on my way.”
”I forgot to tell you about the secret entrance in the barn.”
”I know all about it, My Dear,” said Sylvia, hanging up before her words had completely registered in Carnie's brain.
Greg and Cynthia walked into the barn and began to look around. The interior was faintly illuminated by a single light bulb hanging from the rafters. They saw the dark blue van and knew it must be the abduction vehicle.
They knew there was an underground corridor from the barn to the house, but they had not thought to ask Nurse Magdely for the exact location of the door to that secret pa.s.sageway. But the only interior door in sight was the tool shed door.
Greg used his shoulder to force the stubborn door open. Their flashlights found the other door inside almost immediately.
”This is creepy,” whispered Cynthia.
Greg opened the door and they went through, and down the stairs as quietly as they could. There was just enough light in the corridor to see where they were stepping. Greg figured the light bulbs along the way to be no more than 25-watters.
Cynthia worried about spiders and snakes. She took shallow breaths, wondering what kind of damage the musty air might be inflicting on their lungs.
Cynthia tripped on the edge of a board and fell forward into Greg's back.
”I'm sorry,” she said.
”Are you okay?”
”Yeah.”
He gave her a quick hug and then turned around and they began walking again. They could now see the light at the end of the corridor. Greg was expecting to hear people talking, but heard nothing.
Before they reached the opening, they could see Jake lying on a couch against the far wall. He appeared to be sleeping. But there was a pistol near his hand. They crept into the room and were surprised to see four women, handcuffed to their hospital beds.
Cynthia hoped they were only sleeping. She saw her mother and rushed to her side. She felt for a pulse. Yes-she was alive. She whispered into Beverly's ear, but got no response. These women are drugged, she thought.
Greg tiptoed toward Jake. If he could grab the gun without waking him up, he thought, then he could make him release the women and they could get away in the van. He was two feet from the couch when he heard something. It must be somebody coming down from inside the house, he thought.
Greg turned and looked at Cynthia. She had heard something too. He figured they would be seen if they tried to escape the way they came in, so he motioned for Cynthia to go off to the right, down the hallway. He had no idea what was down there, but it was the quickest hiding spot.
They ran fast, but softly, into the hallway just as Carnie opened the secret mirror door and walked in and started talking to Jake.
Greg and Cynthia had not been seen, but now they were worried the woman would walk to the other end of the room, where Beverly's bed was located. If she did, and then looked down their hallway, she would see them. And probably shoot them. Or stab them to death, like the poor woman in the parking lot.
Greg decided to take a big chance. They could hide in one of the two rooms off the hallway. But what if the door hinges were squeaky? He went for it anyway. It opened silently and they rushed in and closed the door.