Part 20 (2/2)
Annie Mae screamed, ”Holy smokes, are you nuts, lady?”
My kids. My husband. I had to get out of this alive for them. I whispered to Annie Mae, ”Self-defense time.”
Years ago, Jose had taught me a self-defense move. I tried remembering the mechanics of it as I kicked my leg up, angling it toward Scarlett's hand holding the gun. Trying to sound tough, I added a fierce grunt with the kick.
Instantly, I lost my footing and slammed to the ground, hitting my b.u.t.t bone.
Scarlett fired another shot. This time, the bullet hit a file cabinet. Thank goodness she was a c.r.a.ppy shooter.
”Are you okay?” Annie Mae scurried to me and held her hand out to pull me up.
”Yes.” My tailbone throbbed as Annie Mae helped me to my feet.
”I got this.” Annie Mae flung herself, like a human wrecking ball, at Scarlett, knocking the gun out of her hand. The gun slid under the table. I tried to figure out how to get it before Scarlett did.
Annie Mae pulled her shoulders back. ”Self-defense, my a.s.s, you just need bulk.”
”You-you're crazy.” Scarlett jumped on top of Annie Mae, knocking her to the ground.
Scarlett clung to Annie Mae's back. Seeing Annie Mae in trouble, I hopped on top of Scarlett. The three of us were stacked up like a monkey pile, all of our arms flailing and all of us screaming and grunting. Annie Mae freed herself from the pile. Scarlett twisted and grabbed my neck.
No one touches my neck.
Terror caused me to have tunnel vision. I pummeled Scarlett as I tried to get her hands off my throat. I grabbed her hair. A huge chunk came out in my hand. It was a scratchy, tangled, brunette mess that smelled of hair spray.
Hair extension? I tossed it aside.
Scarlett's hands were soft and tiny, but they had a vise hold on my neck. I sucked in a breath but couldn't swallow or speak.
Scarlett and I flipped over. I gasped for air.
The suffocating sensation overcame me. I felt lightheaded and faint.
Righting herself, Annie Mae yanked Scarlett's hands away from my neck.
”You're a powerful little thing aren't you?” Annie Mae held Scarlett's arms behind her back. ”Do you get strength injections with all that Botox?”
Scarlett let out a bloodcurdling scream. ”b.i.t.c.hes!”
”Now, now. I suggest you keep your mouth shut. If you don't, you will see me go crazy all over you.” Annie Mae tightened her grip on Scarlett. Annie Mae panted, ”And by the way, you don't deserve to own a plant, so I'm taking yours to keep mine company.”
Sweat drenched my s.h.i.+rt. I was shaking as I stood, rubbing my backbone. I put my hand on Annie Mae's arm. ”Thanks for getting her off me.”
The door flew open, knocking over the chair. Jose ran in, gun drawn. ”Freeze!”
Annie Mae kept a hold of Scarlett, both of them huffing.
Scarlett's dress was hiked up, her one shoe was off, and her hair, what was left of it...well, not so pretty.
I pointed at Scarlett, panting, and said, ”She killed Lucy.”
”Everyone stand still. Line up against that wall facing me. Hands visible.” Jose lowered his gun. ”I need to hear what is going on, right now.”
We lined up against the back wall. Scarlett stood, back against the wall, straightening her dress.
”Scarlett is a killer. She has Lucy's vase.” Annie Mae waved her phone in the air. ”You heard it all, didn't you?”
Jose held his palm facing us. ”Most of it.”
”He did?” I asked Annie Mae.
”I didn't have time to set up the recorder, so I just hit Jose's number.”
”Good job.” I high-fived Annie Mae.
Scarlett held her chin up high and kept her mouth shut and her eyes on Annie Mae.
As we finished retelling Jose the story, Annie Mae said, ”Thanks for letting us break in, or we would've never figured it out otherwise.”
”Letting you break in?” Jose stared at me and then at Annie Mae. ”I approved no such thing.”
I held my thumb and forefinger close together. ”Maybe I told a little white lie.”
”You need to arrest them. They've just admitted to a crime.” Scarlett thrust a bony finger at Annie Mae and me.
”I don't think you're in a position to point fingers.” Annie Mae went nose to nose with Scarlett. ”You're a murderer.”
”You're a criminal and a pain in the a.s.s.” Scarlett leaned in, almost touching Annie Mae.
To avoid a fight, I moved between them. I didn't want Annie Mae getting hurt. I looked at Jose. ”Sorry about the little white lie.”
Jose sucked in deep breath and looked at me. ”I'll deal with you later.”
”Arrest them for breaking into my office.” Scarlett ran over to Jose.
My heart raced as I spit out, ”Then arrest her for murder and theft and... and...”
”Over use of plastic surgery,” Annie Mae added.
”What?” Scarlett bolted toward Annie Mae.
Jose held an arm up and stopped Scarlett in her tracks.
”Sorry. But, really, just look at her face. There's a lot of fillers in there.” Annie Mae shrugged.
Scarlett stomped her foot. ”I need my lawyer. Now.”
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