“You need to stay here and keep things covered while I’m gone.”
“And what about the sheriff and Monte?” Ava asked.
“Tell them that I had to go help my cousins.”
“And what if something goes wrong?” Paula asked.
Susanna stared at them a moment. “Then you open that safe and you read and follow my directions. I love you guys so much, and in case I never told you, I’m glad our paths crossed and we created Dixie Chix. You ladies keep it up and running no matter what.”
“Oh shit, Susanna.” Juliet began to cry.
Susanna felt the tears in her eyes.
“Don’t cry and don’t freak out. I’m not planning on getting killed. I’m planning on ending this and bringing home my cousins.” Susanna hugged each of them before heading downstairs.
Susanna glanced back at the front of their home before she pulled out of the driveway. They were all there. Her four closest friends and women who were survivors just like her. She didn’t have a choice here. Brook was evil. He had worked for her uncles years ago and then did some hits for a few mobsters. He was a shit and had no respect for life. How he caught up with Alexa and Sally they would never know, but she needed to intervene. Her cousins couldn’t handle this.
* * * *
Sally and Alexa did as Susanna had told them and tried to lose Brook. They were both surprised that Susanna knew exactly who Brook was, and she reminded them of the hits their uncles did on a group of businessmen before Susanna helped Sally and Alexa to escape. They remembered hearing about the brutality of the murders and the fact that Brook bragged about them.
Alexa looked around the train station as she and Sally grabbed their bags and headed down the walkway. It was evening time and Susanna had told them she would meet them by the back entrance to the ladies’ room and maintenance entryway.
They found it immediately as they looked around them before entering the door. It was unlocked, and as they entered there was Susanna.
“Oh God, Susanna!” Alexa cried as she and Sally ran to their cousin and hugged her tight.
“We’re so glad to see you,” Sally cried as Susanna held them tight.
“Did anyone follow you? Did you see him at all?” Susanna asked as she released them and quickly locked the door.
“No. We didn’t see him, and we remained inside of the sleeping quarters like you told us to,” Alexa told her cousin.
“Good. I’m certain he’s nearby. I parked the car a few blocks from here and down a deserted road. We’re going to cut through the woods so we’re sure he’s not following us. Are you guys okay to do that?” she asked them, and Sally nodded her head.
Alexa looked at Susanna. “You look good, Susanna. We’re so glad that you’re here, but we’re worried, too. What if he sees you and calls Casper?”
“Then I handle it. Let’s not worry about the what-ifs. Let’s move and get you to a safe place.”
Alexa began to head toward the door they’d entered when she heard the lock turn.
Susanna placed her finger over her lips, indicating for them to remain quiet.
Alexa panicked as she stared at Susanna for direction. She waved them toward the back of the room, and they followed.
As they traveled through the utility room, they came to an exit door. Susanna slowly opened it and peeked out to make sure it was safe. They followed her out the door and directly over to the wooded area.
* * * *
“Where is she, Ava? You said she’d be back Monday, and now it’s Tuesday,” the sheriff asked Ava as she and her friends stood in the office at Dixie Chix. Monte was with her, and so were Carl and Richie.
“She hasn’t called, but she will soon to let us know where they are. Her cousins were far from here, and she said it might take a day or two.”
Ava had lied and the sheriff knew it.
Juliet kept her eyes down, and the others seemed nervous.
“I don’t know what’s going on here, but I’m getting the feeling that y’all are lying to me. If she’s in some sort of trouble, Monte and I have a right to know. She’s our woman and we care for her very much.”