Chapter 17: Chapter 17

The half-smile on Roderick’s face

disappeared as he heard the bedroom door lightly open. He kept his

eyes closed. Maybe Alex was just looking around. As he heard the

door close, Roderick felt something in him sink. He opened his

eyes. The room was empty, as he had known it would be. He walked to

the bedroom window. Carefully concealing himself behind a thick

velvet curtain left by the previous owner, Roderick looked into the

driveway. Behind the moving van there was a taxi. Three Rivers

Taxi.

Roderick watched and waited. It took a

moment, but soon Alex was outside, and Roderick watched as Alex

walked to the cab. His heart raced when for just a split second

Alex looked up at the house and hesitated. Maybe he wouldn’t get

in. Maybe he would stay. Roderick lowered his head when he saw Alex

open the taxi door, but then he looked up again.

“Decision made,” Roderick said, as he

watched the taxi back out of the long driveway.

***