Richard
We arrive under the window ledge. James inches up, looks in and then immediately drops down again, shaking his head and swearing under his breath. “Jeez… She’s a fucking lunatic sometimes.”
Michael huffs. “What’s she doing?”
“Winding them up, drawing them onto her. I think she’s enjoying it.”
“You fucking bastards!” shrieks the voice. “You think you can do me? Let’s see if you’re up to it….”
Michael’s eyes meet mine and together we slide up, looking inside.
The room is large, Klempner and his men gathered in a group…. And there’s Elizabeth.
My gut tightens. My beautiful Elizabeth. On the floor, hunched in on herself, arms wrapped around her knees she rocks herself. Her eyes are swollen with weeping, fiercely red against her pale face.
She’s terrified….
…. and Charlotte will keep her that way….
Keep up the pretence….
But the fear on her face is being nudged over by disbelief at what she sees. And at least for now, she’s safe. Everyone is ignoring her.