Page 161 of It Runs in the Family

He leaned his head back and groaned. “No, we were discussin’ why you were lookin’ into Rebecca Threadgill.”

“And I just told you,” I said with plenty of attitude. I wasn’t sure this was the way to play him, but it sure beat shaking in terror.

He drew in a deep breath, held it for several seconds, then pushed it out. “My grandmother told you that Eddie and Selena were at Rebecca’s lookin’ for something. What do you think it was?”

I shook my head. “I have no idea. Maybe they were lookin’ for her bracelet too.”

“Why would they be lookin’ for a stupid ass bracelet?”

“How would I know?” I asked. “You asked me what I thought, and I admitted I didn’t know, and made a suggestion.”

“Why were you worried about Selena?”

“Because she wouldn’t answer any of my calls or texts. Of course I was askin’ people if they’d seen or heard from her.”

He studied me for a long moment, his eyes dark and terrifying, and I tried my best to look like a fool who couldn’t read social cues. Only my heart was beating a million miles an hour, and my lungs were dying to take gulps of air.

He stood and moved to the door. “I’ll be back.” Then he left the room.

Selena turned to me and lowered her voice. “What was that?”

“What was what?” I asked in a hateful tone.

“That.” She gestured at me, up and down. “Acting like Trinity.”

“I never once threw a Bible verse at him,” I said in defiance.

“Iris.”

“What do you want me to do?” I whisper-hissed. “Let him see how scared I am? If he thinks I’m an idiot, then maybe he’ll think I don’t know anything and let me go.”

She was quiet for a beat, then her tone softened. “Did you really get fired?”

“Yep. All that’s true.”

I leaned my head back on the loveseat, panic starting to set in. My act might have bought me a short reprieve, but I doubted he’d let me go. Maybe he was out there looking for torture devices.

Then I realized there was a window opposite the door. I jumped up and rushed over to it.

“What are you doin’?” Selena asked, on edge.

I ignored her and lifted the blind, trying to figure out how to open it.

“You’re wastin’ your time,” she said, lifting her hand to examine her nails. “The window doesn’t open.”

She was right. Was there something I could use to bust the glass? I’d have to do it quickly, because once they heard the noise, someone would come investigate.

I headed over to the counter and started opening cabinet doors.

“What are you lookin’ for?” Selena asked.

“Something to break the window.”

She jumped up off the loveseat. “Have you lost your damn mind?” she demanded.

“No, Selena. This is called takin’ agency. No one is comin’ to save me, so I’m gonna save myself.”

After I searched the last cabinet, I groaned in frustration. The heaviest thing I could find was a can of pineapple juice.