Page 90 of Hell Hath No Fury

She noticed the curtains in the next room’s window ruffled, then fell still. Emma knocked again, softer this time. Considering the clientele this place likely attracted, Emma didn’t want a disgruntled guest coming after her.

After what felt like an hour with no response, she brought the key up to the slot. Before she could insert it, though, the door swung open. The dim lightbulb overhead revealed a pale and weary Nell wrapped in a bedspread instead of a robe.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice ragged from sleep. She brushed away her own question with a wave. “Never mind. I should’ve known you’d show up. I used your credit card.”

“Can I come in?”

Nell turned away, leaving the door open. She crossed the room, sat on the edge of the bed, and clicked on the lamp.

Emma entered and shut the door behind her. She’d stayed in a few dive motels in her life, but this was hands down the worst. One double bed, a rickety-looking chair, and a battered dresser, on which sat a small television, were the only furnishings. A door with a dent where someone apparently tried to kick it in opened to the bathroom. What she didn’t see, though, was the wine bottle or the pills.

Emma dragged the chair closer to Nell and sat down. It immediately rocked to one side. Emma wasn’t sure if one leg was shorter or the floor was uneven, but she managed to shift her weight and maintain her balance. “Are you okay?”

A mournful smile flitted across Nell’s lips. “I’m alive.”

Emma bent toward her sister and touched her knee. “I’m glad.”

“I never intended to see you again, you know.”

Nell’s matter-of-fact tone choked Emma. “You bought wine and pills.”

Nell appeared surprised. “What’d you do? Follow me?”

“Yes. I’d follow you to the end of the earth if I had to.”

After a few long moments, Nell nodded. “I did buy that stuff. Not my beverage of choice, but that truck driver who picked me up refused to drop me at the state store.”

“Did you…” Emma’s throat closed, and she had to force the words out. “Did you drink it?”

“No, and don’t ask me what happened to it. Or the pills. I don’t have them anymore.”

Emma suspected her sister had used the booze and drugs to barter for something. What? A ride? A place to stay? Emma accepted Nell’s request not to ask, partly because she didn’t really want to know. “What are you doing in Akron?”

“I’m on my way back home, and this is as far as my ride would take me.”

“Back home? From where?” Emma asked, although she had a pretty good idea.

“Cleveland. I went to see Zeke’s brother Levi.”

“Why?”

“Because he saw Eric and me at the funeral.” Nell swiped a hand across her eyes. “Eric didn’t know we’d been spotted, but I did. Levi saw me in the back of the church. No one has ever looked at me with that much hate before, but I had to get him to admit to seeing us there. To give Eric an alibi.”

Emma had so many questions she wanted to ask, but she remained still, giving Nell time.

“I found out where he lived and went there.” She shook her head. “That was a mistake.”

“What happened?”

“He threatened to kill me if I ever came near him or his family again. Said I was responsible for Zeke’s death, and given half a chance, he’d make me pay.” Nell blinked away tears. “I wanted to get him to admit we were there and tell the police. I have to make sure Eric is okay before…” Nell’s voice trailed off.

Emma fought tears of her own and filled in the blank. “Before you get more pills and booze to wash them down.”

Nell met her gaze. “As a matter of fact, no.” She looked away. “Okay, yes, that was my plan originally. I was sick of who I was. Sick of the world I was stuck living in. Sick of being alone.”

Emma opened her mouth to argue, but Nell silenced her with a stern look.

“I know what you’re going to say. I’m not alone. I have you.”