Page 131 of Trace of Doubt
My original burner phone from Sheriff Wendall remained turned off and concealed inside the wig I’d originally worn to Miami and left on my closet shelf. I checked to see if someone had discovered it while I’d been a guest of Miami PD and the FBI. Nothing appeared out of place, and I’d memorized every item’s location in the drawers and the closet. I’d see Denton around one in the morning, and I wouldn’t sabotage my plan by contacting him. I’d taken enough risks and put friends and family in danger.
Aria lived behind her bedroom’s locked door. Not sure how the poor girl survived, but the distant sobbing tore at my heart. At least I could talk to her from the hallway, although anyone could hear our conversation. Marissa allowed her out for some meals, and she’d taken her shopping with Lee and Jess. Entertainment consisted of downloaded music and movies on an iPad—minus Internet connectivity.
I’d seen my sister slide the key to Aria’s room into a zippered compartment of her purse. Hopefully she hadn’t moved it. If not, I’d use a paper clip. Denton had given me a handful this morning. Years had passed since I’d picked a lock, but I’m sure it was like riding a bike.
I had spent the evening on the balcony chatting with Marissa, Eli, and the guards. I made fun of the FBI agents who’d interviewed me, even Denton and Mike. At ten thirty Marissa asked Eli to bring their drinks from inside the condo.
“I’ll go with you,” I said. “A Diet Coke sounds good.” In the hollow heel of my sandal, I’d hidden sleeping pills that Mike had given me. Denton hadn’t been pleased. Now to distract Eli for a few seconds.
In the kitchen, Eli grabbed the liquor from the counter, and I pulled glasses from the cabinet. I’d examined various places where Marissa could have installed a camera, and I stood with my back against the one I’d noted. While Eli poured shots of liquor, I pressed the ice dispenser button, allowing several cubes to drop to the floor. “Rats. Would you help me?”
“I’ve got them.” Eli bent to pick up the ice, allowing me enough time to retrieve and drop the pills into the liquor glasses.
We carried the drinks to the balcony. Marissa stood and took hers. “I’m going to bed.”
“Me too,” I said. “Tonight’s sleep has to be better than last night’s.”
“We have plans for tomorrow.” Marissa stifled a yawn. “Many details to work out.”
“Looking forward to it.” I toasted my Diet Coke to the men before I headed inside the condo.
At twelve thirty I crept from my room. Lee and Jess had disappeared, and Eli must have gone to his own condo. A mix of adrenaline and downright fear kept me on alert. In the shadows, I moved to the far side of the penthouse to Marissa’s suite. She took her privacy seriously, and I’d not been inside her bedroom.I needed clarity to find her purse and get Aria and me out of the penthouse undetected.
I slowly turned the knob on Marissa’s bedroom door. Locked. I pulled a paper clip from my jean pocket and bent it, allowing me to insert into the keyhole. My stomach churned as I probed and twisted. A faint click released the lock. Holding my breath, I grasped the knob, and the door opened to a shadowed room. From what I could tell through shadowed lights from the street below, Marissa’s suite looked out onto a private balcony area. I searched for her purse.
Moving about chanced knocking something over and startling my drugged sister. But I had no choice. Time ticked away.
Inside the bathroom, her purse sat on the marble countertop. I stared into the mirror—my profile frightened me. I felt inside her shoulder bag and wrapped my fingers around two phones and the key to Aria’s room. One had to belong to John Rudder. Gripping the handles like a lifeline, I crept from the room.
Emotional paralysis took control. Had tonight been too easy? I shoved the nagging thought aside.
I made my way to Aria’s room. This time I had a key. Silence ruled the moment, for I didn’t need my niece to scream. Once in her room, I closed the door and tiptoed to Aria’s bedside. I covered her mouth, instantly wakening her.
“This is Shelby,” I whispered. “We’re getting out of here.”
She nodded and relaxed.
“Dress quickly. Don’t make a sound.”
While she slipped into clothes, I checked both phones in Marissa’s bag. Thank goodness, I had hers and Rudder’s. I handed Aria the bag. “Take this in case anything happens. Evidence is inside the phones to end these crimes.” I checked the time. “Denton and his partner are waiting on the first-floor entrance. Other FBI agents and police officers have the building surrounded.”
Aria blinked. “Mom or one of those guys will kill us.”
I shook my head. “I slipped sleeping pills into their drinks. Theproblem is I don’t have the password for the alarm system. At best guess, we have thirty to forty seconds before it jars them awake. We’ll take the stairs on the left side of the hallway. You go first, and don’t look back. Just keep running until Denton has you safe.”
“Okay,” she whispered.
I slipped Marissa’s purse over Aria’s shoulder, and I grabbed mine. “I love you. Keep praying.”
In the foyer, I opened the door to freedom and pushed Aria into the hallway. I raced behind her toward the steps.
“Aria, stop or I’m pulling the trigger on Shelby.”
Marissa’s voice slowed my niece. “Keep running,” I said.
Aria didn’t take another step. She faced me. “I won’t let Mom... Marissa hurt you.”
“That’s my girl.” Marissa rushed toward us with her gun aimed, yanked her purse from Aria’s shoulder, and grabbed mine.
