Package Deal(97)

Her pulse was racing so fast she felt light-headed. “No, Carlton. I haven’t talked and neither has Cecelia. We haven’t said a word.”

He stared at her with bloodshot eyes, more agitated than before, his hand squeezing the blood out of her arm. “I don’t believe you—not after that newspaper article. I saw it. That journalism guy wrote it, didn’t he?Marcus Dunbar? He wanted to get Cecelia to like him so you would like him. I saw through him right away even if you didn’t. I know that’s what he was after. Disgusting. His behavior—trying to get to Cecelia so he could get to you—it was so offensive. Why couldn’t you see that?” His voice, previously a deep growl, took on a higher-pitched whine. “And he was so disrespectful. He … he kept calling me Carl, even after I told him not to. How would he like it if I called him Marky?”

The tic in his cheek made visible the pink of his lower eyelid, a gruesome erratic wink Amanda couldn’t seem to stop watching.

“I’m sure he was just trying to be friendly, Carlton, using your nickname.” If he would just move closer to the filing cabinet …

“I don’t have a nickname—not anymore—not since I left home. Not since…anyway, don’t call me that. I never liked that name!” The distant echo of a door slamming far down the hall startled him.“What was that?” He looked around then moved the knife closer to her chest.

Trying not to panic in the silence that followed, she gulped then choked out, “I’m sure it was just someone going into the history department. Ian is proctoring a make-up exam. It was probably his student.” Maybe he hasn’t left.

Carlton released her arm, brought his hand to his face and pressed it against his jumping cheek as he stood between Amanda and the door.

He grimaced and looked toward the outer door. “That little girl of yours…she was nicer than you—she never argued or talked back to me, except that one time when—when I—” He reached for the smaller chair and sat down close to her, blocking her way again and waving the knife in random circles, so close to her neck.

“She’s not here today, Carlton.” Please, God, don’t let her be on time. She might risk trying to shove him out of her way, so she could run and call for help. But he had at least fifty pounds on her and looked a good deal stronger. Would she even be able to budge him? What time is it?

Less than a minute later, the door at the far end of the building banged.Girls’ laughter floated down the long hall, gradually becoming louder. Sam and Cecelia’s happy chatter preceded them as every step brought them closer to the outer door of the department.

Oh God. Amanda couldn’t take her eyes off Carlton. I have to get away from him.

He must have heard the girls, too. He smiled and stood up. “You lied. She is here. She’s coming now. Good. I like her.” He pressed the tip of his knife to her chest, touching the silver necklace she wore. “You stay here—so I can talk to her. Her and her friend.”

When Amanda jerked involuntarily, the knife slid against her skin, cutting her. Blood oozed from the scratch. She brought her hand up to her neck.

“Oh, no!” Carlton’s grin crumpled. “I didn’t mean to do that, Amanda. You’re bleeding. Oh, I hate blood.I’m so sorry.” He started to weep, his tears creating pale tracks through the dirt on his face. Suddenly, his countenance darkened again, his moods swinging unpredictably from sympathetic to threatening. “Now you’ve done it. Sit down and don’t move!”

Instead of sitting, she jumped when her phone rang.

“Don’t answer it!” he shouted.

One ring, two rings, three rings. She reached across the desk and knocked the receiver off the cradle when Carlton jerked her hand away from the phone. Amanda’s heart climbed into her throat.

The outer door to the departmental offices opened.

Her heart in her throat, Amanda yelled, “Cece, Sam, get out! Carlton’s here. Run away! Go!”Screaming out her fear and frustration, she shoved Carlton as hard as she could. He fell back toward the extra chair and filing cabinet. She kicked at his left shin and his feet slipped. He crashed to the floor as she ran past him and out of her office.

“Amanda!” he yelled. “Stop! Come back!”

She was almost to the outer door of the department, desperate to reach the hallway when she felt a hand clamp down on her left shoulder. He whirled her around to face him and shoved her into a nearby wall. She hit her head and slid down to the floor, stunned.But the girls were gone. They were safe. She could hear them running down the hall away from Carlton, away from her. Both of them were screaming for help.