She managed to use the bar in front of her and the ceiling to keep upright. The driver seemed to be looking for a place to park as the limo slowed. Vanni dropped to her knees, landing on Bruce’s hand. She dug into his jacket, avoiding the gun. She found the cell phone he’d used to torment her about Beth. As an afterthought, she bent a little over him and dug his wallet out of his pocket. She crawled to the door.
The second the limousine stopped, she shoved the door open, happy it wasn’t locked. She stumbled out and was almost hit by a car. The driver honked his horn as he slammed on the brakes, screaming obscenities.
She ran toward the sidewalk in the opposite direction of the limo so the driver couldn’t rush after her. He might throw it in reverse to give chase but he’d hit the man she’d just pissed since his car was in the way.
People stared as she ran. She turned her head when more horns blared. The limo driver was out of the car and she heard yelling. She faced forward, barely managed to avoid slamming into a pedestrian, and turned into one of the alleys between the buildings. She kept going until she glimpsed a dumpster.
It was a good place to hide so she got behind it. She was out of breath from her mad dash and leaned against the brick wall as she studied the cell phone. Please don’t be password protected! She tapped the button and the screen lit up. She hit the phone icon and the Woods Church number displayed. She tapped again for the keypad and it opened. Her finger trembled while she dialed home.
It rang four times until the machine picked up. God, please be home! It played the automated message and beeped.
“Beth! Pick up the phone. Now, damn it.”
“Vanni?”
She’d never been so relieved to hear her friend’s voice. “Listen to me. You’re in danger. Gregory has a man on his way to our apartment. He’s going to kill you. Dial 9-1-1 and wait for the police. Get out when they get there!”
“What?”
“We don’t have time for this shit. Grab your cell and dial 9-1-1. Do it!”
“Okay. What is going on?”
“They kept me locked up. They are going to kill you. I escaped so that man is going to go after you. When the cops get there, you go stay with that guy who loves Elvis. Don’t say his name. You know who I mean.”
“Are you okay? Hang on while I call.” As she waited she heard Beth’s call to 9-1-1. “Yes. I have an emergency. I think someone is breaking into my apartment.” Beth rattled off the address. “I’m here alone. Send someone fast. He might have a gun.”
Vanni pulled her ear away from the phone, listening for any sound of the driver or Bruce. The alley was quiet, the only noise coming from the traffic down the street.
“Vanni? Vanni?”
“I’m here. Are the police on their way?”
“Yeah. What happened? Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”
“We don’t have time to talk. I have to go. They are probably looking for me. I’m okay so far though. Dump your phone and go to Elvis. I remember his address. Don’t trust anyone and tell my parents to get in the RV. They need to get out of town. I never took Carl to the cabin. He hates the outdoors. I don’t know if Gregory plans to go after them next.”
“Are you serious?”
“They are nuts. You have no idea.”
“I can guess. I told you something was seriously wrong with that family. I’ll meet you at Elvis’ place. How long until you can get there?”
“I can’t. I’m too far away.” Vanni peeked out from behind the dumpster. She didn’t see anyone coming down the alley. Yet.
“Tell me where you are and I’ll come get you.”
“It’s too dangerous.”
“Bullshit,” Beth spat. “Where are you?”
“I’ve got a killer hunting for me if that bullet to his thigh didn’t cripple him.”
“You shot someone?”
“I don’t have time to explain. Grab your shit and don’t open that door until the cops arrive. Get out of there and leave your phone so they can’t find you. Ditch your car after you get a few blocks away and have Elvis pick you up. I’m probably being paranoid but they have money. Don’t use your cards. No trace, okay?”
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t thought that far ahead. I can call the police and tell them everything.”
“Go to Smiley. The police wouldn’t even take a report when I told them something was wrong. You need protection and Homeland is somewhere no one can get to you.”
“He thinks I drugged him.”
“He doesn’t. We talked.”