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throat ached with the effort and the strain. but I put all

I had into another cry. "Austin!"

"I don't understand," I heard him say. "Will you let me close this door or do I have to

march back and phone the police?"

"I just can't believe it," he said.

"That's your problem," she told him.

Desperate. I braced myself on my elbows and

tried to call again, but I could see that my voice was

practically gone. Just a little more than a whisper

emerged. What was I going to do?

I looked at the mannequin's head beside me and

scooped it into my arms. Then, with all the strength

left in my weakened body. I hurled it toward the door.

It didn't reach, but it hit the floor hard a few feet short. "What was that?" Austin asked.

"My stupid maid probably breaking something

new," Aunt Victoria said. "Good night, young man

and good riddance."

I heard the door slam shut below.

For me, it was like the lid being shut on my

coffin.

16

Life Near Death

.

Aunt Victoria suddenly appeared in the

doorway. She had come up the stairs like a ghost or else I was too weak and sick to hear any sound that came from beyond the room,

"How easy that was," she remarked with a slow smile that lit up her dark eyes with a sinister glow. "Why didn't I think of all that before and save us both all this aggravation? Now that he believes you have left, he'll stop coming around and our problems are over.

"For a while you'll just have to stay inside, stay away from people so no one can tell him otherwise. Don't worry. I'll make sure there is plenty here to amuse and occupy you. What would you do out there anyway? Tomorrow. I'll find us a new maid, a more dedicated one who can keep her mouth zipped shut.

"Actually, what I should do is try to win back Mrs. Bogart." she continued. "Once she learns that he's gone for good this time, she might consider returning. I know what. I'll offer her more money, lots more money and she will return. How's that sound? Good? Good. I knew you'd agree with me."

Who agreed? She heard only what she wanted to hear.

"What's this?" she asked, seeing the smashed mannequin's head on the floor. "How did this get here? Oh, was that the noise we heard?"