Page 65 of Justified Lies

“Of course, I would never,” Lianna reassured him.

“I really should get back to work. I’ll have Nicki call you right away.”

“Thank you.”

Lianna was being dismissed, but she had so much more to say, to ask.

“Don’t be foolish. Be careful and ask for help if you need it.” He made eye contact with her briefly before starting to close the door.

“I will.”

Lianna turned and tried to compose herself as she drifted aimlessly towards her vehicle. Darren opening up felt monumental. She finally understood the reasoning behind his wrath towards her. It may be displaced, but she understood, nonetheless. While she never truly believed Gabe’s theory that Darren could be the source of her threats, a tiny part of her checked him off the suspect list.

Chapter Nineteen

Lianna quietly closed the door to Annie’s bedroom. Leaning back against it, she exhaled forcefully. The little girl was just fine, lying on her bed reading books and talking to her stuffed animals. Lianna, however, was mentally exhausted and her stomach growled in protest of involuntary fasting that morning. She headed downstairs to make a snack. As she reached the bottom of the steps, there was a knock at the door.

Lianna considered ignoring it, but maybe Gabe had gotten her message and came to check in. It was downright scary how much she wanted him to be standing there with concern in his sparkling eyes. Then he would step inside, take her in his strong arms and hold her until the tension left her body. With that very pleasant thought in mind, she threw the door open.

On the threshold stood her neighbor Diane. Lianna had been avoiding this uncomfortable confrontation. Not having the energy to do this now, she tried her best to be polite.

“Hi, Diane, this isn’t a good time.”

“Get outside.”

The words were so flat and devoid of emotion, they sent a warning up Lianna’s spine. It was only then she took a good look at her neighbor. Diane seemed unhinged—her demure appearance gone. The woman’s eyes darted around wildly, glancing over her shoulder. She held her arm behind her back awkwardly.

“What’s going on?”

“Get. Out. Side. Now.”

That command had a little more oomph to it but still made no sense.

“Listen, are you okay? Do you need help?” Lianna asked, confused.

“Get outside!”

Diane screeched the words just as she pulled a large knife from behind her back. Then she thrust the glistening steel in Lianna’s direction. Lianna stumbled back briefly before throwing her body against the door to try and close it. The precious seconds it had taken Lianna to get to the door was enough time for Diane to position her foot and leg inside the door frame. Lianna kicked at the foot before a slice of pain seared through her forearm.

Grabbing her injured arm, Lianna retreated into the foyer. “What the fuck?” Looking down she saw the knife had cut through her sweater, the blood already dripping down to her fingers.

“Let’s try this again. Get outside.”

Diane used her head to direct Lianna outside. She went willingly, knowing they were leaving Annie safely upstairs. Under normal circumstances, she would never leave her alone, but given the choice between alone or with a knife-wielding psycho, she chose alone. Charles would be here with Harris in under an hour.

Diane followed Lianna closely as they walked onto the front porch. Perhaps she was here on Tim’s behest, maybe she was even fearful of the man. Before Lianna could get any answers, she felt her phone buzzing in the back pocket of her jeans.

There was no way to answer it without Diane seeing, but she had to try. This was her only chance. Pretending to stumble on the final porch stair, Lianna grabbed her cell and swiped with her thumb.

The sound of Gabe’s booming voice gave her away immediately, the loud volume impossible to hide.

“Lianna? Are you there?” Gabe’s voice was muffled.

“You bitch!” Diane’s eyes widened for a second in surprise, then narrowed. “Give me the phone!”

Lianna thought through her options, she was twice this woman’s size, but that was a big knife. If Diane got in one jab, Lianna would be down with no one to help. Then Annie would be all alone with her. Diane was under the impression the little girl was still at school, and Lianna intended to keep it that way. For all she knew, Gabe was stuck in an airport or downtown at work. She needed to handle this one alone. Knowing there was no other option, she handed the phone over, speaking loudly.

“Diane, please, just keep the knife down.”

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