CHAPTER 45 - Molly

CHAPTER 45MollyIN THE GRAY OF DAWN,JUST AS THE SUN STARTS TO COME UP, SADIE AND I head down the apartment building’s back stairs. The Uber I’d called, a small black sedan, is idling at the curb. Sadie and I jump in, and the young man at the wheel mumbles a “Good morning.” My stomach is in knots as we head to the highway. We’re going home.The house looks forlorn as Sadie and I make our way inside. It’s chilly and echoes with emptiness. I usually feel a sense of calm when I walk through my front door, but not now. The letter from Keith Russell has soiled it, soiled Jay. Everything I’d held on to is broken.Upstairs I pack a suitcase, stow my toiletries in a small bag. Glance around to see that I’ve got everything I need from up here. Downstairs, I gather Sadie’s stuff, wrap her service dog vest around her as she stands patiently. Then I slip my laptop in its carry bag, and we’re ready.I’ve been driving Jay’s Mercedes lately, but I decide to take my Subaru instead. As I back down the driveway, I call Corrine, put the phone on speaker.“Where are you?” she asks. “I just went in to check on you.”“I’m home, or I was home. I’m on the road now.” Sadie is panting quietly, sitting in the passenger’s seat. I reach over and lower the heat. “Look, Corrine. I need to get away for a while.”“What do you mean?”“I’m going to go stay in a hotel and relax someplace where the media can’t find me.”“Where?”“I don’t know.” But I do, and I don’t want her to worry. “I’m just going to drive out of town a ways and find a hotel. I’ll call and keep in touch.”“Are you sure that’s a good idea? I don’t like this, Molly. Don’t you think it would be better to stay with me and Rich? You’re safe here.”“I appreciate your help, really. I just need some time. I’ll be fine. I promise.”I hear her take a deep breath. “You’ll call me?”“Yes. I’ll stay in touch.”“You’ll keep your phone on and nearby?”“Yes. Yes. It’ll be fine. I’ll be back in a couple of days.”“We were supposed to go to the police station this morning.”“Tell Detective Myers I’ll be back soon. She can wait.”We hang up, and I feel guilty just a little to be lying to my sister, but I know she wouldn’t approve. Big sister Corrine would come out. The one who doesn’t think I can run my own life. She doesn’t mean to be overbearing. I know that. It’s what Keith Russell did to her too.