Free Blind Witness by Alysia S. Knight

he objected, but again it didn’t stop her.
    “I’m fine.” She kept a hold of his arm to steady herself. “Where am I?”
    “In the supply room just down the hall from your office, you don’t remember where you were?” he asked concerned.
    “I wasn’t sure where he dragged me, though it didn’t seem far.”
    “He?” Britt asked, feeling his stomach muscles tightening again.
    “He was here. The caller. I was coming down the hall and bumped into someone, when I moved to pass, he grabbed me. He put his hand over my mouth so I couldn’t scream, and pulled me in here.”
    “Are you all right?”
    “Yes, I bumped my head when I fell trying to get away from him.”
    “Come on. Let’s get you out of here, so I can call security.” He lifted her into his arms, bringing a squeal and her arms around his neck. He went down the hall to her office, settling her into her chair next to the astonished Lois.
    “Medics and security are on their way.”
    “Thank you.” Britt sat on the corner of Rachelle’s desk.
    “Just rest a minute then you can tell me what happened. I’ll get you a drink.” He left the room.
    “Rachelle,” Lois started, but her phone cut her off. “Just a minute.” Lois answered the phone. A few seconds later Rachelle’s phone rang too. She automatically reached for the headphones, sliding them into place.
    “ Clairbourne Industries, executive answering. May I help you?”
    “You’re all right. I was afraid I hurt you.”
    Rachelle flinched at the voice. “You did.”
    “I didn’t mean to. I just wanted you to understand that you have to stay away from Clairbourne.”
    “But you were the one that hurt me, and you hurt the gardener too after you said no one would get hurt.”
    “He was in the wrong place and I said I was sorry. I didn’t mean to.”
    “But people are getting hurt. You have to stop this.”
    “No! Clairbourne’s got to pay.”
    “Why? What does he have to pay for? What did he do to you?” Rachelle pressed then paused when he didn’t answer. “If you want me to stay away from him you have to give me a reason.”
    “He took her away.” The voice yelled in the phone.
    “Who? Who did he take away?”
    “I loved her but she couldn’t see me because of him.” The voice quieted. “She was so beautiful. You’re beautiful. You have a beautiful voice. She had a beautiful voice too. I used to listen to her sing when she was in the shower. Do you sing?”
    “Yes, at my piano. I like to sing. What was her name?” She tried again, desperately searching for words to keep him talking.
    “Will you sing for me? I promise not to hurt you again.”
    “I don’t want you to hurt anyone. If you promise not to hurt anybody, I’ll sing for you.”
    “Do you know the song Aubrey. That was her song. I memorized it.”
    “I know the song. I’ll sing it to you if you promise not to hurt anyone.”
    “I have to. Clairbourne’s got to die. Then she can rest and not feel bad. He has to die.”
    “No!” Rachelle cried out, but he was already gone.
    “It was him.” Britt’s voice sounded behind her.
    Rachelle nodded, too choked up to talk.
    “You shouldn’t have answered the phone.”
    “I didn’t expect it to be him.”
    “You should’ve been resting. I’ll take you home.”
    “That’s not necessary.”
    “You were attacked.”
    “I’m trying not to think about that. Do you want me to go home and keep thinking about it over and over all day?”
    “No, I don’t want anything happening to you at all.” He took her hand, running his thumb over her knuckles.
    “Well, it did, so face it,” she said bluntly, pulling back. The next instant she felt his arms around her and tears slipped free.
    “I’m not going to cry. I’m not going to let him beat me.” Still, she pressed her face into Britt’s shoulder, unable to let go. It felt too good to be in his arms.
    “Mr. Clairbourne, the medics would like to check her over now.” Lois’s words reminded Rachelle