I hurried around the building to move out of view. The squeak of the screen door that led to the eat-in dining area sounded. I peered around the corner as I watched Robin carry a picnic basket down to the boat dock.
I slowly snuck back around, in through the door, and ran for the stairs.
“Petunia.” I called her name in a whisper. “Pet, it’s Gwen. Where are you?” She didn’t answer.
I opened the door to the master bedroom and found vials on the dresser. I used my sleeve and picked one up. Ketamine, and worse than that, Amelia’s name was handwritten on the bag lying next to it. Shit. I had to find Pet before she ate that damn cookie.
“Petunia,” I whispered louder, making my way down the hall. I found Pet passed out on the floor, half the cookie eaten. “Goddamn it.”
I dropped to my knees. “Petunia.” I shook her frail little body. Nothing. Her breaths were shallow, but her pulse was strong. “Damn it.”
I scooped her up and hurried down the hall. I grabbed the pillow from the bed and opened the closet in a spare room, and laid her on it. Pressing the button on her locket, I triggered the GPS alarm for Rose and Ms. Delany.
I kissed her forehead. “Don’t be scared, Pet. Robin won’t touch you again.”
I grabbed the bag and stuffed the vials inside putting them in the closet to use as proof of what was done. Writing a note, I left it in Petunia’s hand with the name of the drug they needed to treat her for.
I grabbed Petunia’s comforter and one of her larger dolls, wrapping her up in it to look like I was carrying Petunia. I hurried down the house and out the door. I stared down at the lake until Robin turned around and spotted me. Sheer panic laced her face as I leaned in to whisper into the doll’s ear. I grinned and took off running with Robin following me, leading her away from Petunia’s hiding place.
