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”
“Another Alice in my Wonderland.” Reptilian smile.
“You killed children.”
“Some last. Some don’t.”
“Give me their names.”
“Why?”
“Their families have a right to know.”
“Their families can rot in hell, and you won’t be telling them. Fool! You won’t be telling anything to anyone.”
“Your parents searched for you.” Pleading tone.
“Not hard enough.” Bitter.
“They miss you,” I lied. “They want you back.”
“There’s no going back.”
“There are people who will help you.”
“The looking glass cracks.”
Flashbulb image.
“All the king’s horses and all the king’s men can’t put the damned back together again.” Singsong.
“What happened to Angie Robinson?”
“Just another lost girl.”
“Lost? Or destroyed?”
“Just so much shoveled dirt.”
Keep her talking!
“When did Angie die?”
“Before my time.”
“I know what happened, Anique. I understand. Catts hurt you, then made you hurt others.”
“Who’s Catts?”
“Menard. Catts killed Menard and took his name.”
“Menard. Catts.
“He was evil. He tortured you. He tortured Angie Robinson. You had to play along to please him.”
“I didn’t play along.” A finger jabbed her sternum. “I ruled. I was queen.”
“Q.” Queen of Hearts.
“You did what was necessary to survive.”
“You don’t get it. I’m the queen, not the rabbit.”
Go with it.
“I know. You’re the strong one, Anique. You shot Catts.”
“He grew weak.”
“You smothered Louise Parent.”
“A mercy killing.”
Her flippant indifference triggered a helpless, savage anger.
“You callous bitch!”
Pomerleau laughed and rhythmically rose to her toes and dropped to her heels like an excited child until I sat back, heaving and exhausted.
“The police will find you,” I panted. “You won’t get away.”
Pomerleau hooked one finger under a studded collar circling her neck.
“Three bodies were pulled from the ashes,” she chanted. “But, praise the lord, one victim escaped the flames.”
Upending the can, Pomerleau doused my clothes with gasoline.
My stomach lurched. My heart flew to my throat.
Calm! Stay calm!"
"Tossing the can, Pomerleau strode from the parlor. I heard her cross the hall, then move through the kitchen, the back bedroom, and the room beside us, pausing briefly in each.
