Wednesday, July 20^th

Alexis trudged up the short sidewalk to Abby’s house. She wasn’t skipping up the walk. She didn’t feel like skipping since Steve Burgess reappeared in her life. July had been miserable. When she opened the door, she realized her misery was just beginning. It would also soon be over.

Abby was on her knees in front of Burgess who sat in the old woman’s favorite chair. The barrel of Burgess’ semiautomatic was in her mouth.

“I need your keys, Piper,” Burgess said, not bothering to greet her.

She held out her hand, which still held her house key.

“Not that key, stupid,” Burgess said. “You have key cards that will let me take the elevator to the 15^th floor and into the Anderson woman’s condo. I want those keys.”

“No,” Alexis cried. “No, I won’t give you those.”

“Your choice, Piper. Say goodbye to your friend.”

“Wait. Don’t kill her. She never hurt anybody

“The keys.”

Her shoulders slumped. She reached into her handbag for the two key cards linked with a small chain. She handed them to Burgess.

“Which is which?”

“The gray one lets you access the secure floors,” she mumbled. “The white one opens any of the unit doors.”

“Good girl, Piper,” he flashed his evil smile as he pulled the trigger. As he had threatened, the .40 caliber bullet took off the back of Abby’s head. Her brains flew across the room, some of which landed on Alexis.

Alexis’ shriek of horror was short-lived. The second bullet Burgess fired struck her squarely in the forehead.

Piper died months earlier. Alexis joined her today. Her friend Abby was waiting for her. They would not be going to Napa.