Eliza glanced up, searching for the taunting female voice. A sleek, red car idled a few feet away. The tinted, passenger side window rolled down, revealing Sabrina Maldove’s dark head.
“The offer to join us is still open.”
“You just got me fired!” yelled Eliza, leaping to her feet. She stalked over to the car, scowling into the dim cabin.
“So, is that a no?” Sabrina smiled sweetly.
“We’ll give you a ride.” Frankie leaned over from the driver’s seat and flashed a mega-watt smile, “Anywhere you want to go.”
“Unless you’d rather sit here in the freezing cold, waiting for a bus.” Sabrina’s nose wrinkled at the word; Eliza could almost hear the unspoken ‘eww’ in Sabrina’s statement. “I hear it’s supposed to rain.”
At the mention of the word, the sky burst open, drenching Eliza. She stood in the downpour, debating her options, her breath visibly rising from her mouth in long, smoky strands. Water dripped into her shoes, freezing her toes.
“Fine.” She acquiesced. “You can take me home.”
“Wonderful.” Sabrina beamed. She opened the door and climbed onto the sidewalk, taking refuge under a bright red umbrella Frankie handed her. Eliza squeezed past Sabrina into the tiny backseat. Regally, Sabrina slid back into her seat, shaking the umbrella several times before she snapped it closed. Handing it to Frankie, Sabrina pulled the door closed with flourish.
“Where to?” asked Frankie as she stowed the umbrella under her seat.
“The Wiltshire,” replied Eliza.
“Sounds cheap.” Sabrina scoffed.
“It is,” snapped Eliza, irked by Sabrina’s condescending tone. “It’s off Main, south of the train station.”
“Oh.” Frankie’s eyes widened, a minute reaction which Eliza caught in the rear-view mirror.
Sabrina elbowed Frankie. “What does ‘oh’ mean?”
Eliza leaned forward between the two seats and smirked. “It means Frankie doesn’t want to drive this beautiful, expensive car into that neighborhood.”
“That’s not what it means.” Frankie huffed and crossed her arms.
“Oh, really?” Eliza tilted her head. “What does it mean?”
“We just thought you lived closer,” replied Frankie.
“Sure.” Eliza rolled her eyes.
“Just drive.” Sabrina waved her hand, exasperation seeping into the two words.
“Sabrina, I’m not driving all the way to Main.” Frankie shook her head with finality. “Absolutely not. She can take the bus.”
“Fine with me.” Eliza scooted up and shoved the back of Sabrina’s seat.
Unprepared for Eliza’s sudden movement, Sabrina flew forward, her hands slamming into the dashboard. With a growl, Sabrina locked her arms, pushing back against Eliza. The seatback wavered as Sabrina glared at Frankie.
“I’ll drive Eliza home.”
Eliza stopped wrestling with the seatback and released it. It fell into place, startling Eliza, who shrieked as she tumbled backward. Her head whipped around, glaring at Eliza.
“Sorry,” mumbled Eliza.
“Sometimes you can be a real bitch, Frankie.” Thunder punctuated Sabrina’s accusation. “Just drop us at the house and leave.”
Frankie pouted, her eyes darting sideways to glance at Sabrina. “Are you dismissing me?”
“I am.” Sabrina, folded her arms and turned her back on Frankie. She stared out the car window, feigning fascination with the rivulets of water streaming down the glass.
Without a sound, Frankie started the car. She drove several blocks before making an unexpected left turn, throwing both Sabrina and Eliza against the car windows. The car skidded, and Eliza’s face smashed against the glass. Tires squealing, Frankie revved the engine, causing the back end of the car to vibrate violently. It threatened to fishtail.
“Childish, Frankie, very childish.” Sabrina’s chastising voice floated quietly through the car. “I’m quite disappointed in you this evening.”
“I did everything you asked.” Frankie sniffed and eased up on the accelerator.
Twisting in her seat, Sabrina raised her hand and struck Frankie across the face, a red handprint appearing on her cheek. Frankie swerved into oncoming traffic, and her mouth hung open in a silent ‘Oh’. A large van blared its horn as it veered to the right, nearly crashing into the driver side door.
Eliza screamed.
Skillfully, Frankie whipped their car around the other vehicle, continuing to drive headlong into oncoming traffic. She turned and glared at Sabrina, the engine screaming as Frankie slammed the pedal to the floor. The car lurched forward, bearing down on a red light. Frankie locked eyes with Sabrina, and they glowered at each other, refusing to blink.
“You know why.” Sabrina spoke calmly, as if they were discussing the weather and not racing toward a busy intersection.
Frankie nodded once and grimaced. She deflated and pulled the wheel hard, sliding across two lanes of blacktop. With the brakes screaming, the car skidded to a stop. A quick shift of gears and the vehicle jumped forward again, speeding around the corner and zipping down a tiny, one-way street. They popped out on an access road, running parallel to a set of train tracks. In the distance the train’s whistle pierced the night.
“Think you can make it?” goaded Sabrina.
“Yes,” replied Frankie, her hands kneading the steering wheel.
“Go for it.”
With a whoop, Frankie ground the accelerator to the floor, heading toward a crossing roughly a half-mile in the distance. The train ate up the miles, closing quickly. Her tongue trapped between her teeth, Frankie hunched over as if willing the car to move faster.
“Let me out!” screamed Eliza, realizing the train would beat them to the crossing. Ramming the seatback forward with her shoulder, she clawed at the door handle, releasing the latch. The door swung wide.
“Hey!” shouted Frankie, grabbing hold of Sabrina’s arm to keep her from falling out of the car. “We’re still moving.”
“I don’t care!” yelled Eliza, shoving the seat again. “You’re both crazy!”
Sabrina laughed maniacally. Without warning, she slammed the seat backward. The headrest collided with Eliza’s forehead, knocking her away from the open door. “Drive, Frankie.”
The car lurched forward as Frankie increased its speed; the passenger door slammed shut. A lock clicked. Sabrina turned around, her brown eyes blazing. “Hold on tight, Eliza.”
Glancing to her right, Eliza watched the headlight of the train bear down on them. The whistle squealed an earsplitting warning. Eliza screamed, throwing her hands over her face, bracing for the crunch of metal. The car’s tires bounced over railroad tracks, flinging Eliza into the air. Her head bashed into the roof, and she crumpled in the back seat, her head throbbing.
“Way to go, Frankie!” Sabrina slapped Frankie’s offered palm as they skirted around the crossing guard on the opposite side of the tracks.
“You could have killed us.” Eliza sat up shakily and glanced out the rear window at the train. She spun around. “I want you to take me home this instant.”
“You leave when I say you can,” replied Sabrina. She flipped her hair, tossing a curl at Eliza.
“You said you would take me home.” Eliza leaned forward.
“And I will… eventually.”
“This is kidnapping!”
“No.” Sabrina shook her head slowly, her mouth stretched into a chilling grin. “It’s not. I’m merely borrowing you for a bit.”
“You can’t do that!” Eliza’s gaze bounced wildly over the back seat, searching for some type of escape.
“Why not?” Sabrina watched Eliza as though she were studying an insect.
Eliza glared at Sabrina. “It’s illegal.”
“So is Frankie’s driving.” Sabrina shrugged.
Frankie snorted, her eyes locked on the road.
“Someone will call the police.” Eliza tried a different tactic, trying to calm her erratic heartbeat.
“Who?” Sabrina raised a daring eyebrow. “Your non-existent boss? Your imaginary boyfriend? Perhaps your dead parents?”
Eliza recoiled, her jaw dropped. It was not possible, in a small town like this; she had been so careful. How did Sabrina know who she was? She pushed her fear down and slipped her fingers into her jacket pocket. They curled around the only weapon available, her pen for recording drink orders.
“How do you know about my parents?”
Frankie giggled, drawing Eliza’s attention in the rearview mirror. She winked audaciously. “Oops, didn’t keep that secret long.”
“How do you know about my parents?” Eliza’s voice rose hysterically.
Sabrina’s gaze flicked to Frankie, and a silent conversation passed between them. Sabrina nodded and returned her attention to Eliza. “Frankie told me. She has a special talent, you see. I ask her for something, and she gets it.”
A small smile pulled at the corner of Frankie’s mouth. Her head inclined slightly toward Sabrina in acknowledgement of the compliment.
“And in my case,” asked Eliza, “what did she get you?”
“Information.”
“What do you know about me?” asked Eliza, her mind latching onto one shred of hope that perhaps they confused her with someone else.
“I know you’re an only child with no close family. I know you don’t have a checking account, and judging by where you’re staying, no money. In fact, I bet you don’t have much more than whatever amount Mr. Taren guiltily gave you this evening. I’m guessing about three hundred dollars.”
Eliza flushed. Her hand automatically checked the small wad in her pocket. She had not yet counted the money, but she felt Sabrina’s guess was close to the correct amount.
“I also know you’ve only been in town three days, and you have a very shabby wardrobe.” Sabrina’s eyes condescendingly traveled over Eliza’s ratty coat. “You moved at least a dozen times in the past year, and you’re only paid up through the middle of next week, which means you’re planning on leaving soon.”
“Can you read my future too?” replied Eliza sarcastically, flopping back in her seat, her harsh tone not revealing the relief she felt. While Frankie may know some information, the most important secret about Eliza remained just that—a secret.
“Frankie’s very good at her job.” Sabrina patted Frankie’s shoulder, blithely ignorant of Eliza’s reaction.
Frankie grinned, catching Eliza’s eyes in the mirror again. She tilted her head in contemplation before speaking. “I apologize for the deception, Eliza. We may have fibbed to you a bit—we really had no intention of taking you home tonight.”
Sabrina interrupted Frankie. “Which now brings me to my previous question from earlier this evening.”
“I am not having sex with either of you,” stated Eliza flatly. She debated how much injury she could sustain if she jumped from the moving vehicle.
“Damn.” Frankie’s brilliant eyes lifted toward the mirror, appraising Eliza with a leer. “I had such hopes.”
“Frankie.” Sabrina issued the warning with a low growl.
“Fine, I’ll be quiet.”
“Thank you.”
“Anytime.”
Sabrina’s eyes narrowed. She waited a moment, impatiently drumming her fingernails against the center console. “Are you finished?”
“Yes.”
Turning, Sabrina flashed a wide smile at Eliza. “I have a proposition for you.”
“I’m not interested.”
“I swear, you don’t have to fuck either of us.” Sabrina rolled her eyes. “I’ll make it worth your while.”
Eliza bit the side of her lower lip, debating. “How much is my while?”
“Ten thousand dollars.”
Ten thousand dollars? Eliza leaned forward in her seat.
“I’m listening.”
“My father’s law firm is hosting a charity auction tomorrow afternoon to raise money for heart research. I’d like your help with the event.” She rummaged around in her purse and extracted a folded pink piece of paper. She passed the crumpled page to Eliza.
Eliza smoothed out the heavy paper, straining to read the words in the dark. A streetlamp flashed past, highlighting the words ‘10th Annual Clarissa Maldove Memorial Charity Auction’. She glanced up at Sabrina.
“Your mother?” Eliza gestured at the name.
“My sister.”
“In-law,” added Frankie.
Sabrina elbowed Frankie. “She was like a sister. What do you say, Eliza? Will you help us raise money for heart research?”
“I don’t have much money to donate, but I suppose I could serve drinks or something.” Eliza’s eyes flicked up from the flyer.
“The event is catered, and you’re not really good at waitressing, anyway.”
“Thanks,” bristled Eliza.
“That was meant to be a compliment.”
“I fail to see how, but please continue,” Eliza replied. Her sarcastic response earned a snicker from Frankie.
Sabrina ground her teeth. “Do you want to help me or not?”
“What exactly do you want me to do?”
“I want to auction you.”
“Like a servant?”
“No.” Sabrina rolled her eyes. “Whoever purchases you gets to take you out on a date that evening.”
Eliza opened her mouth to comment, but Sabrina cut her off. “The event is held on a private boat, owned by my father’s firm. No one leaves the ship during the entire weekend unless there’s an emergency. There will always be people around to ensure your safely.”
Eliza glanced back at the paper, debating the proposition. She needed the money. “So, what exactly happens on one of these dates?”
“That’s strictly between the buyer and you.” Frankie locked eyes with Eliza in the rear-view mirror. “It’s all confidential.”
“I’m not having sex for money.”
“I got that.” Sabrina’s voice vibrated with irritation. “I’m asking you to help me out in a pinch, no moral compromise required. In return for this favor, I’ll help you.”
“Why me?” The question nagged Eliza, sowing mistrust.
“What?” For the first time, Sabrina’s cool facade slipped slightly.
“Why did you pick me? You obviously did some research on my background prior to asking me, plus you orchestrated my firing.”
A light blush colored Sabrina’s skin. “I did no such thing.”
“Then, no.” Folding her arms, Eliza leaned back into her seat.
“No?” Sabrina seemed surprised by the answer. “I offered you money.”
“So?”
“Just tell her.” Frankie muttered out of the side of her mouth.
“Shut up, Frankie,” retorted Sabrina.
Eliza sat forward again, her nose almost touching Sabrina’s. “Tell me, or I get out right now.”
“You don’t even know where you are.” Sabrina sneered as she gestured to the passing landscape.
Eliza glanced out the window. City streets had given way to a winding road rising into the hills. The highway was sporadically dotted with streetlamps, casting an eerie glow around the car. A faint green sign read ‘Castleton 10 miles’.
“I don’t care.” Eliza’s wavering voice belied the bold statement. Castleton was at least thirty miles from town. How fast was Frankie driving?
“It’s a long walk,” warned Sabrina.
“I don’t have any pressing commitments,” retorted Eliza.
Sabrina growled and punched the roof of the car. “Okay, fine. My father saw you working in the club last night and requested I collect you as one of the prizes to be auctioned. We always do a standard background check on all participants.”
“Why did your father invite me?”
“Because you’re beautiful,” whispered Frankie.
Eliza glanced dubiously at Frankie. “You must have mistaken me for someone else.”
“No.” Sabrina shook her head, “I don’t make mistakes. He specifically requested the feisty, young woman who nearly maimed Charlie.”
Eliza smirked, recalling the shock on the aforementioned man’s face when Eliza threatened to break his fingers with her drink tray. “Okay, that was me,” she admitted, fighting the twitching of her lips.
“Just come with us tomorrow,” implored Frankie, speaking to Eliza through the rear-view mirror. “No obligations. Go for a boat ride, eat some delicious food, meet the bidders, and decide if you would like to volunteer your time. It’s a fantastic opportunity for you to make some job connections, plus Sabrina is good for the money.” An unspoken plea blazed in Frankie’s green eyes. “I promise, I’ll drive you to the Wiltshire myself if you choose to leave, but at least give it a chance, please.”
“I guarantee you’ll have a private room for the weekend,” added Sabrina, picking up the conversation. “Also, I’ll pay you five thousand dollars as soon as we reach the house tonight, which you can keep, no matter what you decide. If you stay, I’ll give you the rest at the end of the weekend.”
“I have nothing to wear.” Eliza stalled, her practical mind arguing with itself.
“We’ll purchase everything you need tomorrow morning. I’ll be your fairy godmother with a platinum card.”
Eliza deflated. “Okay, I’ll think about it.”
“Sabrina has excellent taste.” Frankie returned her attention to the road, searching for something in the darkness.
“Thank you, Frankie.” Sabrina smiled and turned around in her seat, pointing at a break in the darkness. “Turn there.”
Eliza squinted out the window. A single light, burning faintly in the distance, grew larger as Frankie raced around the road’s hairpin turns. As they rounded a corner, the house burst into view. It spread across a large drive, rising two stories in the air. White columns dotted the veranda, wrapping around the sides toward the rear of the house.
“Wow, you live here?”
“This is my parents’ house,” replied Sabrina, without turning. “I live closer to town. However, since we’re all leaving early tomorrow, my parents thought it wise to have everyone gather here the night before.”
“Everyone? How many people are going?”
“Frankie and myself, obviously, and my parents.”
“So, the five of us?”
“Seven.” Frankie ducked sideways as Sabrina took a swing at her.
“My brothers are also supposed to attend; however, they usually don’t show up until right before we launch.”
Frankie abruptly killed the engine and leapt from the vehicle. She disappeared around the back of the house without speaking another word.
“Where did she go?” Eliza twisted around, staring out the window at the corner of the house Frankie had vanished behind.
Sabrina climbed regally out of the car, gesturing for Eliza to follow her into the house. “To retrieve the payment I promised. Come, I’ll show you where you’re sleeping tonight.”
Eliza followed her from the vehicle, unable to shake the growing feeling of unease. If Frankie was able to find out that much information about her in less than a day, who else could?