Yesterday

Chapter Forty

Playing with the knife when she arrived into the shadows at the top of the stairs, she found the small button at the top of the handle. A long slender blade snapped into place. A switchblade. Nasty. Folding it back into place she heard a small click. She tucked it into the slash pocket on the hip of her trousers and continued until she came to the windows looking out onto the construction area.

No one there. Silence as well. Was the gunfight over? In her mind she screamed for Harry. The twin to her heartbeat stuttered in her chest.

Gaia?

The voice in her head was Harry, and she grabbed the window ledge beside her as she stumbled forward in shock.

Harry? My love? Are you safe?

Yes. Busy but safe. I'm on the stage, stage right if you come from the back to face the audience. In the shadows there. I've got a badly injured dancer here.

How did this happen? Why can I hear you now?

Necessity? I'll ask my Grandda Robbie when I have a chance. Wise old witch that he is, he'll know the answer. If not, he can find out. But let's use this to our advantage.

I'm coming from backstage.

What! You are supposed to be outside in the truck.

Couldn't do it. I think I killed Ricky.

Where?

Downstairs. The hall you used to get in I'm guessing. Maybe?

Good riddance. Do NOT blame yourself.

He was bleeding badly from the head. Never stopped to make sure he was still breathing. I have his pistol and a knife now. Where do I get through to the stage? I'm in a hallway with windows.

Take any door to your right. I came in through the construction with the holes. Graves they intend to use, I think.

I'm past the construction. I can see the dark curtain wall too.

Take the next door to your right. I think that will bring you in on stage left. Stay right by the door where you come on to the backstage area. I will find you. Do you hear sirens?

Yes.

Be careful, I hear someone running on the other side of the stage.

Gaia tested the doorknob and found it unlocked. With her right hand clutching the stiletto switchblade, she eased the door open. The small sliver of light shining into the dark area gave her eyes time to adjust and she slipped the rest of the way through.

The soft shuffle of footsteps somewhere in front of her didn't sound like Harry's and she eased the knife out of her pocket, pressing the button to extend the blade. Who was trying to sneak out and avoid the police? She could hear the shouts of freeze and hands up.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"We have her now. If can go if you're needed elsewhere," the ambulance driver said. He knelt beside the dancer and slipped a tourniquet above her knee.

Harry nodded. "We have more injured toward the back in a lower hallway. I'm going to check it out. Use the door at the back of stage left to come down."

"We'll let Command know."

"Thank you."

Harry placed his feet carefully as he worked his way across the stage floor. Silence was his best friend at the moment. The picture of Gaia's location imprinted in his brain, and he knew there were six side curtains between her and the stage floodlights.