Chapter 23

Mac Ruster opened the door under the staircase that led to the soundproof basement and raced down the steps two at a time. He rushed to the storage room at the far end of the basement and swung the door open. Tiffany Alcox was sitting on the floor with her knees up and her arms hugging her legs to her chest. Her forehead rested on her knees and her feet were hidden beneath the long-flowing black habit that gathered around her on the floor. The nun headdress was on, although a few blonde hairs peeked out. Tiffany looked up at him with eyes bloodshot from crying.

Her eyes opened wide. “Mac! What are you doing here? Thank God! Help me.” She rattled the chain near the collar. “Can you get this off? Please help me.”

“I have a key.”

“Thank God! Oh, thank you. Hurry up before someone comes.”

Mac fished the key from his pocket, but walked to the wall instead of Tiffany. He fumbled with the lock connecting the chain to the metal hoop attached to the wall.

“No,” Tiffany said in a loud whisper, “open the collar. Get this off me. Hurry.”

The key slid into the lock and, with a twist, it sprang open. Mac looped the end of the six-foot chain around his hand.

Tiffany jumped to her feet. “What are you doing? Take off the collar.”

“I can’t.”

“How do you know? You didn’t try. It might be the same key.”

Mac tugged the chain. “Let’s go.”

Tiffany stood firm, but when Mac yanked on the chain she stumbled forward and then walked behind him as he led her through the door. “Where are we going? How’d you find me? Where are we?”

“I was told to get you.”

Tiffany stopped. The collar tried to pull her forward so she grabbed the chain. Mac turned around.

“Who?” Tiffany said. “What’s going on?”

“You’ll soon find out.”

“No! Tell me or I won’t go.”

Mac’s forehead creased as he tugged the chain. Tiffany clamped her lips and tightened her fingers around the cool metal. He yanked hard. She toppled forward, breaking her fall with both hands. Mac dragged her sliding and twisting body across the basement floor as she clung to the chain. He stopped at the foot of the stairs.

Mac looked down at the scared girl. “Am I going to drag you up the stairs or are you going to walk?”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Because I was told to. Now get up or I’ll drag you.”

“But we know each other. We went to school together.”

Mac glowered at her. “What, like we’re friends? Bullshit! You thought I was a piece of shit. You treated me like shit. You all did. All of you motherfuckers.”

Mac stepped closer and leaned over her. Tiffany pulled her knees up and cowered.

In a softer voice, Mac said, “But it’s different now. I’m important now.” He tugged the chain. “I’m not going to tell you again. Get up or I’ll drag you up the stairs. And I don’t care how much it hurts.”

Tiffany clambered to her feet. She put a hand on Mac’s shoulder and leaned next to his ear. “Mac, I’m sorry. Please help me. I’m begging you.”

“The only way out of here is up these stairs. Are you coming?”

Mac didn’t wait for an answer. He turned and climbed the stairs. Tiffany followed four steps behind with the chain looped between them feeling heavier than before. When Mac opened the door, the voices coming from the main level caused Tiffany to stop before reaching the top. Mac tugged on the chain until she took the last few steps. Coming out from under the staircase, she looked toward the noise coming from the large room. Her head turned in every direction with her eyes taking everything in.

Tiffany grabbed the chain. She pulled it hard. The chain dug into Mac’s hand, but he stood his ground.

“You bastard!” he said.

Mac turned toward the large room and took quick, long strides. The chain stretched, became taut, and then Tiffany stumbled forward. She almost had to run to keep up with him as she held onto the chain with both hands. The voices got louder. And then she and Mac were standing at the entrance to the large room.

Tiffany’s hand flew to cover her gaping mouth. “Everyone’s naked!”