Read Escape the Night for Free Online Page B

very long time ago that people were often not what they seemed. Right now the only people he trusted were Jimmy, Anya and himself.
    * * * * *
    The day had dragged on interminably, or so it seemed to Anya. Gus was jittery as a caged tiger, although he tried his best to conceal it. She was sure something new had come up, although no matter how many times she asked him, he just kept denying it. 38
    Escape the Night
    He exchanged several phone calls with Jimmy, all of which he conducted in a low voice, often even walking out of the room to talk.
    "Don't keep me out of the loop," she finally told him, catching him out on the patio just ending a call.
    "I'm not, darlin'. I promise you, when there's something to know, you'll be the first."
    But he didn't quite look at her when he said it and her stomach lurched with anxiety. He took the time to show her how the security cameras worked, where they were placed, where the sensors were located and where the electronics controlling all of them were. Everything looked okay, but she couldn't get rid of the sense of unease that niggled at her.
    Finally she asked him the question no one had been willing to answer up until now.
    "How did Virgil actually make his escape? Obviously he couldn't just walk out. Not even from the infirmary."
    Gus had just poured himself a fresh cup of coffee. Now he fixed one for her and sat down at the kitchen table with her.
    "It appears someone--one of the visitors we're checking on--somehow brought something in to him that he could use to make himself sick. When they rushed him into the infirmary he was left alone with the nurse and one guard. Jimmy thinks both of them might be involved. It's the only thing that explains how he got out of the hospital so easily."
    She wrinkled her forehead. "What do you mean?"
    "They had to be the ones to call for the fake ambulance and let them take him out on the gurney."
    "I thought Mr. Barton said he was sending someone to the prison to talk to them,"
    she pointed out.
    39
    Desiree Holt
    Gus nodded. "He did, but he got nowhere. They claim they made the usual call for an ambulance and that's it. Only the telephone logs don't show an outgoing call to the source the prison uses and neither the guard nor the nurse is saying anything else. After the first visit from the agents they lawyered up and that's that."
    Anya ran her finger around the rim of her mug. "Does that mean we'll never find out anything? Especially where Virgil's gone to and if he knows where I am?"
    "Darlin'." Gus reached across the table. "We'll find out. I promise you. And there's no way he can learn where you are." He gave her a lopsided grin. "Besides, how can you worry with me here to protect you?"
    She tried to busy herself the rest of the day, but television held no interest for her nor could she concentrate on any of the books in the bookcase. Whoever had set this house up had taken care of everything except how to control her fear and put her mind at rest.
    At dinner time John made an appearance and Gus grilled steaks for all of them while Anya made a salad. At least it gave her something to do. She insisted on cleaning up while John and Gus got ready to switch shifts. Finally it was late enough that she could wander into the bedroom, hoping tonight she'd be able to sleep. She had just pulled off her jeans and t-shirt and headed for the bathroom when the door opened and Gus' presence filled the room.
    "I was just going to take a shower," she told him. "I thought it might help me relax and sleep better."
    He came up behind her, settled his hands at her waist and bent his head to nibble at her earlobe. "I think I have a better prescription for relaxing you."
    "Oh?" She leaned back into him. "And what might that be?"
    "Let's take it in the shower and I'll show you."
    Anya tossed her bra and panties onto her other clothes while Gus stripped and tossed his own clothes aside. He strode in front of her into the bathroom, turning on the 40
    Escape the