~ Unraveled ~

by

Diana Lee Johnson

Alison hugged herself to keep from shaking, full of confusion and disbelief.

“I’ll go now, Jess. But there’s so much that makes sense now, and I have some shreds of proof, maybe not enough to convince the cops yet. I can’t get into them all, but one more thing--I know more about your brother’s death than you do, and so does Tony--tons more. If you think about what I’ve said, and want to talk, want to know more--Sarah can find me.”

Burk made a speedy exit from her office and passed Bill again on the stairs. He didn’t acknowledge Bill’s greeting, but kept up his rapid pace through the front door of the showroom and to his car.

Bill bounded into Alison’s office. “Say, why didn’t you pick up the phone?” He didn’t wait for a reply, or even look at Alison’s face. His gaze had followed Burk down the hallway as he spoke. “Nice guy, huh? Sarah’s boyfriend, I mean.” As he moved out of the light from the hallway, Bill got a clear view of Alison, her arms wrapped tightly about her body, her eyes closed. There was no expression on her face, no color to it. She didn’t appear to be breathing. Tears streamed down her pale cheeks.

“Ali? Ali, what’s wrong? Something happen to Sarah?”

She neither moved, nor changed expression as she sat behind her desk, suddenly looking very small in her high-backed executive chair. Her shoulders and chest rose slightly as the only sign she was alive, until a fierce trembling took hold of her entire body.

“Ali?” Bill rushed around her desk and knelt in front of her. He grabbed her shoulders and shook her.

“Don’t.” Her voice was a mere whisper. “Don’t touch me, please.” Her words were slow, deliberate.

“Alison!” Bill shouted to bring her to her senses. “What-the-hell happened? Talk to me, damn it!” He shook her again.

She made no reply, but trying to get to her feet, her knees would not hold her, and Alison collapsed in Bill’s arms. Her eyes never closed, she didn’t faint. Her spirit just seemed to evaporate. As he placed Alison on the sofa in her office, Sarah appeared in the doorway.

“I’m sorry, Alison. I had to give him a chance to explain whatever was so important to him. He didn’t tell me. I really didn’t want to know. I know who he is, and he told me he’d done terrible things to you. I care about him very much. I had to let him see you. I’m going home now. If you want my resignation, it’s yours, just call me. If I don’t hear from you, I’ll be in tomorrow.”

Bill rushed to get Alison a cup of water from the cooler.

“Want to tell me what’s going on here?” he said to Sarah as she moved past him toward the door.

“It’s not my place to say.” She continued to the hallway.

“Alison?” he questioned, as he offered the cup of water, which she pushed away.

Alison collected herself a bit, pushed back her hair and inhaled a deep breath. “It doesn’t concern you, Bill. I’m sorry I bothered you. I’m fine.” She tried to dismiss him.

“Fine, hell! Alison--” He took her shoulders tightly in his hands and knelt in front of her.

“Let go of me, Bill, and get back to work.” She didn’t mean to sound sharp, but the crack in her voice clipped her words short.

“Fine!” He threw the paper cup full of water across the room.

Alison didn’t even notice. Bill turned to leave her there in her office. He paused at the door without turning around, hoping she’d call him back. When she didn’t, he opened his fists and thrust his hands into his pockets as he left.