Previously in Picket Fences …
Angela begins to tell her husband about a terrible accident that occurred on Kellyn Court which has haunted her for years and is now threatening the life she has built. Where we left off in Angela’s recollection, both Angela and Carol are terrified by Carol’s husband who has a gun and has just shot Carol. In the ensuing struggle, the husband, Shane, is struck unconscious.
Angela checked Carol’s arm, “It’s only a flesh wound, you’ll be okay.” She hurried into the kitchen to find some towels and a first aid kit. Returning to Carol with items in hand, Angela looked over at Shane, who was still out cold. “You need to listen to me; we don’t have much time,” said Angela as she dressed Carol’s arm. “What are we going to do?” Carol asked, tears streaking her face. Angela finished dressing Carol’s arm. “How do you know to do that?” Carol asked. Ignoring the second question, Angela started explaining her plan. “What we are going to do is take Shane up the stairs and push him down, so he breaks his neck and it looks like an accident. You will call the police and tell them you heard a thud and found Shane at the bottom of the stairs.” “No, no, no,” Carol replied, her eyes tearing up. “Look at him,” Angela snapped, “when he wakes up, he’s going to kill you!” Softening, she cupped Carol’s face in her hands, “It’s the only way, trust me.” “Won’t the police figure out what really happened?” Carol asked. “Fish only get caught when their mouths are open,” Angela answered, “the less you say, the better.” “You sound like you’ve done this before…” Carol ventured, aghast. “Come on, we don’t have much time!” Angela exclaimed. With the plan laid out the two women dragged Shane out of the study, through the foyer and up the stairs. At the top of the stairs the tired women sat to catch their breath. Carol noticed that Shane was beginning to come to. “Angela… Angela!” Carol shouted. “What the hell… What’s going on?” Shane looked at Carol by his feet and then looked up at Angela. He grabbed Angela’s leg just as her foot collided with his nose, breaking it. Recovering, Shane got to his feet and lunged for Angela. Carol tried to pull Shane back, but he knocked her against the wall, dazing her for a few seconds. He grabbed Angela’s arm, pulling her up and around. Thrown off balance, the heel of her boot snapped, and she toppled over the banister. The only thing keeping her from falling was her tight grip on Shane’s shirt. “No!” Carol screamed while Angela and Shane struggled. Angela heard Shane’s shirt starting to rip and felt his weight shift as Carol began pushing him from behind. Knowing she didn’t have much time she braced her legs on the edge of the banister, pulling Shane over as Carol pushed. At the last second, Angela grasped the ledge of the landing as Shane toppled. Her sweat soaked fingers quickly lost grip and she plummeted. Carol heard two thuds. She scrambled to her feet and reluctantly looked over the banister to find Shane lying in a pool of blood on the white marble floor, Angela splayed on top of him.
Angela opened her eyes, pain shooting through her back as she rolled off of Shane’s cold body. “Carol…Carol!” Angela cried out. Getting to her feet, she realized Carol was nowhere to be found. Angela limped to the phone and dialed 911, leaving the phone off the hook. She staggered out to the running car, almost out of gas, and headed home…
Angela looks at Bruce as she finishes her story. “Say something,” she says. Bruce looks at her with an expression she’s never seen before. Without a word, he gets up and walks out the door, leaving Angela at the table alone.
To be continued…
