Michael's wife was dead. Whether it was from murder or suicide her demise had been brutal.
Whether it was the wine or shock Eliza could only guess. But she remained numb as Brooke continued talking about the suspicions that had surrounded the beloved Annie Westwright's death. Annie. Even her name was endearing.
Focusing on Brooke's monologue was becoming more difficult. She struggled to watch the woman's mouth move and catch portions of her sentences. Some said post-partum depression. No way. But then he had just brought that blond bitch here a few days earlier so jealousy was another word floating around. But anyone who knew sweet little Annie knew that she loved that baby and bless her heart even loved her husband. And there was absolutely no way she would jump out of a window.
"Very sad," Eliza repeated with a nod. God, what had she gotten into? His wife had invented the damn thing and then died without leaving the instructions. Now it was missing. And he was the last person to have it in his possession. She glanced across the room to find him standing with none other than Deborah.
"The blond bitch?" Eliza interrupted.
"The one he's talking to now," Brooked answered, nodding towards the couple across the room. "Something weird there. But this place is full of secrets. Did you know that they started recruiting from outside only ten years ago? Oh yeah, before the big three took over they didn't leave the farm for anything if you know what I mean." When Eliza continued to stare at her silently she explained with one word. "Inbreeding."
After a few minutes Brooke had completed her tale and disappeared into the crowd. Eliza sat in silence trying to remember everything that she had just heard. It was mostly gossip of course but some truths could be gleaned from it. Struggling to decipher the new information she started feeling warm and claustrophobic in the crowded room.
Glancing through the crowd she found Deborah speaking with another man but Michael was nowhere in sight. She moved from her seat to the door hoping to find the nearest exit. With several people blocking her path to the elevator Eliza found the stairwell and started her descent. The banquet hall was located on the fifth floor and even though her feet were killing her she moved as fast as possible.
She had almost reached the second floor before she noticed something different. As the fog in her brain lifted she realized that the lower floors were darker. The lights were out. Before she could stop she saw a shadow move in the corner. Fear gripped her throat and held her scream as the dark form stepped towards her. Sensing the threat she rushed past the shadow hoping to escape his grasp as she continued down the next flight of stairs.
Before Eliza could reach the bottom floor she felt the hand push against her back. Losing her balance Eliza covered her face with her arms hoping to lessen the impact. The cold concrete was unforgiving as it slammed against her elbow and hip. She carefully moved her arm and leg which were throbbing in pain but not seriously injured.
She opened her eyes struggling to focus on her surroundings. The exit light above the door illuminated the darkened stairwell with an eerie red glow. The sound of footsteps moving closer forced her to move. Crawling on her hands and knees she cried out when hands roughly grabbed her hair. Standing behind her the dark form pulled until her head was off the ground.
Eliza struggled against the surprise attack by alternating blows to her captor and trying to pull her hand from the menacing grasp. Why couldn't she breathe? When she thought she would finally be released a dark shadow moved in front of her face. She saw red stars on the dark hand before it grabbed her throat and squeezed.
Eliza clawed at her captor realizing that it was leather and not skin that she was scratching. Struggling again to breathe she fought against her assailant until she could no longer move. When she was finally released she collapsed on the floor gasping for air.
She heard someone say her name from a distance far away and then a face floated in and out of the darkness before bright florescent lights flickered and blinded her. And then he was there with others hovering over her sore body. She blinked as she watched his mouth move and heard his voice but was unable to understand his words.
Then other voices started screaming in the stairwell. Someone was saying the light had been turned off. Another said she must have tripped in her dress. And finally someone said that she had been drinking.
"Shut up!" Michael yelled looking over his shoulder. "Eliza," he whispered turning to her, "can you move?"
"I think so but my knee hurts."
"Then don't move," he instructed. "EMS will be here soon. Someone said they saw you run out of the room. What happened?"
"I needed air. The elevator was blocked."
"Ok. Just stay awake until we can get you to the infirmary."
"No," she argued pushing his hands away. "Let me up. I'm ok."
"Then let me help you," Michael said wrapping his arms around her waist. "Deb, send everyone away and have someone bring my car to the front."
"No," Eliza whispered against his neck. "I need to go to my room."
"Eliza."
"Please Michael."
"Ok. Deb, make sure the path is clear to the elevator. What's wrong Eliza?"
"My necklace," she answered as she searched her neck and the bodice of her gown. "I've lost my necklace."
When she pulled away and knelt on the floor everyone watched in confusion. Michael finally knelt and pulled her hands into his. Feeling her panic rise Eliza jerked away and continued patting on the floor.
"It's here. It has to be here. Oh god, please don't let him have it."
"Who?"
"The man who pushed me."
"What man?" Michael demanded. "Eliza, damn it, quit crawling around. What man?"
"Here it is," Deborah said bending in the corner of the stairwell. She held up the string of diamonds and glared at Michael. "A drunk girl with a vivid imagination and a very expensive necklace. No man. Jesus Michael. What the hell?"
"He was here," Eliza whispered. "Michael I swear it. He was here."
"There was no one here," Deborah snapped. "We have enough drama so drop the act. I can't believe this is the best KGA can offer." She tossed the necklace to Michael and started to walk away. "She must not have snapped the clasp properly."
"It's broken" he murmured. "How does a platinum clasp break?"
Eliza watched silently as the two turned towards her. The onlookers had been cleared from the stairwell leaving the three of them alone. Trying to stand she quickly grabbed Michael's arm as her knees protested against her weight. When he moved beneath the bare florescent lights she stared as he lifted his hands to her throat. The expression on his face scared her.
Turning to Deborah he said, "And this?"
Touching her throat Eliza grimaced at the sting against her skin and quickly pulled her fingers away. A glance confirmed what she already knew. The pressure of the necklace against her throat had cut her skin.
"I'm taking you to the infirmary," Michael insisted. "You need to see a doctor now."
"Wait," she mumbled against his shoulder. "Please take me to my room. I need to get dressed and get something."
"Eliza..."
"Please."
Without a word Michael slipped the necklace into his pocket and lifted her into his arms. As she was carried through the foyer and into the elevator Eliza appreciated the silence that accompanied them. With only the sound of Michael's heartbeat she tried to remember the events that had led to this moment. No matter what Deborah said someone had been in the stairwell and had pushed her down the stairs. She was now bleeding from the injury on her neck which probably happened when her necklace was pulled along with her hair.
