Chapter 457
To see Lorraine?
Penelope’s heart clenched. She looked at Mrs. Stapleton and saw her grinning, a crazed look in her eyes.
Mrs. Stapleton was still sick. She hadn’t recovered at all.
“Are you taking me to the old manor?” Penelope said, forcing herself to remain calm. This was not the time to provoke her. “But Theodore is waiting for us at home. Why don’t we pick him up and go see Lorraine together p>
“Lorraine is dead! She was crushed by a falling tree on that stormy night twenty years ago!” Mrs. Stapleton’s voice was chillingly cold.
Penelope watched as the speedometer climbed higher and higher, pushing ninety- five miles per hour. It was rush hour, and the heavy traffic meant a collision was imminent.
Penelope swallowed hard. “Are we going to the cemetery? It’s probably closed by now. How about I go with you tomorrow instead p>
“You killed my Lorraine p>
“It was an accident p>
“You killed my Lorraine! You’re a murderer p>
“Please pull over. I want to get out p>
“Why did you go to the Bishop house that day?! Why did you leave through the back door?! Why did you leave your hair tie on the ground?! Why! Why!” Mrs. Stapleton’s emotions erupted, and her grip on the steering wheel loosened, causing the car to swerve erratically.
Penelope tried to grab the wheel, but Mrs. Stapleton jerked it sharply to the left, nearly sideswiping a car in the next lane. The close call terrified Penelope into stillness.
“Where are you taking me?” Penelope asked, simultaneously pulling out her phone to message Theodore.
“I told you, I’m taking you to see Lorraine. It’s a life for a life p>
“Lorraine won’t come back, even if you kill me p>
“I’m going with you to see her p>
Penelope shuddered. Mrs. Stapleton was planning a murder-suicide.
“You p>
Before she could finish, the car jolted violently with a deafening crash. They had hit another vehicle. But Mrs. Stapleton seemed not to notice, maintaining her speed as she raced forward.
In the rearview mirror, Penelope saw the car they’d hit spin into the guardrail She had no idea if the
people inside were okay, but shenet
couldn’t worry about that now. They were approaching the end of the elevated highway, and a traffic fight was just ahead.
Just as panic began to set in, a video message arrived from Theodore.
She opened it to see an Al-generated image of Lorraine. Understanding Theodore’s intent, she quickly showed the phone to Mrs. Stapleton.
“Look, Lorraine is right here p>
Mrs. Stapleton stared at the screen, a look of confusion on her face, before shaking her head. “That’s not Lorraine. My Lorraine is dead p>
“Mom, why aren’t you home yet? Lorraine misses you,” the Al Lorraine said in the next video.
The word ‘Mom’ seemed to disorient Mrs. Stapleton again. She started muttering, “Don’t be afraid, Lorraine, Mommy is coming to be with you I’m so sorry I left you all alone there. You must be so scared Mommy’s on her way p>
over
They were about to exit the highway, and Penelope could see the red light ahead.
Gritting her teeth, she yelled at Mrs. Stapleton.
“What are you doing?! Lorraine is waiting for you at home! Where do you think you’re going p>
The shout startled Mrs. Stapleton, making her forget her objective. “Lorraine is at home… Lorraine is waiting for me p>
“Stop the car! Now!” Penelope continued to shout.
“Stop the car. Right, stop the car p>
In her flustered state, Mrs. Stapleton couldn’t seem to remember how to brake.
Penelope looked at the intersection just as a bus began to pull through. Sweat dripped from her forehead as terror seized her.