Before Alex could set the phone on the counter, it rang again. She answered without looking at it.
“What do you want, Sarah? I don’t want to hear your side of the story.”
Alex was startled when she heard a scream. It took her a couple seconds to key in on the voice.
“Alex,” Jill screamed. “Oh God, I think it’s a trap. I think it’s Steve; he’s got me cornered. Help! Alex, help!”
Alex held the phone, listening to the words with horror. Then she heard a loud crash that sounded like broken glass, followed by silence. Alex screamed Jill’s name into the phone, but it was dead.
Alex grabbed her car keys, dialed 9-1-1 on her cell phone, and ran down the stairs. She tried to remain calm, but her panic threatened to overcome her. She repeated Jill’s location three times to be sure the dispatche
