of time together, both socially and professionally.'
'He is a smart man,' Greta said. Those clear eyes stared at Carol and a smile played at the corner of Greta's lips. What is she trying to tell me?
The conversation was interrupted by the sound of a sharp alarm. Carol knew immediately that something had gone wrong. 'What in the world is that?' Carol asked innocently as the strident alarm continued with its loud bursts.
Homer and Greta were already up from the table. 'Excuse us,' Homer said, 'it's our burglar alarm. Probably an error. We'll go check it out.'
They hurried out of the dining room, leaving Carol and Ellen alone, and headed down a nearby hallway. I must follow them and find out what's going on, Carol thought, her heart and mind racing together. She sneaked a peek at her watch. It was five minutes past ten o'clock. They should have finished by now. 'I'm going to the rest room,' she said to Ellen. 'Don't bother,' she added, as Ellen started to explain the directions. 'I'm sure I can find it myself.'
Carol walked quickly into the hall and listened for sounds of Homer and Greta. Moving very quietly, she followed them until she was just outside a large den on the opposite side of the house. The door to the den was ajar. 'It will focus in a second,' she heard Homer say. There was a pause. 'Shit,' he shouted, 'it looks like the gold bars are already gone. They must have moved very fast ... The picture is really not very clear. Here, you take a look.'
'Ya,' said Greta. 'The bars are gone, I think ... But Homer, the gold would be very heavy. Maybe the thieves are trapped in the tunnel ... Timmy could search for them.'
'That would fix the bastards,' Homer's nervous laugh sent chills down Carol's spine. She back pedaled slowly until she had retreated to the main foyer of the house. She heard an outside door slam in the direction of the den. They've gone out to turn the sharks loose. Jesus. I must warn Nick and Troy.
Carol walked into the nearest bathroom in the hallway, pushed the door closed, and turned on the water faucet. Then she flushed the commode and untaped the small walkie-talkie that was hidden inside her shirt. She put the unit right next to her mouth. 'Mayday, mayday,' she said. 'They know you're there. You are in danger.' She repeated the message and then pushed the button that would automatically recycle the communication several more times. I certainly hope this damn thing works, she thought.
She started to affix the tiny unit to the inside of her blouse again. While she was taping it down, she happened to look in the mirror. Her heart nearly stopped. Ellen was standing in the doorway, staring at her, the baleful glare in her eyes indicating that she had seen and heard everything. She took a step toward Carol.
'Just hold it right there, Ellen,' Carol said. Carol put her hands up. 'I have no quarrel with you.' The fat woman hesitated. 'Homer and Greta only use you anyway,' Carol added softly, 'why don't you leave them and make a life for yourself?'
Anger broke across Ellen's face. Her eyes narrowed, her cheeks reddened, and she raised her huge fists to threaten Carol. 'It's none of your damn business how I live my life,' she said menacingly. She moved again in Carol's direction.
Carol grabbed the thick metal towel rack beside her and pulled with all her might. The bar sprung free from the wall, dumping two peach bath towels and a wooden end piece on the linoleum floor. Carol brandished the bar over her head. 'Don't make me hit you,' she said. 'Just move aside and get out of my way.'
Ellen did not slow down. Carol aimed carefully and struck her hard, on the right shoulder. The heavy woman collapsed.
'Greta,' she wailed in a monstrous voice, 'Greta, help me.'
Still waving the bar from the towel rack, Carol walked carefully around Ellen and backed toward the door. Once in the hall, she sprinted to the family room and headed for the front door. Right beside the wet bar she was tackled from behind. Carol fell forward, hard, and smashed her nose on the carpet. She tried to squirm out of Greta's arms but it was impossible. She was pinned. A few drops of blood trickled out of Carol's nose and fell on the carpet.
Both women were breathing heavily. Carol managed to