One Last Time Read Online Free Page B

something?”
    I shake my head. “No, but maybe my friend Mike does. His mother is the one who dealt with him. She owns the catering service. Maybe Mike has some paperwork or something.”
    “Well, it’s a place to start.” She smiles again, patting my hand in reassurance.
    “How could it help?” Regina asks, lighting a cigarette. “He’s in the kitchen and we are stuck in here.”
    “He keeps his cell on him all the time.” The thought brings me hope. “Especially tonight ’cause Steffi left him in charge.”
    Austin Phinney pulls his cell out of his pocket and hands it to me. I key in Mike’s number, but nothing happens. It doesn’t ring and there is no recording, only silence. I try a few more times while everyone watches me. I can feel their stares, especially Quillan’s. My fingers tremble.
    “It’s not working,” I say, looking at no one. “I’ll try Steffi.” I key in her number and get the same results. A seed of fear takes root. I’ve had dreams like this before, stuck in a horrific situation, and no matter how many people I call for help, I can’t get a hold of anyone. Just when all hope is gone, I wake up. Not tonight. Tonight, I am trapped in a nightmare. “Nothing.” I hand the phone back to Austin.
    “I say we call 911,” Emma suggests. “After all, I would consider twelve people trapped inside a room an emergency.”
    Austin agrees and punches out 911. His expression reveals he’s getting the same results as me.
    “Maybe it’s the phone,” Emma says. “Tony, use yours.” Sighing, he pulls his cell out and tries the emergency number. A shake of his head seals our doom.
    “My God.” Phyl pulls on Jason’s arm. “I can’t even call to check on the children.”
    “I think we are overreacting here,” Jason announces with his positive-thinking attitude. No wonder he made a fortune in network marketing. “Maybe we should humor him and go on his treasure hunt. I think it might be our way out.”
    Everyone agrees, despite their previous refusal to participate. I don’t agree because I don’t want to play.
    Mary Elizabeth has gathered all the decorative candles sitting around the room and placed them on the table. “I think there’s enough for each of us to have one.” Her Texas drawl sounds much nicer than her husband Peter’s. “In any case, it will give us more light than we have now.” When the candles are lit, I notice an envelope lying on the table.
    “That wasn’t there before,” Quillan says, noticing it too. Grabbing it, I break the wax seal on the back and pull out a yellowed piece of aged parchment. The cursive writing appears old, faded, and is difficult to read. Austin and Brianna both move their candles in closer, helping me decipher the cryptic note.
     
    Fear not them that kill the body,
    But are not able to kill the soul
    But rather fear him who is able
    to destroy both soul and body in hell.
    You have until midnight…
    Only time will tell.
     
    “It’s from the Bible,” Tony announces, “I recognize the verse.”
    “That’s great, sweetheart.” Regina pours more wine into her goblet. “Can you explain what it means in relation to our predicament?”
    Tony leans over the table, closes his eyes, and pinches the bridge of his nose. He asks me to read it again. As far as I know, he’s the closest thing to a Bible scholar we have. So I read, slowing down my pace and enunciating each word, giving him a chance to decipher. When I finish, Quillan asks me for the note. I hand it to him. He folds it and places it inside his back pocket. His face is stern, hardening his features. He stares at me a few seconds. I’m drawn into his gaze as if I’m caught in quicksand, helpless to pull away. Why is he looking at me like that?
    “Time will tell.” Quillan quotes the final sentence. When he does, his countenance changes back to calm. “Let’s search the room for a clock.” With no better suggestions, everyone disperses throughout the room. With