She took a deep breath and picked up the receiver.
"O'Connell Clinic."
"Where's the rest of my money?"
Always that hate-filled growl demanding more money.
"I've given you the last penny you'll see from me. I don't owe you anything."
"Your beloved Da owes us another fifty-thousand dollars. He's dead. That leaves his whelp, Doctor."
She heard the scraping sound of something gritty on metal. Was he sharpening a knife? Was he just trying to mess with her mind? Leave me alone, please, just leave me alone.
Swallowing past the lump in her throat, Kate tried to bite back the raw fear running rampant through her thoughts. "I don't have any more. That's the last penny." God, she hated the way her voice shook.
"Maybe I should pay your daughter's class a visit. I wonder what Allaina's screams will sound like when I start peeling the skin off her fingers. One at a time."
"Leave my daughter out of this. I can't get more money until I sell the house. I can't--"
"Two days or I'll leave her brains splattered all over the classroom walls."
The line went dead.
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