“Katie! Listen to me. No one is going to blame you. I would kick their asses if they do.” Alexis placed her palm on Katie’s cheek. “I won’t let you go through this alone.” Katie collapsed into Alexis’s arms and closed her eyes as Alexis dialed the police.
* * * *
“What’s going on,” Lynn asked when Alexis stepped into Calista’s bedroom. Calista had fallen asleep in Lynn’s arms while watching Sleeping Beauty, but Lynn was still wide awake.
“The crime scene is finishing up in the living room and Katie’s in the bathroom. Lynn, we can’t stay here.” Alexis crossed the floor, stepping over the Barbie dolls and teddy bears scattered across Calista’s bedroom. “That box…It was meant for you, not Katie.”
“What!” Lynn fought the urge to set bolt right, but she did not want to wake Calista. “How do you…”
“There was a note attached. It said ‘Katie was fun, but…’” Alexis inhaled before continuing, “‘But Lynn will be so much…sweeter to claim.’”