Page 97 of No More Lies

Chapter 23

Diane was back in the basement with Melanie and Natasha. When she’d seen the picture of the cats and the china statue of a cat before she sat down in front of the fireplace, she knew they were the only way she could try and tell Steve where they were. She had no idea if it would work. She had been terrified Volkov would suspect she was up to something, but he hadn’t. He seemed far too focused on getting the video sent.

“Do you think he’s going to take us all to Russia?” Natasha asked. She had told them what Volkov had made her do.

Again she debated about whether to tell them about the sarin attack, but she knew she couldn’t. A terror attack was a matter of national security, and the only reason she knew was because her Special Ops husband had told her. In confidence. Instead, she shared what truth she could.

“From what I heard, he plans to leave Melanie here and drop me off somewhere on the way to Russia.”

“Perhaps he is going to do what he said then? Melanie goes free. He’s leaving you somewhere they will find you when we land in Russia.” Natasha sounded hopeful.

Diane glanced at Melanie. They both knew it was unlikely either of them would be set free. They had both seen and heard too much. With a knowing look of silent agreement, neither of them said anything. Natasha felt guilty enough. She didn’t need that on her conscience.

Standing up, Diane looked around.

“What are you looking for?” Melanie asked.

“A way out.”

“The locked door is the only way in and out.”

“What about the windows?”

“They’re too small. We’d never get through there.”

“I don’t know, we might. Or perhaps we can signal for help.” She walked to the boxes blocking one of the windows. Reaching up she started moving them. She couldn't just sit and wait for whatever Volkov had in store for her. She’d left Steve the note and she’d done her best to draw his attention to the cats, hoping he would work out her clue. He would come. The team would find them. She had to believe that.

In the meantime, she was going to do whatever she could to get out of this basement and find out where Volkov was holding Megan. She had to be in another room in this house. While she still had breath in her body, she would try and get to her daughter.

Without speaking, Melanie and Natasha joined her and together they cleared the boxes, exposing the window. The three of them stood looking at it.

“It’s bigger than I thought. Do you think we could squeeze through there?” Melanie asked.

“Is there a step stool or anything down here I can stand on?” Diane said. “We need to reach it first. See if we can open it.” She began looking around the basement. The three of them checked everywhere, but there were no ladders, or step stools. Lots of boxes, and a shelving rack, though, filled with everything from linens to paint supplies. Diane pulled on the shelving rack, but it was secured to the wall. There was nothing sturdy enough to stand on.

“What about the sofa? Maybe if we stand on the back?” Natasha said.

Diane nodded. It was a small low back sofa, but it was worth a shot. “Let’s try.”

Together they pushed the sofa underneath the window. Diane didn’t hesitate to climb up on the back. Her head was level with the glass. A small lever lock secured the window. She tried to slide it down to the open position, but it wouldn’t budge.

“Shit. It looks like this thing hasn’t been opened in years.” She went on tiptoes, straining to see outside. Disappointment flooded her. All she could see was grass. Apparently, Janssen’s house was not on a busy street. Refusing to give up, she glanced down at Melanie and Natasha.

“See if you can find any tools, or oil, or a knife. Anything I can use to try and free this lever.” The women rummaged through the shelving rack and boxes. As Diane waited, she looked outside again, trying to see down the side of the house, but all she could see was more grass.

“What about these?” Melanie held up a pair of pliers and a hammer.