Double Bind Read Free Page A

face.

                Angela didn’t speak to Sarah until they were both in her car, and they were safely driving out of the parking complex.   Then, she turned to glare at Sarah, her mouth tight and angry.
                “What the hell were you thinking?”   Angela said.   “Why would you try to poison people?!”
                “What?” Sarah shouted back, twisting behind her seatbelt to face her friend.   “You don’t seriously think I did it, do you?”
                Angela looked unsure for a second, her eyes scanning Sarah’s face before returning to the road.   “You aren’t just trying to keep out of jail?”
                Sarah couldn’t believe it.   How was it possible that her friend thought she could do something so awful?   “Angela, I would never do something like that.   Why would I do something like that?”
                Angela glanced at Sarah, looking a little relieved.   “So, you really didn’t do it?   I mean, I know you’ve been frustrated with testing and -”
                “And so you thought I dumped poisonous chemicals into a water main?   Are you crazy?”   Sarah ran her hands through her short hair, noticing suddenly how messy it was.   “I’m frustrated because the tests are coming back bad.   How would killing thousands of people fix that?”
                “I don’t know.” Angela said.   “But whoever set you up did a good job of it.   You look really, really guilty.”
                Sarah slouched down in the chair.   “I don’t get how, either.   You’d think I would have noticed if someone was stealing my identity.”
                Angela shrugged.   “I don’t know either.   But, you’re out now, so we’ve just got to keep you out.”
                Sarah turned to smile at her friend.   “Thank you.”
                Angela smiled.   “Of course.   Anytime.   You know I’m here for you.”
                Sarah’s smile faded.   “I have a feeling I’m going to be needing your help a lot over the next couple of months.”
                “Yeah,”   Angela started to frown.   “But I’m sure the police will find the right guy.”
                “Are you kidding me?”   Sarah said.   “That detective was hell-bent on taking me out.   He’s positive it’s me.   Nothing is going to stop him.”
                Angela sighed.   “He’ll get over it sooner or later.   After all, if you are innocent, then they won’t find enough evidence to keep going anyway.”
                Sarah shook her head, suddenly worried about the thoughts in her head.   “I still don’t think that’s going to stop him.   You didn’t talk to him.   I really don’t think he’s going to give up.   Even if they find evidence of someone else, he’ll still think it’s me.”
                Angela waved a hand dismissively.   “You’re just feeling a little paranoid because you had such a lousy day.   Once we get you home, things are going to be better.”
                Sarah shook her head.   “No. I can’t let it go.   If I don’t do something, I’m going to wind up in jail!”
                Angela started to talk, but Sarah was starting to freak herself out.   “The police aren’t going to find the real people.   They won’t even be looking for other people or other proof.   They are just going to be looking for the things that were planted to make me look guilty.”
                Angela looked worriedly over at Sarah. “You can’t let it get to you.   Come on, they will figure it out.”
                “They won’t.”   Sarah looked over at her friend, worry on her face.   “Angela, I only have one choice.   I am going to have to prove that I am innocent.”   Angela paled as she spoke.   “I