Bright Eyes by Catherine Anderson

Author:Catherine Anderson [Anderson, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Penguin Group USA, Inc.
Published: 2011-11-11T12:21:37+00:00

Chapter Eleven

The following morning, a frantic pounding on Natalie’s bedroom door interrupted her sleep. She jerked erect, blinked bewilderedly, and came instantly awake, thinking that something was wrong with one of the kids. “Come in!”

The portal opened. Her kimono hanging crooked from her shoulders, the sash barely knotted, Valerie stood in the doorway. “The cops,” she croaked, her eyes as round as nickels. “They’re at the front door, asking for you.”

“Who?”

“The cops. Holy Moses, Nattie, what did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything.” Natalie grabbed her robe and finger combed her hair as she hurried downstairs with Valerie at her heels. “Don’t be silly.”

“They look grim,” Valerie whispered. “Something’s really wrong.”

When Natalie entered the living room, she saw two police officers framed in the open doorway. Valerie had called it right. They stood on the front porch like navy bookends, not returning her smile as she moved toward them. She straightened her shoulders, trying to look innocent, which struck her as being the greatest absurdity of all. She hadn’t done anything. Right? Then a horrible thought hit her. If Robert had noticed the missing goblets, he would know who took them. What if he had pressed charges against her?

“Good morning, Officers. My sister says you want to speak to me?”

One policeman flashed his credentials. “Are you Natalie Patterson?”

“Yes.”

“Formerly Mrs. Robert Patterson?”

“Yes.” Natalie didn’t like the way the two men looked at her—as if she’d committed a heinous crime. “Did I forget to pay a parking ticket or something?”

“Something far more serious than that, I’m afraid,” the tall, thin officer said. “Brace yourself for sad news. Mr. Patterson was found dead in his garage at around midnight. Can you get dressed and come down to the station with us for a while? We’d like to ask you a few questions.”

All the blood rushed from Natalie’s head, and black spots danced in front of her eyes. She heard Valerie bleat in horror behind her.

“What?” Her body going watery with shock, Natalie held up a hand. “Would you—” She gulped and grabbed for breath. “What did you say?”

“Mr. Patterson was found dead in his garage last night,” the younger, stockier policeman repeated.

“Oh, my God,” Natalie whispered. “Oh, my God.” She turned to see Chad standing behind Valerie in the archway. The boy had turned as white as milk.

“Mom?” Chad said, his voice quivering.

Natalie sent a smoldering look at the policemen. “You’ll have to wait a few minutes. My son needs me.”

“Mom?” Chad said again. “Dad’s dead? How can he be dead?”

Natalie ran to catch her son in her arms. Over the top of his head, she met Valerie’s gaze. “Call Mom. Tell her I need her to come as quickly as she can.” As Valerie wheeled to run to the phone, Natalie began rocking her sobbing child. “It’s okay, sweetie. I’m here. You’re okay.”

From that moment forward, Natalie felt trapped in a fog. Nothing seemed real. She couldn’t make her brain function properly. This couldn’t be happening.

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