The Christmas Thief & other stories by Mary Higgins Clark

Author:Mary Higgins Clark [Clark, Mary Higgins & Clark, Carol Higgins]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781471170171
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

13

Someone call an ambulance!” Mayor Steve shouted, as he lowered Duncan to the floor and unzipped his parka.

“I know what to do!” Muffy cried. “I was a lifeguard!” Dropping to her knees, she grabbed Duncan’s wrist and felt for his pulse. “His heart is still beating!” she announced dramatically.

Regan and Jack had been the first to spring from their chairs. “Muffy, see if he has a medical alert card in his wallet,” Regan suggested.

Duncan’s eyes flew open. “I’m okay!” he insisted. “I have no medical conditions. None whatsoever.” Cameras clicked nonstop as he tried to sit up. “Please! I’m fine. My leg hurts, that’s all.”

Glenda rushed to his side as photographers and reporters jostled for a good vantage point to catch the action. “Please stand back,” she urged, then looked at Steve. “Let’s get Duncan out of here.”

Jack and Steve lifted Duncan onto a chair, picked it up, and hurried him out of the parlor.

The hotel manager led the way to a guest room down the hall. “When the ambulance comes, I’ll send the paramedics in,” he said.

“I’ll be all right,” Duncan insisted. “My leg might need to be X-rayed. I’m thirsty and hungry and I want to call my girlfriend. Glenda, can I borrow your cell phone? I left mine home,” he said as Jack and Steve set down the chair and eased him onto the bed.

“I have it right here, Duncan. What’s her number?”

Duncan rattled it off then grabbed the phone from Glenda’s hand and held it to his ear. “Her voice mail is picking up,” he said, his tone frustrated and disappointed, then he dropped his voice. “Flower, I love you. I need to talk to you. I don’t have my cell phone with me . . .”

“Tell her to call mine,” Glenda said quickly, then gave him her number.

Duncan repeated it into the phone. “I’ll try you at work, Flower. I can’t wait to talk to you.” He hung up. “Glenda, do you mind if I call information? There’s a charge for it.”

Glenda smiled. “Don’t you realize I’m now a multimillionaire? And you are, too, Duncan.”

“Must be nice,” Mayor Steve said as he handed Duncan the glass of water he’d hurried to fill.

“I heard. No one ever had a better friend than you, Glenda,” Duncan said humbly. He then gulped every drop in the glass. “You’re the best.”

“That’s for sure,” Jack said with a laugh. “I doubt if I’ll ever make friends with someone who’s willing to share their millions with me.”

Duncan reached the day care center but frowned when he was told by Flower’s boss that she had taken the day off. “She did? I’m surprised she didn’t tell me. Okay then, I’ll wait to hear back from her.”

He hung up and then called and picked up the voice messages on his home and cell phones, smiling as he listened. “Aw, she couldn’t sleep last night,” he said softly. “I hope she calls me back soon.” He then dialed his parents and left a message. As he gave Glenda back her phone, he looked at Jack and Steve.

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