Daddy's Little Girl by Mary Higgins Clark

Author:Mary Higgins Clark [Clark, Mary Higgins]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2010-04-21T07:31:21+00:00

26

AT NINE-FIFTEEN, fed and feeling somewhat better, I turned the car off the street and onto Mrs. Hilmer's property. Her house was in darkness, and the light at the door of the garage made for a feeble welcome.

I brought the car to a sudden stop. Something was urging me to turn around, to go to an inn or motel and spend the night there. I simply hadn't realized how insecure I would feel here tonight. I'll leave tomorrow, I thought. One more night here won't be so bad.

As soon as I'm in the apartment, I'll be all right.

Of course, even that rationalization didn't make sense. While I was having dinner with Mrs. Hilmer the other evening, someone had been in the apartment. But somehow I didn't think I would find anyone waiting for me there now. My current sense of uneasiness came more from the prospect of being alone outside, so near the woods, if only for a few moments.

I turned the headlights on bright and drove slowly down the driveway. I had been carrying the duffel bag containing the trial transcript, newspapers, and my mother's jewelry in the trunk of the car all day. When I left the restaurant, I moved the bag from the trunk to the front seat so that once back at the apartment I wouldn't have to stand outside while I retrieved it.

Now I carefully scanned the area around the garage. There was no one there.

I took a deep breath, picked up the duffel bag, got out of the car, and hurried the few steps to the door.

Before I could insert the key in the lock, a car roared down the driveway and screeched to a stop. A man jumped out and lunged at me.

I stood frozen, sure I was about to see Rob Westerfield's face and hear the giggle-like sound he'd made as I was kneeling over Andrea's body.

But then a flashlight shone on me, and as he came closer, I could see that the man was wearing a uniform and that it was Officer White.

"I was given to understand that you'd moved, Ms. Cavanaugh," he said, his tone decidedly unfriendly. "What are you doing here?"

24 after a few awkward moments as I explained why I hadn't moved out yet, I insisted that Officer White come up to the apartment and phone Mrs. Hilmer at her granddaughter's house. I had left the number on a sheet of paper next to the computer. He made the call, then put me on with her.

"I'm so embarrassed, Ellie," she said. "I asked Officer White to have the police keep an eye on the house while I was away, and I told him you were leaving, but he certainly should have taken your word that you were still my guest."

You're absolutely right, I thought, but what I said was "He's right to be careful, Mrs. Hilmer." I didn't tell her that, rude as he'd been, I was actually very pleased he was here. It meant I didn't have to enter the apartment alone, and after he left, I would bolt the door.

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