Wait Until Dark by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780671036553
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published: 2001-02-15T05:00:00+00:00

“If I’d known Buck was gone I’d have come for you myself,” declared Eileen Rivers the next morning, setting a platter of warm blueberry muffins in front of her daughter. “I certainly hope you’re remembering to lock the library up tight.”

Addie poked at her scrambled eggs, her mother’s words barely registering as she daydreamed out the expansive picture window. Images of the man she’d met in the kitchen last night, and his disturbing effect on her, interfered with her wandering view of the farm’s meadows and creek.

“You’re really getting paranoid, Mom. Relax, for heaven’s sake,” she murmured, but suffered a fleeting pang of guilt at the memory of the keys she’d forgotten at the library.

Her reverie drifted across the broad creek and frost-covered meadows and found the distant red and gold peaks of the Allegheny Mountains shimmering in the early morning sun.

“I think the death of two good friends in the last year is enough to make anyone worry.”

Addie sighed, and finally gave full attention to her mother.

“Laurel’s drowning was an accident, and Janelle was in Marysville when she disappeared. Who knows? She may have gotten bored with teaching first grade and run away to Tahiti or something. None of it puts me in any danger. Besides, I have Coffee to protect me.”

“You can make fun if you want, but they’re still investigating Laurel’s so-called accident. She never went swimming alone, and she had marks around her neck indicating she might have been strangled.”

Addie’s stomach turned. “Mom, please, must we talk about this? It’s a beautiful morning, and I’d rather remember Laurel alive and happy.”

Her mother sniffed. “Sorry, dear, but I really think Joe should call in some superior help for the investigation of Laurel’s death. And you know perfectly well that Janelle didn’t run off to Tahiti. Wishful thinking, Adelaide Rivers. They found signs of a struggle and traces of her blood in the apartment and her car. Don’t you think it’s more than coincidence that two members of a book group in this rural area have disappeared?”

Addie sighed again. “No, Mom, I don’t. Laurel was an accident, and Janelle must have met the wrong person.”

“The Real Crime magazine I read last night said those monsters usually form a pattern and don’t break it. I don’t think two members gone from the same book group within a year is a coincidence. And,” she said, pausing for dramatic effect, “this monster evidently likes bookish women with dark-brown hair—like yours. I’m just happy Buck escorts you home at night.”

“Yes, Mom, Buck is always there. I can always depend on good ol’ Buck.” Addie tossed her hair in self-irritation. “And, by the way, just because I’m a writer and a librarian doesn’t make me bookish. I’ve got to get going.”

She finished her muffin, gulped the last of her coffee, and got to her feet.

“Where’s our new guest?” she asked, with an attempt at casualness.

“It was late when he arrived so I told him he could come down for breakfast whenever he woke up.

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