Whyd that taxi guy want your pants?
Her gaze jerked to meet the boys puzzled one. What?
The whole time in the taxi, he kept thinking hed like to get in your pants. I dont see why. They wouldnt fit him, would they?
A sheerly feminine response had her sending a fuming glance after the taxi, which was already driving away. Then reaction set in and closed like a fist around her throat. It took more effort than it should have to to keep her voice calm. Remember what youre learning about not walking around in other peoples heads?
He looked down and scuffed one foot along the floor. Yeah. But I didnt walk right in. It was more like he left the door open. I couldnt help seeing his thoughts when they were spilling out all over the place, could I?
She studied the boy, little more than a baby really. The feeling of helplessness threatening to swamp her was all too familiar. Her sister, Sandra, had never mentioned Dannys father, but the boy was blond like his mother, like Meghan herself. Perhaps hed gotten his coloring from her sister. Certainly hed inherited Sandras psychic ability. The same ability shed alternately ignored or exploited all her life.
She pushed away the accompanying flash of guilt and kept her voice firm. You have to try. No mind games, all right?
He nodded, his head still bent. Telepathic would be the best description of the infant ability hed inherited from his mother, but Sandra had always called it mind games, as if the mental raids shed made into other peoples heads had been playful entertainment for all involved. As if her gift hadnt turned their childhood into a war zone.
As if it hadnt ended up getting Sandra killed.
When her doorbell sounded the next afternoon, Meghan glanced at the clock, faintly surprised by the hour. Her schedule had undergone major adjustments since Danny had come to live with her. The only time she had in her home studio were the hours he was at school. Every minute was precious, especially with a deadline looming for her next project. But it was almost time for Callie, who lived down the hall, to drop Danny off. She must be running a little early.
The bell rang again before Meghan reached the door and pulled it open. Boy, youre eager to get rid of him today. Dont tell me he The rest of the words died in her throat as she found herself face-to-face with two men; one a stranger and the other all too familiar.
This is Detective Madison, Miss Patterson. Her gaze flying to Connallys, Meghan knew she hadnt imagined the slight inflection hed given her name. The smile he gave her was humorless. And Im going to assume you remember my name, even though you had a little difficulty with your own yesterday.
Her palms went damp, and she barely resisted an urge to wipe them on her loose-fitting shirt. The force of his presence struck her anew. His eyes were hard and inscrutable. They seemed to drill through her, effortlessly shredding all pretense, all subterfuge. Somehow shed never imagined that Connally would bother to go to the trouble of finding her. Of finding Danny.
It was that thought that had tension gripping her muscles. Her chin angled up and she met his gaze. Being a detective, you should have concluded that I gave you a false name yesterday because I wanted to avoid just this kind of harassment.
Being a detective, Connally countered, I get kinda suspicious when people go to such lengths to avoid talking to me. We had to trace you through the cab company you used.
Meghan set her lips, but remained silent. She wasnt sure what kind of tack to take with the detective. Defiance didnt seem to work. Nor had her phony compliance yesterday. He didnt appear to be a man who gave up easily. In contrast to his partners lived-in face, with its homely charm, this mans features could have been carved from granite. She was beginning to believe that he had a will to match.
Surreptitiously, she glanced at her watch. Danny would be home in minutes. It was imperative that she get rid of the detectives before then.
Im afraid I dont have much time. Even as she spoke, Connally seemed to loom closer, and she retreated in immediate, involuntary response. Then somehow the men were standing inside her doorway, although shed had no intention of letting them in. She thought she caught a flash of satisfaction in Connallys pale eyes before he closed the door behind him, and the sight of it stiffened her spine.
Her gaze swung to Detective Madison, who was speaking for the first time. Sorry for the interruption. You didnt answer your buzzer, but the super told us that he hadnt seen you go out today. He let us in.
With a firmer grip on her composure now, Meghan pasted a polite smile on her face. Im afraid Detective Connally has wasted your time. I already told him yesterday that I hadnt seen anything while I was at the toy store.
Its real important that we find the man were tracing, maam. Madisons voice had a placating quality that his partners lacked. You left Favorite Things kind of suddenly last night. We just wanted to follow up to see if maybe youd remembered something since then.
Mind telling us why you were in such a hurry to get away? Connallys gaze was directed above her head as he surveyed her apartment, before focusing once more on her.
She forced a casual shrug. Id arranged for the driver to come back for us. You know what its like to find a cab at that time of day.
Thats sure a fact, isnt it? Detective Madisons tone was understanding. Last week I tried to take my wife out for a nice dinner and we had a devil of a time getting a taxi back home. She said it would have been more relaxing to stay in and cook.
His easy manner should have disarmed her. There was something comfortable about the man, like a rumpled set of clothes kept long after theyd gone out of style. His thinning sandy-colored hair was brushed back from a broad forehead, and his slightly rounded shoulders made him seem smaller than his partner, although they were probably both over six feet. But the friendliness in his voice, in his pale-gray eyes, didnt eliminate her wariness. In her experience all cops wanted something. And some would go to deadly lengths to get it.
Did you buy anything last night? At the question she shifted her attention to observe Connally strolling around her living room. It looked like an unusual place. I guess kids go nuts for that kind of thing.
No, I didnt. And as I told you yesterday, I didnt notice the man you were looking for while I was in the store, either. Sorry I cant be of more help to you. Although her words were meant to bring a close to the conversation, neither of the men made a move to leave.
What about the boy?
The words hung in the air like leaden crystals suspended from a chandelier. She didnt answer; couldnt. Protecting Danny was her job now. And the threat these two men posed was nauseating in its familiarity. She wouldnt allow him to be used as his mother had been. She wouldnt risk his life the way Sandra had so carelessly risked her own.
When silence stretched, Madison said, Detective Connally said you had a small boy with you, Miss Patterson. Maybe he saw something.
My nephew was with me, yes. But hes only five. He isnt going to be of any help, either, Im afraid.
The two men exchanged a glance. Wed still like to talk to him. Could you arrange that? Connallys words may have been couched as a request, but they were delivered in a voice accustomed to giving orders. And having them obeyed.