Then, gradually, an awareness of discomfort seeped through the layers of shock. Her chest hurt, and her shoulder. It was the seat belt. It had saved her life, but it had also bruised her ribs.
Groaning, she pressed the belt release and felt herself collapse forward, against the steering wheel.
Hey! Hey, lady!
Nina turned to see a face anxiously peering through the window. It was an elderly man. He yanked open her door. Are you all right? he asked.
Im I think so.
Id better call an ambulance.
No, Im fine. Really, I am. She took a deep breath. Her chest was sore, but that seemed to be her only injury. With the old mans help, she climbed out of the car. Though a little unsteady, she was able to stand. She was shocked by the damage.
Her car was a mess. The drivers door had been bashed in, the window was shattered, and the front fender was peeled off entirely.
She turned and glanced toward the road. There was another car, she said. A black one
You mean that damn fool who tried to pass you?
Where is it?
Took off. You oughta report that fella. Probably drunk as a skunk.
Drunk? Nina didnt think so. Shivering, she hugged herself and stared at the road, but she saw no sign of another car.
The black Ford had vanished.
Three
Gordon Gillis looked up from his burger and fries. Anything interesting? he asked.
Not a damn thing. Sam hung his jacket up on the coatrack and sank into a chair behind his desk, where he sat wearily rubbing his face.
Hows the minister doing?
Fine, so far. Doctors doubt its a heart attack. But theyll keep him in for a day, just to be sure.
He didnt have any ideas about the bombing?
Claims he has no enemies. And everyone I talked to seems to agree that Reverend Sullivan is a certifiable saint. Groaning, Sam leaned back. How bout you?
Gillis peeled off the hamburger wrapper and began to eat as he talked. I interviewed the best man, the matron of honor and the florist. No one saw anything.
What about the church janitor?
Were still trying to locate him. His wife says he usually gets home around six. Ill send Cooley over to talk to him.
According to Reverend Sullivan, the janitor opens the front doors at 7:00 a.m. And the doors stay open all day. So anyone couldve walked in and left a package.
What about the night before? asked Gillis. What time did he lock the doors?
The church secretary usually locks up. Shes a part-timer. Wouldve done it around 6:00 p.m. Unfortunately, she left for vacation this morning. Visiting family in Massachusetts. Were still trying to get hold of He paused.
Gilliss telephone was ringing. Gillis turned to answer it. Yeah, whats up?
Sam watched as his partner scribbled something on a notepad, then passed it across the desk. Trundy Point Road was written on the paper.
A moment later, Gillis said, Well be there, and hung up. He was frowning.
What is it? asked Sam.
Report just came in from one of the mobile units. Its about the bride. The one at the church today.
Nina Cormier?
Her car just went off the road near Trundy Point.
Her car just went off the road near Trundy Point.
Sam sat up straight in alarm. Is she all right?
Shes fine. They wouldnt have called us at all, but she insisted they notify us.
For an accident? Why?
She says it wasnt an accident. She says someone tried to run her off the road.
HER RIBS HURT, her shoulder was sore, and her face had a few cuts from flying glass. But at least her head was perfectly clear. Clear enough for her to recognize the man stepping out of that familiar blue Taurus that had just pulled up at the scene. It was that sullen detective, Sam Navarro. He didnt even glance in her direction.
Through the gathering dusk, Nina watched as he spoke to a patrolman. They conversed for a few moments. Then, together, the two men tramped through the underbrush to view the remains of her car. As Sam paced a slow circle around the battered Honda, Nina was reminded of a stalking cat. He moved with an easy, feline grace, his gaze focused in complete concentration. At one point he stopped and crouched to look at something on the ground. Then he rose to his feet and peered more closely at the drivers window. Or what was left of the window. He prodded the broken glass, then opened the door and climbed into the front seat. What on earth was he looking for? She could see his dark hair bobbing in and out of view. Now he seemed to be crawling all over the interior, and into the back seat. It was a good thing she had nothing to hide in there. She had no doubt that the sharp-eyed Detective Navarro could spot contraband a mile away.
At last he reemerged from her car, his hair tousled, his trousers wrinkled. He spoke again to the patrolman. Then he turned and looked in her direction.
And began to walk toward her.
At once she felt her pulse quickening. Something about this man both fascinated and frightened her. It was more than just his physical presence, which was impressive enough. It was also the way he looked at her, with a gaze that was completely neutral. That inscrutability unnerved her. Most men seemed to find Nina attractive, and they would at least make an attempt to be friendly.