The phone rang, the sound so abrupt and startling, Sam felt an instant rush of adrenaline.
Should I get it? Nina asked. She was standing in the doorway, her face drawn and tense.
He nodded. Answer it.
She crossed to the telephone. After a seconds hesitation, she picked up the receiver. He moved right beside her, listening, as she said, Hello?
No one answered.
Hello? Nina repeated. Who is this? Hello?
There was a click. Then, a moment later, the dial tone.
Nina looked up at Sam. She was standing so close to him, her hair, like black silk, brushed his face. He found himself staring straight into those wide eyes of hers, found himself reacting to her nearness with an unexpected surge of male longing.
This isnt supposed to happen. I cant let it happen.
He took a step back, just to put space between them. Even though they were now standing a good three feet apart, he could still feel the attraction. Not far enough apart, he thought. This woman was getting in the way of his thinking clearly, logically. And that was dangerous.
He looked down and suddenly noticed the telephone answering machine was blinking. He said, You have messages.
Pardon?
Your answering machine. Its recorded three messages.
Dazedly she looked down at the machine. Automatically she pressed the Play button.
There were three beeps, followed by three silences, and then dial tones.
Pardon?
Your answering machine. Its recorded three messages.
Dazedly she looked down at the machine. Automatically she pressed the Play button.
There were three beeps, followed by three silences, and then dial tones.
Seemingly paralyzed, she stared at the machine. Why? she whispered. Why do they call and hang up?
To see if youre home.
The implication of his statement at once struck her full force. She flinched away from the phone as if it had burned her. I have to get out of here, she said, and hurried back into the bedroom.
He followed her. She was tossing clothes into a suitcase, not bothering to fold anything. Slacks and blouses and lingerie in one disorganized pile.
Just the essentials, he said. Lets leave.
Yes. Yes, youre right. She whirled around and ran into the bathroom. He heard her rattling in the cabinets, collecting toiletries. A moment later she reemerged with a bulging makeup bag, which she tossed in the suitcase.
He closed and latched it for her. Lets go.
In the car, she sat silent and huddled against the seat as he drove. He kept checking the rearview mirror, to see if they were being followed, but he saw no other headlights. No signs of pursuit.
Relax, were okay, he said. Ill just get you to your dads house, and youll be fine.
And then what? she said softly. How long do I hide there? For weeks, months?
As long as it takes for us to crack this case.
She shook her head, a sad gesture of bewilderment. It doesnt make sense. None of this makes sense.
Maybe itll become clear when we talk to your fiancé. Do you have any idea where he might be?
It seems that Im the last person Robert wanted to confide in Hugging herself, she stared out the window. His note said he was leaving town for a while. I guess he just needed to get away. From me
From you? Or from someone else?
She shook her head. Theres so much I dont know. So much he never bothered to tell me. God, I wish I understood. I could handle this. I could handle anything. If only I understood.
What kind of man is Robert Bledsoe? Sam wondered. What kind of man would walk away from this woman? Leave her alone to face the danger left in his wake?
Whoever made that hang-up call may pay a visit to your house, he said. Id like to keep an eye on it. See who turns up.
She nodded. Yes. Of course.
May I have access?
You meanget inside?
If our suspect shows up, he may try to break in. Id like to be waiting for him.
She stared at him. You could get yourself killed.
Believe me, Miss Cormier, Im not the heroic type. I dont take chances.
But if he does show up
Ill be ready. He flashed her a quick grin for reassurance. She didnt look reassured. If anything, she looked more frightened than ever.
For me? he wondered. And that, inexplicably, lifted his spirits. Terrific. Next thing he knew, hed be putting his neck in a noose, and all because of a pair of big brown eyes. This was just the kind of situation cops were warned to avoid: assuming the role of hero to some fetching female. It got men killed.
It could get him killed.
You shouldnt do this by yourself, she said.
I wont be alone. Ill have backup.
Youre sure?
Yeah, Im sure.
You promise? You wont take any chances?
What are you, my mother? he snapped in exasperation.
She took her keys out of her purse and slapped them on the dashboard. No, Im not your mother, she retorted.
But youre the cop in charge. And I need you alive and well to crack this case.
He deserved that. Shed been concerned about his safety, and hed responded with sarcasm. He didnt even know why. All he knew was, whenever he looked in her eyes, he had the overwhelming urge to turn tail and run. Before he was trapped.
Moments later, they drove past the wrought iron gates of her fathers driveway. Nina didnt even wait for Sam to open her door. She got out of the car and started up the stone steps. Sam followed, carrying her suitcase. And ogling the house. It was huge even more impressive than Lydia Warrentons home, and it had the Rolls-Royce of security systems. Tonight, at least, Nina should be safe.