Part 227 (1/2)

”London then, to Bev. She'd want to help you.”

”No pa.s.sport. Drew locked it in a safe-deposit box. I don't even have

a driver's license. He tore it up.” She sat back because even the few

bites of food had made her queasy. ”Marianne, I have fifty-five dollars

in my purse-I stole fifteen of that from the housekeeping money. I

don't have any credit cards. He took them months ago. I have the

clothes on my back and that's it.”

Because she wanted to break something, Marianne rose and poured another

Grand Marnier. All this time, she thought. All this time she'd been

sulking in the loft, nursing hurt feelings while Emma had been going

through h.e.l.l.

”You don't have to worry about money. Your credit's good with me. I'll

get a cash advance on my credit card, then call and authorize them

to accept your signature. You can have your pick. Visa, MasterCard, or

American Express.”

”You must think I'm pathetic.”

”No, I think you're the best friend I've ever had.” Tears burned the

back of her eyes. Marianne let them fall. ”If I could, I'd kill him

for you.”

”You won't say anything, to anyone. Not yet.”

”Not if that's what you want. But I think your father should know.”

”No. Things are bad enough between me and Dad without adding this. I

think what I need most of all now is a little time. I thought about

going into the mountains somewhere, a cabin in the woods, but I don't

think I could stand the quiet. I want to lose myself in a big, noisy

city. I keep thinking of L.A. Every time I thought about running, I