Part 248 (2/2)

me,” he said to Swan as he started out. He sat on the edge of his desk

and picked up the phone. ”Kesselring.”

”Michael? This is Marianne Carter. I'm a friend of Emma's.”

”Sure.” Annoyed by the interruption, he shoved a hand in his pocket for

a cigarette. ”You in town?”

”No. No, I'm in New York. I just got into the loft. I-somebody,

somebody wrecked it.”

He pressed his fingers to his tired eyes. ”I think you might be smarter

to call the local police. I can't get there for a few hours.”

She wasn't in the mood for sarcasm. ”I don't give a d.a.m.n about the

loft. It's Emma I'm worried about.”

”What does she have to do with it?”

”This place has been torn apart. Everything's slashed, cut up, broken.

It was Drew. I'm sure it was Drew. He probably has Emma's key.

I don't know how much she's told you, but he's violent. Really violent.

And I-”

”Okay. Calm down. The first thing you do is get out, go to a

neighbor's or a public place and call the police.”

”He's not here.” She hated herself for being so scattered she was unable

to make herself clear. ”I think he knows where she is, Michael. She

left a message on the machine this morning. If he was here when she

called, or he played it back, then he knows. I tried to call her, but

she didn't answer.”

”I'll take care of it. Get out of the loft and call the cops.” He hung

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