Part 5 (1/2)
”Okay,” she said. ”You've convinced me. Let's get the h.e.l.l out of here. Just let me get some clothes--”
He caught her elbow. ”Annie, we don't have time for you to pack a great many items. Do you own a weapon'”
”You mean a gun' No.”
”That is unfortunate. Is there any way of obtaining one'”
”I don't think so. I'd have to get a license, I think. It would take quite a bit of time. There's a waiting
period or something. And I don't have a clue how to handle a gun, anyway.”
James sighed. ”I had been given to understand your era was riddled with violence.”
”Less so than yours, apparently,” she said, not bothering to keep the acid out of her tone.
”Perhaps you are right,” he admitted. ”Very well. Bring nothing but necessities and take no more than
five minutes to get ready.”
She remembered the woman who'd aimed the gun at them, that eerie flash of light, and the burn mark on her car, and nodded. ”Okay. And maybe we'd better take Steve's car. My other car, I mean. Someone's bound to see that weird burn mark and wonder about it. Anyway, once the cops find that green sedan and a.n.a.lyze it, they'll be looking for a car with sc.r.a.pe marks and paint that matches the other car's damage. Hit and run is a felony, you know.”
”A felony' What is a felony'”
”Bad news,” Annie said succinctly.
”Something to be avoided, then. I see. At any rate, the Bureau will be on the lookout for the car they have already seen us in. Driving another car may help confuse them.”
Annie nodded as she headed up the stairs with James on her heels. ”But where do you want to go' A hotel'”
”Somewhere safe. The more public the better. They are reluctant to pursue me in public, because it raises questions that cannot be answered. That is why she waited until we were alone on that deserted road, rather than attempting to capture me in the mall.”
Annie thought for a long moment, then nodded grimly. ”I think I may know just the place.”
Kay's condo was dark when they entered. Turning on the light didn't help much. The condo was decorated in a very modern style, with black leather-upholstered chairs, dark tables, and a charcoal-gray carpet. The living room was almost painfully clean, in sharp contrast to the cheerful clutter of Annie's house. There was no dust to be seen on any surface, and surprisingly little indication that a baby lived here. Annie stepped inside, closed the door, and carefully locked and bolted it.
”We should be safe enough here,” she said. ”There's a doorman. He won't let strangers inside the building. Are you sure no one followed us'”
James gazed around at his new surroundings with interest. ”Absolutely. I observed the road most carefully.” Majestic and graceful as a lion, he paced across the living room carpet and observed the framed photographs on the mantel. After a moment's study he picked up one depicting a slim, laughing woman with long auburn hair. ”This is you.”
”Yes. That's me in college. Kay has been my best friend since then.”
”You have hardly changed at all.”
Annie shrugged. She knew she'd changed a great deal in the ten years since she'd graduated from college, but most of the changes were internal. ”Thanks.”
”It was not a compliment, merely an observation of fact.” He placed the photo back on the mantel and picked up a silver-framed one, frowning slightly. ”Who is this'”
Annie walked over and looked at it. ”That's a new one. It's her son, Clark.”
”Clark'”
”Clark Nicholas Sterling. A big name for such a little guy. I swear, she takes enough pictures of that kid to keep the film industry in business single handedly.” James' eyes narrowed as he stared at her. For a long moment he seemed struck dumb. At last he said, ”She has a baby'”
”Yeah. He was kind of an accident, and she doesn't have much contact with Clark's father, but she adores Clark. He's named after me.”
”After you'”
”Clark was my maiden name,” Annie explained. She looked at the picture, and a faint, wistful smile curved her mouth. ”He's cute, isn't he'”
She was abruptly aware that her expression and tone had given away more than she intended. James was studying her curiously. She turned and walked away hastily, plopping down on the couch.
”Annie,” he said quietly.
”What'”
”Why don't you have children'”
She crossed her arms and glared up at him defensively. ”Maybe in the future everyone uses petri dishes, but here it takes a man to sire a baby.”
”But you were married.”
His gentle concern slashed at old, half-closed wounds. She blinked hard. ”We didn't get around to
having children. I thought--” She paused, then said in a hoa.r.s.e voice, ”I thought we had forever. I guess I was wrong.”
”I am sorry.”
”It's all right.” Annie stood up briskly, brus.h.i.+ng at her cheeks and hoping he didn't see the hasty motion. ”I'd better go find Oscar.”
”Who'”
”Kay's cat.” She strode quickly from the room, finding Oscar exactly where she expected him. The huge gray cat was a creature of habit, and at this time of day he was invariably in the study, curled up on Kay's black leather office chair. He opened an eye, looked at her, and purred.
”Hi, Oscar,” she said, giving his head an affectionate rub. She had never been a cat person, but Oscar wasn't merely a cat--he was better company than most people, if not a fabulous conversationalist. He lifted his head and rubbed against her hand, rumbling contentedly. Then he stiffened, his unblinking green eyes fixed on the door.