Part 11 (2/2)
”Aren't you listening to what I'm saying?” she yelled.
”Every word, my love. This dinner is delicious. You're a great cook.”
”How can I fight you, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d, if you won't fight back?”
He took a mouthful of veal. ”It's because I love you, darling.”
The telephone rang. ”Excuse me.” He got up and picked up the receiver. ”h.e.l.lo .. . Yes...Put her through... Miss Patterson?” He could hear her sobbing.
”Something-something terrible has happened. You've got to come over here right away.”
”I'm on my way.”
Serena got to her feet. ”What? ”What? You're going out? We're in the middle of dinner!” You're going out? We're in the middle of dinner!”
”It's an emergency, darling. I'll be back as soon as I can.” She watched him strap on his gun. He leaned over and kissed her. ”Wonderful dinner.”
Ashley opened the door for him the instant he arrived. Her cheeks were tear stained. She was s.h.i.+vering.
Sam Blake stepped into the apartment, looking around warily.
”Is anyone else here?”
”S-someone was was here.” She was fighting for self-control. ”L-look...” She led him to the bathroom. here.” She was fighting for self-control. ”L-look...” She led him to the bathroom.
Deputy Blake read the words on the mirror out loud: ”You will die.”
He turned to Ashley. ”Do you have any idea who could have written that?”
”No,” Ashley said. ”This is my apartment. No one else has a key... And someone has been coming in here... Someone's been following me. Someone's planning to kill me.” She burst into tears. ”I can't s-stand this any longer.”
She was sobbing uncontrollably. Deputy Blake put his arm around her and patted her shoulder. ”Come on. It's going to be all right. We'll give you protection, and we'll find out who's behind this.”
Ashley took a deep breath. ”I'm sorry. I-I don't usually carry on like this. It's-it's just been horrible.”
”Let's talk,” Sam Blake said.
She managed to force a smile. ”All right.”
”How about a nice cup of tea?”
They sat talking over cups of hot tea. ”When did all this start, Miss Patterson?”
”About-about six months ago. I felt I was being followed. At first it was just a vague feeling, but then it began to grow. I knew knew I was being followed, but I couldn't see anyone. Then at work, someone got into my computer and drew a picture of a hand with a knife in it trying to-to stab me.” I was being followed, but I couldn't see anyone. Then at work, someone got into my computer and drew a picture of a hand with a knife in it trying to-to stab me.”
”And do you have any idea who it could have been?”
”No.”
”You said someone has gotten into this apartment before today?”
”Yes. Once, someone turned on all the lights when I was gone. Another time I found a cigarette b.u.t.t on my dressing table. I don't smoke. And someone opened a drawer and went through my .. . my underwear.” She took a deep breath. ”And now...this.”
”Do you have any boyfriends who might feel rejected?”
Ashley shook her head. ”No.”
”Have you had any business dealings where somebody's lost money because of you?”
”No.”
”No threats from anyone?”
”No.” She thought of telling him about the lost weekend in Chicago, but that might involve mentioning her father. She decided to say nothing.
”I don't want to be alone here tonight,” Ashley said.
”All right. I'll call the station and have them send someone here to-”
”No! Please! I'm afraid to trust anyone else. Could you stay here with me, just until morning?”
”I don't think I-”
”Oh, please.” She was trembling.
He looked into her eyes and thought he had never seen anyone so terrified.
”Isn't there someplace you could stay tonight? Don't you have any friends who-?”
”What if it's one of my friends who's doing this?”
He nodded. ”Right. I'll stay. In the morning, I'll arrange for twenty-four-hour protection for you.”
”Thank you.” Her voice was filled with relief.
He patted Ashley's hand. ”And don't worry. I promise you that we'll get to the bottom of this. Let me call Sheriff Dowling and tell him what's going on.”
He spoke on the phone for five minutes, and when he hung up, he said, ”I'd better call my wife.”
”Of course.”
Deputy Blake picked up the telephone again and dialed. ”h.e.l.lo, darling. I won't be home tonight, so why don't you watch some tel-?”
”You won't what? what? Where are you, with one of your cheap wh.o.r.es?” Where are you, with one of your cheap wh.o.r.es?”
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