Part 21 (1/2)
”Let's see what the doctor says.”
”How's Sweet Thing?”
”She's fine. She'll be happy to see you.”
”Where's Sabina? She was here a while ago.”
”I told her she didn't have to stay, since I was here, so she left.”
”Oh. You met her then.” Daria sighed. ”She really is beautiful, isn't she? I mean, she's the cla.s.sic exotic dark-haired beauty with the smoldering eyes and the fabulous smile.”
”What? Oh, yes, she's pretty. She said to give her a call if you need anything. She also said she'd like to get together with you as soon as you're feeling better.” He reached into his pocket and took out a card and handed it to Daria. ”She left her phone number for you.”
”Thanks.” She took the card and closed her hand over it. ”Tell me what happened in the library.”
”As best we can piece things together, our man-the killer, or someone working with him-came into the library around eight-thirty last night. Disconnected the surveillance camera, somehow lured the guard into the bas.e.m.e.nt where he bashed him over the head and apparently left him for dead. We found him on the floor near the back door after the ambulance took you to the hospital.”
”His hands...?”
”He's a lucky man. He's still alive and in one piece. After that, the killer managed to get the few students who were in the library to leave-we're not sure yet how-but once everyone left, he removed the hard drive from the computer and smashed the machine. According to the two interns, they heard all of this, but didn't see the killer. When they heard Mrs. Weathers running up the steps screaming and heard the man running after her, they locked themselves in a supply closet under the stairs. That's where the police found them, huddled in the closet, scared out of their minds.”
”Where are they now?”
”On their way back to their homes. The police took their statements and let them leave with their parents about an hour ago.”
”Poor kids.”
”Smart kids. They'd have been added to the body count, if he'd known they were there.”
”There was supposed to be someone else there, wasn't there? A second librarian?”
”An a.s.sistant had been scheduled for last night, but she had car trouble and never did make it in,” he told her.
”He was still in the building, then, when we arrived,” Daria said softly.
”It looks that way. He was probably on his way out when we got there, most likely took the back steps down from the second floor when he heard us come in. The steps come down into a small hall behind the room you were in. He must have seen you there and figured he'd take you out before you could turn around and see him.”
”You think it was an accident? That he only attacked me because I happened to be there? You don't think he was after me, specifically?”
”Knowing that someone broke into your house the other day makes me inclined to say yes, he was after you specifically. But I think if he was going to kill you, he would have.”
”How would he have known I'd be in the library?”
”I don't think he did. I don't think he knew who you were. I think he just wanted to make sure you couldn't ID him.” He squeezed her hands and asked, ”Have you thought about maybe going back to your parents' place until we catch this guy?”
”No. If someone's going to come after me because of my connection to this, it won't matter where I am. If he went to Connecticut to get to his last victims, there's nothing to stop him from coming to South Carolina.”
”I'll send people with you. I'll make sure you're safe.”
”I won't put anyone in my family between me and him. I don't want them involved in any way.”
She tugged on his hand. ”Besides, you're here, right? You're not leaving Howe yet?”
”I'm not leaving until this b.a.s.t.a.r.d has been dealt with.” His eyes narrowed to dark blue slits. ”One way or another.”
”Because, if he comes back...well, next time, he might get lucky.”
”I'm afraid his luck has run out. He blew the only shot he's going to get at you.” He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. ”Believe it.”
”Ahem.” The figure in the doorway coughed before entering the room. ”Have I just ruined a moment?”
Connor looked over his shoulder. ”Yes. Go away.”
”Not on your life.” The tall dark-haired woman laughed and came in anyway.
He sighed. ”Daria, meet my cousin Mia s.h.i.+elds.”
”Hi.” Daria reached out to take the hand Mia offered.
”Good to meet you.” Mia smiled.
”When I said 'Come now,' I didn't mean right now,” Connor complained.
”Well, then, perhaps next time you could make that distinction before I drive two hours to answer your call for help.” Mia sat on the opposite side of Daria's bed from Connor. ”Isn't there someplace you need to be?”
”Yes.” He turned to Daria. ”I didn't have a chance to tell you I'd asked Mia to drive up and hang out with you while I tend to a few things.”
”By hang out, you mean babysit,” Daria said flatly.
”No, no,” Mia said before Connor could open his mouth. ”There are no babysitters in our family. Armed companions, when the situation calls for it, but no babysitters.”
”There are some things I need to do. I can't leave you without protection, whether you're here or at the house.”
”There's a policeman outside the door, isn't there?” Daria asked.
”Yes. And I'm sure he's competent. But he isn't...he isn't one of mine. And right now, I need one of my own with you. Someone I trust.”
”Why, Connor, that's one of the nicest things you've ever said to me.” Mia put a hand over her heart. ”I'm truly touched.”
”On the other hand, if her sarcasm becomes too much for you, you can boot her a.s.s out and bring the cop back.”
”I'm sure we'll be fine.” Daria smiled. ”Thank you for being concerned about me. And thank you, Mia, for coming here on short notice.”
”You're welcome. And much more gracious than Con.” Mia turned to him. ”See? We'll be fine. You can go...do what you were going to do.”
Connor stood and leaned over Daria and placed a kiss on her forehead, then hesitated before placing another on one side of her mouth.