Dangerous Secrets by L. L. Bartlett, Kelly McClymer, Shirley Hailstock, C. B. Pratt Read Free Book Online Page B

out, it′ll be a great
portfolio piece.″
    Her frown turned into a tentative smile. ‶ Then
you′re serious about photography?″
    ‶ It′s more of a career
than tending bar. This job is a first step, but photography′s a long-term
goal. Right now, I feel that Richard needs to be here.″
    She looked thoughtful. ‶ Are you sure
you′re not just feeling insecure? You were independent for a long time,
and you′ve had to rely on Richard a lot this past year. He′s been
almost like a parent to you.″
    ‶ Don′t think I
haven′t considered it.”
    I thought I′d bounce back a lot quicker
from the mugging six months before. A residual effect of the fractured skull
was crippling headaches that often plagued me. I hadn′t had a really bad
one in over a week, which was a record for me. But I′d also noticed that
when my haphazard insights kicked in, the headaches followed with a vengeance.
    Maggie touched my hand and dug into her purse
for her cell phone setting it on the table. ‶ Eat up. Then go call
him.″
    I nodded, thankful she′d accepted the
idea so gracefully.
    ‶ Besides, it′ll be great
to go shopping with Brenda. We could hit the outlets in Rutland while Richard
and you do whatever it is you—″
    ‶ No. He can′t bring
Brenda.″
    ‶ Why not?″
    I couldn′t explain why I wanted Richard
to come—let alone why he should leave Brenda at home. ‶ I ... it
wouldn′t be good for her.″
    She looked around the room before speaking. ‶ Are
you saying she wouldn′t fit in because she′s black?″
    ‶ No, nothing like that. I just
get the feeling she should stay in Buffalo. You know, keep the home fires
burning. Something like that.″
    Maggie frowned, the disappointment in her eyes
inescapable. Luckily the waitress arrived with our food. We ate in silence.
    Maggie was still working on her entree when I
excused myself and headed for the restaurant’s entryway. I dialed and glanced
at my watch: 7:30. Richard answered on the second ring.
    ‶ Hey, Maggie, what′s
up?″
    ‶ It’s me. I forgot to bring my
charger, so I’m using Maggie’s phone. And not much is up. How′re
you?″
    ‶ Fine.″ A long pause
ensued. ‶ Jeff,
what′s wrong?″
    The moment of truth.
    ‶ Rich, can you come to
Stowe?″
    ‶ Why?″
    ‶ I′m not sure. I need you
to be here. Tomorrow. And I need you to stay for a couple of days.″
    Another long pause.
    ‶ Jeff, you know I volunteer at
the clinic on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. They′d have a hard time finding a
replacement on such short notice.″
    ‶ Rich, please come.″
    The silence lingered for at least ten seconds.
    ‶ I can′t. I just
can′t.”
    I stood there, stunned. Despite Maggie′s
warning, I hadn′t believed he′d actually say no.
    ‶ Look, Jeff, I can′t turn
my life upside down every time you get one of those funny feelings of
yours,″ Richard continued.
    I tried to hide my disappointment. ‶ You′re
right.”
    A plump woman in a tight black mini dress stood
just within earshot, She had her cell phone ready, too. I turned away.
    ‶ I′m sure whatever it is
that’s bothering you will settle itself in a day or two,″ he said.
    ‶ You′re probably
right.″ Oh, yeah? Then why did I feel doomed?
    The woman moved to stand before me, shifting
her weight from foot to foot. Why didn’t she just go outside? She glared at me,
so I did.
    ‶ Look, Maggie’s waiting for me,
I’d better get back to her. I′ll see you on Monday night. Bye.″ I
slapped the phone shut, stabbed the power button to turn it off, and shoved it
into my pocket.
    I let out a frustrated breath and gazed around
the packed parking lot. The twilight deepened. Headlights flashed on the
highway. The world would soon come to an end. At least, the world as I knew it.
I′d asked a lot of Richard over the past few months, maybe too much,
because now, when it really counted, he′d let me down.
    That wasn′t true. He just didn′t
understand what this meant to me. How could