Eyes Of Danger by M. Garnet Read Free Book Online

though it seemed like I saw a couple of other faces that I was seeing again and again. But, shit, that had to be a coincidence.
    A couple of days later, Connie called me. She said she had to see me at once, lunch around the corner from my office. This was not my normal flighty, wild Connie. She choked on her words, wouldn’t explain, hanging up in a hurry. My alarm went off. I told my co-workers that I was leaving.
     
    I walked over to find Connie sitting at one of the tables outside. This, by itself, was surprising, because Connie always preferred a controlled atmosphere.
    I smiled as I approached, sliding into a chair under one of the colorful umbrellas, but was shocked when Connie did not return my smile.
    “Connie, what is the matter? Can I help?” I reached for her hand, but she drew back.
    She was twisting a napkin in her hand. Connie started in right away, not her usual high voice, but a hoarse whisper.
    “Michelle, you must be in some sort of trouble and I can’t let you drag me into it at this time of my life.” Connie was looking down at her hands knotting the cloth.
    I looked at her closely. She didn’t have on even half of the makeup that usually outlined her blue eyes. Her face was swollen and her hair was pulled back.
    “Connie, I don’t understand. What has happened?”
    There were tears in Connie’s eyes and she looked like she was about to lose it.
    “Connie, talk to me. What happened?”
    “I was arrested.” Now, the tears were really flowing. “All because of you.” She stammered. “I-I was taken in and-and they held me for hours.” She gulped. “It was the worst experience I have ever had. They treated me terribly,” she mumbled. “They were not polite, the men didn’t even respond when I tried to flirt.”
    “Connie, you have to quit crying and start making sense. Tell me what happened.” I couldn’t even understand a lot of what she was saying, she was so upset. So far, nothing made any sense.
    Connie gulped again and swallowed some of her drink. She used up two Kleenex tissues and then finally said, “Last night, on the way home from exercise classes, around nine thirty, I was pulled over by a State Trooper. While he was checking my license, a black SUV pulled up and three men in suits showed Federal Badges and took me to an office in town. They were frightening. They wouldn’t talk and wouldn’t answer any of my questions. They left me alone in a room for hours.” She started sniffling again.
    I pulled out more Kleenex waiting for her to get through this bout of tears. People were beginning to look at us and I tried to get her to quiet down. I put my hand over hers on the table and shushed her in the way of a mother to a child. I had always felt Connie was childlike.
    “Anyways, two men came in the room and they had a file on me and began asking me questions about my personal life. I asked if I needed a lawyer and they said I wasn’t under arrest—just brought in as a possible source. What the hell does that mean? Finally, after asking me questions about me, they started asking about you.”
    I sat back in the chair. I looked at her and then I looked around. No one around us seemed to be paying any attention to me, though some were sneaking sympathy looks at Connie, but what did I know? I looked out towards the parking lot. I didn’t see a tall sun-streaked head or anyone except a couple of people moving towards the strip stores.
    I finally got a grip and asked a question. “Well, what did they want to know about me?” I waited while Connie pulled out a mirror so she could check her mascara. Finally, she was getting a hold and the tears were slowing. She was turning into the Connie I knew.
    “They wanted to know how long we had been friends, who your other friends were, who you dated. Do you have any strange habits? Do you go to any unusual churches or cults? Did you believe in or practice Black Magic?” Connie was now into herself entirely, the mirror in her hand