Forbidden by Pat Warren Read Free Book Online Page B

entrance.
    The place was humming with activity: volunteers on the phones, leaflets being run off, envelopes being addressed, stamp machines
     clicking, mail being sorted. As Adam strolled in and greeted everyone, his eyes scanned the room, looking for a head of dark
     red hair and a pair of long, long legs.
    She wasn’t there.
    He found Fitz at a desk in a back office. After an oral report on his swing of northern cities, Adam tried a casual inquiry.
     “By the way,” he began, placing a hip on the edge of Fitz’s cluttered desk, “I don’t see Liz Townsend.”
    Fitz was riffling through a stack of letters. “No, she couldn’t make it.”
    “Oh? Any particular reason?”
    Slowly Fitz straightened, then readjusted his baseball hat as he studied his brother through his glasses. “She had another
     commitment.”
    It would make Fitz even more suspicious if he persisted. Adam picked up a letter and pretended that it absorbed his attention.
     A few moments later he slipped off across the hall and found a vacant office with desk and phone. He got her number from information
     and called. The answering machine said she wasn’t in, but he didn’t leave a message. Hanging up, he frowned at the phone.
    What to do? Probably he should let it go. He twisted around on the plastic chair and stared at the overhead fan. He didn’t
     want to let it go. It was a long shot, but he took a chance.
    Katherine Townsend was formally friendly on the phone, obviously surprised to hear from him. With no small effort he got her
     to reveal that Liz was at a downtown San Diego little theater group, working with underprivileged children who were rehearsing
     a play. Feeling every inch the fool, he scribbled down the address, thanked Liz’s mother, and hung up.
    He checked his watch. Four. The drive to San Diego would take too long. Restlessly he drummed his fingers on the desktop.
     He didn’t have another engagement for three days. He’d been planning to drive down tomorrow, take a day or two off, then work
     in the San Diego office.
    Now he had a better plan. He picked up the phone and made another call.
    Minutes later he went to find Fitz in his office. “Listen, something’s come up. Would you mind driving the Datsun when you
     go back home tomorrow?” He held out the keys. “I need to be in San Diego tonight.”
    Fitz frowned. “How are you going to manage that?’
    “I’m going to fly down.”
    Fitz’s frown deepened. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with Liz, would it?” He saw the truth on his brother’s face. “I’m
     not sure this is wise, Adam.”
    Adam grinned. “You worry too much, little brother. I’ll check with you tomorrow.”
    Fitz watched him go whistling out the door. Like father, like son, he thought sadly.
    “It’s all right, Annie. Everyone forgets her lines once in a while. Just go back out there and try again.” Liz smoothed the
     ten-year-old girl’s hair and gave her an encouraging smile. “I know you’ll do fine this time.”
    Thrusting her hands into her jeans pockets, Liz watchedAnnie walk slowly back out, wishing her success as the volunteer director lined up the children to repeat the scene. It was
     so hard for these kids. Seldom did they have someone at home who supported their efforts. Usually they had one or more parents
     heavily into alcohol or drugs. Never enough money for nice clothes, for good food, their living conditions often shocking.
    Annie was small for her age, most likely from neglect and lack of early nutrition, and she stuttered much of the time; but
     out on the stage she seemed to forget herself and talk slowly, clearly. Listening, Liz heard the child speak her line perfectly
     and found herself applauding spontaneously. Annie turned and sent her a proud little smile. Liz gave her a thumbs-up signal
     in return.
    “Someone to see you, Liz,” Todd, the man in charge of set decoration, said from behind her.
    Turning, Liz blinked as her eyes adjusted to the dimness