Innocence by Peter Robinson Read Free Book Online Page A

think someone’s been watching me through binoculars, too. I’ve seen them glint in the sun.”
    â€œYou don’t know that for sure. Same way you can’t really believe him when he says he knows you from somewhere. Sarah, these guys live in a fantasy world. They watch you on television once and think they’ve known you forever. They read about you in a fan magazine, find out your favorite color, foods and zodiac sign and they think they know your most intimate secrets.”
    Sarah shrugged. “I know. But even so . . .”
    â€œLook, when are you going back home?”
    â€œThursday.”
    â€œHow’s your father doing, by the way?”
    Sarah stirred her food with her fork and shook her head. “Not so well.”
    â€œI’m sorry to hear that. But listen to my point. In a couple of days you’ll be gone, miles away in England. Right?”
    Sarah nodded.
    â€œHow long?”
    â€œNearly a fortnight.”
    â€œA “fortnight”?”
    Sarah smiled. “Two weeks.” She was getting used to having to explain herself to Americans.
    â€œOkay. So by the time you get back, your Romeo will have probably found someone new to pester.”
    â€œYou think so?”
    â€œI guarantee it. Look, if you want, I can arrange with the post office to have your mail sent through me or the studio, get it vetted. A lot of people do that.”
    â€œMaybe that’s a good idea,” Sarah said.
    â€œConsider it done.”
    Mark appeared again out of nowhere and asked if their meals were all right. Given the attention they were getting, Sarah suspected he had recognized Stuart as a casting director. They told him things were fine and he faded back into the greenery. Sarah hadn’t been aware of the conversations around her, but now she heard low voices, the occasional burst of laughter, drinks rattling on a tray.
    Stuart spread his hands. “You’re welcome to come stay with Karen and me till you leave, if you want.”
    â€œNo. Thanks, Stuart, but I’ll be okay.”
    Stuart picked up the letter. “Can I keep this? There’s a guy I’d like to show it to, just to get his opinion. Like I said, it’s nothing, but maybe he can put you a bit more at ease.”
    â€œA policeman?”
    â€œUh-huh. He can at least have a look at the letter, reassure you there’s nothing to worry about. It’s his job. He deals with shit like this all the time. He’s an expert.”
    â€œOkay,” said Sarah.
    Mark came back and asked them about dessert. Sarah only wanted a decaf cappuccino, but Stuart went for the pink gingered pear compote with cassis, which was duly delivered.
    â€œNow,” he said when Mark had vanished again. “Are you sure it’s a good idea to do this Nora in this . . . what is it?”
    â€œA Doll’s House. Ibsen.”
    â€œRight. Are you sure it’s a good idea to do this thing on Broadway?”
    â€œI should be so lucky. Jane Fonda played her in a movie.”
    â€œThat’s right,” Stuart said. “That’s right, she did. Now I recall.” He paused, ate a spoonful of compote, then fixed her with a serious gaze and said, “But, Sarah, sweetheart, think about it. Do you really want to end up making exercise videos and marrying a millionaire tycoon?”
    â€œWell, I suppose there are worse things in life,” she said, laughing. But her laughter had a brittle, nervous edge.

 
    Credits
    Cover photograph © Sandra Cunningham / Arcangel Images

 
    Copyright
    This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblence to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
    I NNOCENCE . Copyright © 2015 by Peter Robinson. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the