P is for Peril by Sue Grafton Read Free Book Online Page B

war, but then it’s back to school for her. Next weekend they start in again, and so it goes.” She gestured for me to follow and then moved into the great room and took a seat on the couch.
    â€œShe’s in boarding school?” I asked.
    â€œFitch Academy. Malibu. I’m the school guidance counselor and I provide personal transportation to and from. Not part of my duties. As it happens, I rent a house two doors down.” She had strong, arched brows over dark eyes, high cheekbones with a smattering of freckles, and a pale wide mouth, showing perfect white teeth. “This particular Donnybrook is about whether Leila’s going to spend the night with her dad. Four months ago she was fanatical about him. If she couldn’t spend the weekend with him, she’d regale everyone in ear range with loud, shrieking fits. Now they’re on the outs and she refuses to go. Up to this point, she was winning the battle. Once she slams the door, it’s over. She loses big points for that, giving Crystal a tactical advantage.”
    â€œI’d find it difficult.”
    â€œWho doesn’t? Girls her age are melodramatic by nature and Leila’s high-strung. She’s one of the brightest kids we have, but she’s a handful. They all are—except for a few Goody Two-shoes. You never know where you stand with them. Personally, I prefer this, though it does get tedious.”
    â€œFitch is all girls?”
    â€œThank God. I’d hate to imagine having to deal with boys that age, too. Can I fix you a drink?”
    â€œI better not, but thanks.”
    She finished the last of her martini and then leaned forward and set her empty glass with a click on the light wood coffee table. “I understand you’re here about Dowan.”
    â€œYes, and I’m sorry to intrude. I’m sure she’s been through a lot since this ordeal began.”
    â€œIt can’t be helped.”
    â€œHow’s she doing?”
    â€œI’d say fair. Of course, the strain’s been enormous. The days drag on and on, some worse than others. She keeps waiting for the phone to ring, looking for his car. The rumors keep flying, but that’s about all. No real sign of him yet.”
    â€œI’m sure it’s hard.”
    â€œImpossible. It really gets to her. If it weren’t for Griff, I don’t know how she’d manage to keep sane.”
    â€œWhere was she that night, this house or the other one, in Horton Ravine?”
    Nica pointed at the floor. “They’re usually here on weekends. Crystal’s a Pisces—a water baby. This is more her style than that pretentious pile of shit Fiona built in town. Have you been there?”
    â€œNot yet.”
    â€œNo offense,” she added mildly. “I know she’s your client.” You poor thing went unsaid.
    â€œWhat about you? When did you hear Dow was missing?”
    â€œWell, I knew something was going on that first night. I’d driven Leila up from Malibu as usual—we arrived about five o’clock—and she went off to her dad’s. He’s her stepfather, really, but he’s helped raise her from infancy. At any rate, Crystal had already talked to Dow when we pulled in from school. He knew he wasn’t going to be free in time for supper, so it was just Crystal and Rand and me.”
    â€œRand?”
    â€œGriff’s nanny. He’s great. He’s been with the baby ever since Griff was born. You’ll meet both in a bit. Rand’ll bring Griff in for his good-nightkiss right after his bath. By then he’s had his supper and he’s ready for bed. On the twelfth, we put together a cold picnic and ate it out on the deck. It was gorgeous—quite clear and very balmy for that time of year; warm enough to linger without sweaters, which is unusual out here. We chatted about nothing in particular while we worked our way through a couple bottles of red wine. At seven