Pursued by Shadows by Medora Sale Read Free Book Online Page A

very least.”
    â€œListen, Inspector,” said Harriet, her face completely deadpan, “if you’re going to throw people around and punch them about you can’t expect them to cover for you afterward.”
    â€œFor the sake of my reputation, you might keep your voice down just a decibel or two,” he replied, slipping into the booth. “There are several of my colleagues well within earshot. Soaking all of this up.”
    Harriet took a sip of her coffee and then burst into laughter. “I saw them. And they’re prepared to believe every word, too, I’ll bet. I couldn’t resist it,” she said. “I have been the recipient of so many pitying looks today I couldn’t stand it any longer.”
    â€œWhat’s new?” John asked, touching her cheekbone delicately. “How is it?”
    â€œNot beautiful, and rather tender, but it could be worse, as you can see. And I’m sorry for having been so prickly and ungracious yesterday. It was a shock having Guy burst in like that and start yelling at me. I’m not used to it anymore. It took me a while to recover.”
    â€œNot to say pop you one,” said John gravely.
    Harriet nodded. “Not to say. Well—in one way, though, it’s just as well. I needed to get him out of my system in some more efficient way than just trying to pretend he never existed. And now I have.”
    â€œIn—” Sanders looked at his watch. “Eighteen hours? Don’t count on it. Was that your news?” he added, as he turned and ordered two corned beef sandwiches. “I’m not trying to run your life, by the way. It’s the only thing on the menu that’s edible, believe me,” he explained.
    â€œPartly. And it’s not exactly news, I suppose. I really lured you away from your desk because when I called I was feeling low—somewhere down around the bottom layer of the sewer system I would say—and I wanted to see you. There. That’s more a confession than news.” She glanced up. “And because a couple of strange things have happened. Or maybe,” she emended after looking at his face, “two additional strange things. Something very peculiar is going on. And Jane is mixed up in it. I mean more than just walking out on Guy. The whole world seems to be looking for her for the flimsiest and oddest of reasons. I’m getting worried about her.” And in between bites of her greasy, mustard-soaked, lovely corned beef sandwich Harriet told John about Peter and Nina.
    John heard her out in silence and then said nothing for a perceptible length of time. “They could have been telling the truth, you know. Both of them,” he said at last. “I realize it doesn’t happen that often, but it is a possibility you might consider, O cynical one.”
    â€œI know these people,” said Harriet. “They get a pale, strained, dreadful look on their deeply sensitive artistic faces when confronted with the truth—either speaking it or hearing it.”
    â€œHarriet, you’re destroying my faith in mankind,” said John, reaching over and touching the tip of her nose. “And I’m very sorry that I can’t stay to have it ruined completely, but I am in the middle of a case and people who see me here, chatting with a beautiful woman, will think I have lost my dedication to my profession. Let me consider your tale,” he added. “But in the meantime, please keep the chain on your door. If there is something funny going on, I don’t like the way everyone assumes you are in the middle of it. I’ll call you as soon as I have a minute. Watch out for yourself, will you?” he repeated, rose, and picked up the check. “My restaurant, my treat. Next time you can take me to Cibo’s for a sixty-dollar lunch.” And he dropped a hasty kiss on her glossy dark hair.
    â€œThere you go, overprotective to the last. You watch