The Cradle Will Fall by Mary Higgins Clark Read Free Book Online

audience. But tell me what you do when you're
    not at the office or your sister's. I know you ski."

     
    "Yes. I rent a condominium in Vermont with some friends."

     
    "Maybe you'll invite me up sometime with you." He did not
    wait for an answer. "Sailing is my sport. I took my boat to the
    Caribbean last spring. . . . Here's your steak."
    They lingered over coffee. By then Richard had told her about
    himself. "I was engaged during med school to the girl next door."

     
    "What happened?" Katie asked.

     
    "We kept postponing the wedding. Jean was a very nice girl.
    But there was something missing."
    "No regrets; no second thoughts?" Katie asked.
    "Not really. That was seven years ago. I'm a little surprised that

     
    the 'something missing' didn't turn up long before now."

     
     
    He did not seem to expect her to comment. Instead he began
    to talk about the Lewis case. "It makes me so angry, the waste of
    life. Vangie Lewis had a lot of years ahead of her."

     
    "You're convinced it wasn't a suicide?"

     
    "I'll need much more information before I pass judgment."

     
    "I don't see Chris Lewis as a murderer. It's too easy to get a
    divorce today if you want to be free."
    "There's another angle to that." Richard pressed his lips together.
    "Let's hold off talking about it."

     
    It was nearly ten thirty when they turned into Katie's driveway.
    Richard looked quizzically at the handsome fieldstone house.
    "How big is this place?" he asked. "How many rooms?"

     
    "Twelve," Katie said reluctantly. "It was John's house."

     
    Richard did not give her the chance to say good night at the
    door. Taking the key from her hand, he unlocked it and followed
    her in. "I'm not going to stay, but I do admit to an overwhelming
    curiosity as to where you keep yourself."

     
    She turned on some lights and watched somewhat resentfully as
    he looked over the foyer, then the living room. He whistled. "Very
    nice." He studied John's portrait. "I hear he was quite a guy."

     
    "Yes, he was."

     
    "How long were you married, Katie?"

     
    "One year."

     
    He watched as a look of pain flickered over her face. "When
    did you find out that he was sick?"
    "Shortly after we got back from our honeymoon."
    "And ever since, it's been a deathwatch. Sorry, Katie; my job

     
    makes me too blunt for my own good. I'll take off now." He hesitated.
    "Don't you draw these drapes when you're alone here?"

     
    She shrugged. "Why? No one's going to come barging in on me."

     
    "You, of all people, should be aware of the number of home
    burglaries. Do you mind?" He went to the window and pulled the
    draperies shut. "See you tomorrow. How will you get to work?"
    "The service-station people are going to lend me a car. They'll
    drop it off in the morning."
    "Okay." For a moment he stood with his hand on the knob of
    the door, then in a highly credible brogue said, "I'll be leavin' ye,

     
     
    Katie Scarlett. Lock your door now. I wouldn't want anyone tryin'
    to break into Tara." He bent down, kissed her cheek and was gone.

     
    Smiling, Katie closed the door. The clock chimed musically.
    After Richard's bear-warm presence, the room seemed hollow.
    Quickly she turned out the lights and went upstairs.

     
    The phone rang just as she got into bed.

     
    "Mrs. DeMaio?" It was a man's voice.

     
    "Yes."

     
    "This is Dr. Highley. I hope I'm not calling too late, but I've
    tried several times to reach you this evening. The fact that you
    were in an accident and were in our hospital overnight has come
    to my attention. How are you feeling?"

     
    "Quite well, Doctor. How nice of you to call."

     
    "How is the bleeding problem?"

     
    "I'm afraid it's about the same."

     
    "Well, it will all be behind you by this time next week. But I
    do want you to have another transfusion to build you up for the
    surgery, and I also want you to start in on some pills. Can you come
    to the hospital tomorrow afternoon?"

     
    "Yes. As a matter of fact, I was planning to