The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner Read Free Book Online

room best.”
    D.D. smiled. “I like your room, too. All the flowers and the pretty butterflies. Did you help decorate it?”
    “No. I can’t draw. My mommy and daddy did it. I’m four and three-quarters, you know.” Ree puffed out her chest. “I’m a big girl now, so I got a big girl’s room for my fourth birthday.”
    “You’re four? No way, I would’ve said you’re five, six, easy. What have they been feeding you, ’cause you’re awfully tall for four.”
    Ree giggled. Her father said nothing.
    “I like macaroni and cheese. That’s my favorite food in the whole world. Mommy lets me eat it if I have turkey franks, too. Need protein, she says. If I have enough protein, I can have Oreos for dessert.”
    “Is that what you ate last night?”
    “I had mac-n-cheese and apples. No Oreos. Daddy didn’t have time to make it to the grocery store.”
    She gave her father a look, and for the first time Jason Jones fired to life. He ruffled his daughter’s hair, while his gaze filled with a mixture of love and protectiveness. Then he turned away from her and, as if a switch had been thrown, resumed his dead man’s stare.
    “Who fed you dinner last night, Ree?”
    “Mommy feeds me dinner, Daddy feeds me lunch. I have PB and J for lunch, but no cookies. Can’t have cookies all the time.” Ree sounded faintly mournful.
    “Does Mr. Smith like Oreos?”
    Ree rolled her eyes. “Mr. Smith likes everything! That’s why he’s sofat. He eats and eats and eats. Mommy and Daddy say no people food for Mr. Smith, but he does not like that.”
    “Did Mr. Smith help you eat dinner last night?”
    “He tried to jump on the counter. Mommy told him to scat.”
    “I see. And after dinner?”
    “Bath time.”
    “Mr. Smith takes a bath?” D.D. tried to sound incredulous.
    Ree giggled again. “No, Mr. Smith is a cat. Cats don’t take baths. They groom themselves.”
    “Ooh. That makes much more sense. So who took a bath?”
    “Mommy and me.”
    “Does your mom hog all the hot water? Use up all the soap?”
    “No. But she won’t let me have the soap. Once I poured the whole bottle into the tub. You should’ve seen the bubbles!”
    “That must’ve been most impressive.”
    “I like bubbles.”
    “So do I. And after the bath?”
    “Well, we took a shower.”
    “My apologies. After your shower …”
    “Went to bed. I get to pick two stories. I like Fancy Nancy and Pinkalicious books. I also get to pick a song. Mommy likes to sing ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,’ but I’m too old for that, so I made her sing ‘Puff the Magic Dragon.’”
    “Your mother sang ‘Puff the Magic Dragon’?” D.D. didn’t have to fake her surprise this time.
    “I like dragons,” Ree said.
    “Umm, I see. And Mr. Smith, what did he think of this?”
    “Mr. Smith doesn’t sing.”
    “But does he like songs?”
    Ree shrugged. “He likes stories. He always curls up with me during story time.”
    “Then your mother turns out the light?”
    “I get a nightlight. I know I’m four and three-quarters, but I like having a nightlight. Maybe … I don’t know. Maybe when I’m five … or maybe thirty, then I won’t have a nightlight.”
    “Okay, so you’re in bed. Mr. Smith is with you—”
    “He sleeps at my feet.”
    “Okay, he’s at your feet. Nightlight is glowing. Your mom turns off the light, closes the door, and then …”
    Ree stared at her.
    Jason Jones was staring at her now, too, his gaze faintly hostile.
    “Anything happen in the middle of the night, Ree?” D.D. asked quietly.
    Ree stared at her.
    “Other noises. People talking. Your door opening? When did Mr. Smith leave you?”
    Ree shook her head. She wasn’t looking at D.D. anymore. After another second, she curled back into her father’s side, her skinny arms wrapping tightly around his waist. Jason put both arms around her shoulders and regarded D.D. flatly.
    “Done,” he said.
    “Mr. Jones—”
    “Done,” he repeated.
    D.D. took a deep