The Perfect Murder by Brenda Novak Read Free Book Online

they heard from the police. Maybe the cruiser dispatched by the emergency operator had arrived....
    Maybe she'd be able to believe that if whoever had taken Marcie and her sister hadn't appeared while Marcie was using the phone.
    "I know. I'll talk to you in a few minutes," she said, and hung up.
    Movement from across the bed startled her. She'd become so engrossed in the conversation, she'd forgotten her daughter was in the room.
    "What is it, Mommy?" Kate asked, creeping closer.
    "Someone needs help." Jane took her daughter's hand. As usual, having Kate beside her made her grateful that they were alive and together. The situation five years ago could've ended very differently. But after Gloria's call, even Kate's reassuring presence couldn't keep the doubt that plagued Jane from striking deep.
    Maybe Ava's right about me. Maybe Oliver put me through too much, and now I don't have the nerve to do this job. She felt physically ill at the thought of what might be happening to Latisha and Marcie. Somehow she couldn't imagine Skye or Sheridan or Ava taking it this personally. They all seemed to face every challenge with cool resolve.
    Kate snuggled closer. "Those girls who ran away? Are they the ones who need help?"
    "Yes."
    "They didn't run away?"
    "No."
    "Are you going to rescue them?"
    40

    Jane rubbed the back of her daughter's hand against her cheek. "Do you think I'm capable of rescuing someone?"
    Kate reached up to kiss her cheek. "You saved me, didn't you?" she said.
    "You can do anything."
    A lump rose in Jane's throat. "I'll do my best," she said. Then she sent her daughter off to bed and called David.
    Hey, you there? He wrote me again tonight. Around dinnertime. But I had to rush off to a meeting for a school fundraiser and this is my first chance to get back online.
    Hello?
    You said to let you know.
    Sebastian had just stepped out of the shower when he spotted Mary McCoy's instant messages on his laptop. According to the time indicated on those messages, she'd tried to reach him twenty minutes ago, right after he'd gone into the bathroom.
    Had she already signed off?
    Afraid he was too late, he sat down wearing a towel and typed a quick response.
    I'm here. What'd he say?
    There was no immediate reply. A single mom, Mary was often up late. She'd told him it was the only time she could carve out of the day for herself. But--he glanced at the radio alarm by the bed--it was nearly midnight, and she had to go to the hospital where she worked bright and early in the morning. Maybe she'd gone to bed.
    "Come on, come on." He tapped his fingers on the desk. She'd given him her phone number, but he couldn't call her at this hour, and he couldn't drive over there, either. He stayed away from her place in case Malcolm was closer than they thought. Letting Malcolm see him would blow everything.
    Mary? he typed, as if he was speaking and not merely sending another message.
    Nothing. Damn. He'd missed her.
    41

    Shoving his wet hair out of his face to keep it from dripping into his eyes, he slumped in his chair, momentarily distracted by his reflection in the mirror hanging on the wall. God, he hardly recognized himself anymore. His hair, as thick and black as that of his Greek ancestors, was getting so long it curled around his ears and nape. His coal-black eyes were hollow and slightly sunken, so the sharp angles of his cheekbones protruded in an exaggerated fashion. Dark stubble covered a jaw and chin that, like his cheekbones, now seemed more pronounced. He'd once been so meticulous about his appearance and grooming. A haircut at Lucio's every six weeks, standing appointment. A close shave twice a day to combat an unrelenting five-o'clock shadow. Italian shoes. Designer suits. Gold cuff links. A Rolex watch.
    Now he wore mostly jeans and T-shirts and a brown leather bomber jacket, rarely cut his hair and shaved every three days. The only personal maintenance he hadn't abandoned besides regular hygiene was a stringent fitness