The Puzzled Heart by Amanda Cross Read Free Book Online Page A

Lines always did this to Kate, which was why she had long since got out of the habit of going to movies or patronizing the more fashionable restaurants. Enforced passivity.
    But what exactly had Kate been indulging in, ever since Reed was taken,
but
passivity? She had first gone into a trance, then rushed over to Leslie’s for comfort, then turned the whole thing over to Toni and Harriet. She had allowed herself to be given a dog—however appealing—and had used the dog for what action they had left her.
    Reed had been kidnapped, and it was time, it really was time, she thought as she edged the car forward, for her to begin to think for herself, perhaps to act for herself. She was so overwhelmed by this realization that she forgot to move forward, and the driver in back of her honked irritably. She felt better, stroking Banny, who went back to sleep. She would put her mind to the matter, her mind rather than her emotions or her fears. Surely, however, it would be wise to consult someone, to bounce ideas off someone. Yes, she decided, she would call Leslie and confer with her. And the hell, up to a point, with Toni and Harriet’s orders. She almost wished she had a phone in the car, an indulgence she had always considered the height offolly, necessary only for corporate lawyers and people who lived in California and spent a third of their life on one or another freeway.
    By the time Kate had made it through the tolls and on to the garage, had left the car and walked home with Banny, now attached to her leash and collar, and stopped frequently to have Banny admired, touched, and cooed over, she was altogether determined upon action. She did not yet know of what kind, but she was resolved upon abandoning her passive despair, which might be forgiven as an initial response, but which had gone on far too long.
    First Kate called Leslie to tell her she was feeling better, and that things were looking up a bit. “I’ve had it with sitting around, worrying, and doing nothing,” Kate said. “But I don’t want to go off half-cocked. What do you think?”
    Leslie agreed that it was about time Kate took charge of the situation, and said that she, Leslie, was damn glad to hear it. She reported that her grandsons had returned home, and that she was at Kate’s disposal anytime she was needed.
    “I just wanted a friend’s assurance that I hadn’t taken leave of my senses,” Kate said.
    “You’ve got it,” Leslie answered, “in spades.” Kate promised to call back soon, hung up, then immediately lifted the receiver and called Harriet and Toni.
    “I know you said not to call,” Kate explained to an outraged Harriet, “but that is an order I’ve decidednot to obey. You are working for me, you and Toni, and I want to see you tonight. Here. I don’t care if someone is watching me, or if they see you visiting, or if they wonder whether you’re visiting as friends or detectives. We’ve got to talk. I’ll expect you here for a drink at six.” And Kate hung up amid howls of protest from Harriet. Six was less than an hour away, and Kate had some organized thinking to do.
    When Harriet arrived, looking fit to be tied, as they used to say in Kate’s youth and probably in Harriet’s, she announced that Toni was not coming, since she didn’t approve of this meeting. Harriet, it was always possible, might still be interpreted as a friend visiting in a difficult time. Kate had assembled the single malt Scotch, ice, and glasses, and was clearly prepared for action. She poured some Scotch and began talking.
    Harriet opened her mouth to protest, but only, Kate noticed, after she had got some whiskey into it. Kate held up a silencing hand. “Listen to me,” she said. “I’ve listened to you two for days, I’ve adopted a dog”—who, perhaps exhausted from her travels, was asleep in an armchair—“and now it’s my turn to talk.”
    Harriet knew when argument would be futile and listening the only sensible response. She