“He didn’t follow you once you ran?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t look. By the time I reached the garage, I couldn’t see him. I conned the guard into walking me up to my car.”
“Smart girl.”
She snorted. “Fine for you to say. You didn’t see the guard.”
“It was still smart. A paid guard wouldn’t try anything. He’d never get away with it.”
“That was what I figured, not that I had much choice at the time.”
“But you made it to your car safely. Did you see anyone when you were driving away from the garage?”
“I wasn’t looking.” She paused to take a healthy swallow of brandy, made a face, recovered, then went on. “I just locked the doors and drove. No one followed me home, at least no one I could see. I was checking for that.” Her voice rose. “But when I got here, I didn’t know what to do. Everything was dark, and I was sure that if I tried to get into the house, I’d get caught in one of your snares. Then you drove up, and I thought it washim—but I really don’t know if therewasa him. The man I saw could have been after me. Then again, he could have been minding his own business.”
Matt closed his hand over hers and urged the snifter to her lips again. The brandy was doing its thing; at least she’d stopped shaking.
“I’m sorry I frightened you,” he said.
“I thought you’d be later.”
“I left Leominster as soon as I could. I was worried.”
The eyes Lauren raised brimmed with discouragement. “What am I going to do, Matt?” she whispered. “I can’t go on this way.”
“I know, sweetheart. I know.” His expression was grim. “Do you think someone’s keeping tabs on you during the day?”
“While I’m at work, you mean?”
He nodded. “Have you ever gotten the feeling that you’re being followed in broad daylight?”
She thought for a minute. “No.”
“Ever remember seeing anyone who might fit the description of the man you saw tonight?”
Again she pondered his question, then shrugged in frustration. “There have to be dozens of tall, large-set men who wander through the Marketplace each day. I’ve never noticed anyone special … other than you.” When he glowered at her, she added a sad “That was a compliment,” and his glower promptly faded.
“Oh. Thank you.”
“WhatamI going to do?”
“I’m thinking. I’m thinking.” It was a while before he spoke again, and then it was almost to himself. “You haven’t gotten any strange phone calls, heavy-breathing type of thing? And there hasn’t been any direct contact, like a note or anything?”
She shook her head, but Matt’s attention was on the floor. His brows were knitted together, his lips clamped into a thin line.
“I think,” he said at last, “that you should finish your brandy and get to bed. You’ve had a frightening—”
“Finish my brandy and get to bed? That won’t solve anything!”
“There’s nothing to be solved tonight. You’re safely locked in, and I’m here.”
“But tomorrow! I have to go to work tomorrow! You can’t be with me every minute, and I don’t even want that. I’ve never been helpless or clinging before, but it seems that lately I’m throwing myself at you the instant you get here.”
“I don’t mind,” he volunteered with a half grin, only to be cut off.
“Well, I do! I don’t like what I’ve become, Matt. I can’t continue living this way. I won’t!”
What had existed of a grin was wiped clean from his face. “I agree, Lauren. Something has to be done. It’s simply a matter of deciding what. Just … just let me sleep on it, okay?”
