Dead by Midnight - Beverly Barton [135]
Her life was in a state of nerve-racking limbo.
And she and Mike had run out of idle chitchat days ago. Now conversation between them was strained to say the least. They both struggled to find something to talk about, often resorting to the weather.
“Looks like it might rain,” Mike said.
“Uh-huh. I think the weather forecast on the ten o’clock news last night predicted a fifty percent chance of thunder-showers by this evening.”
“We could use some rain.”
“We sure could.” Lorie picked up the half slice of her grilled cheese sandwich and took a big bite.
Mike scooped up a spoonful of hot tomato soup and brought it to his mouth.
Lorie took a sip of iced tea. “Your mom is bringing supper again tonight when she and the kids come over for a visit.”
Mike nodded. “Uh-huh.”
“You really should be at home with Hannah and M.J. instead of here babysitting me.”
“There’s no need to discuss that again,” Mike told her.
Lorie voiced a concern that had been tormenting her. “What if I’m not his next victim? What if he’s chosen someone else? Do you plan to stay with me indefinitely?”
“If that’s what it takes. But I’m counting on Powell’s and the FBI finding this guy before he strikes again.”
“God, I hope so.”
“It’ll happen. I know it will.”
She forced a smile and then concentrated on eating lunch.
Mike glanced at his wristwatch. “It’s nearly one. We can take our apple pie in the living room while we watch As the World Turns and find out what Carly and Jack are up to today.”
Lorie laughed. “You’re the only man I know who’ll admit he has ever watched a soap opera.”
“Hey, I grew up with a mother who never missed an episode of As the World Turns and still doesn’t. She records the show if she can’t watch it when it airs.”
“Yeah, I know. She’s the one who got me hooked on the show when I was a teenager. Sometimes I catch it on my lunch break, and if not, I watch it on my DVR in the evenings.” Lorie sighed.
“You miss work, don’t you?”
“God, yes. I love being at Treasures. And I know my not being there is putting a burden on Cathy, and it’s an added expense having to hire extra help.”
“You know why you can’t go into town yet, why being at Treasures is a really bad idea.”
She blew out an exasperated breath. “I know, I know. Reporters and curiosity seekers would descend like a swarm of locusts if they knew I was there. Not to mention all those Bible-spouting, narrow-minded fanatics who think I’m the devil’s spawn.”
Mike looked at her and she knew he wanted to reach across the table and take her hand. But he didn’t. He wanted to comfort her. But he didn’t.
“It’s okay,” she told him. “Really. I can be a good girl and follow orders if that’s what it takes to keep me alive.”
“It won’t be forever,” he told her.
“I know, but right now it seems…” She paused, brought her hands together in a prayerlike gesture, and lifted them to her lips. After releasing a pent-up breath, she gazed down at the table, avoiding direct eye contact with Mike. “I never realized how much I wanted to live until recently. It changes your perspective on everything when death is staring you in the face. If I…” She emitted a grunting chuckle. “Scratch that thought. Not if I live through this, but when I live through this, I’m not going to waste any more of my life trying to make up for my many sins.”
“All the time you’ve wasted is partly my fault. I couldn’t stop punishing you. I could have been a friend to you. Mother and Molly tried to make me see reason. I should have listened to them and—”
“No, you shouldn’t have. It wouldn’t have worked, our trying to be friends. There was a time when I thought I wanted us to be friends, that friendship would be enough for me. But I was lying to myself.” She looked right at him. “That