Fortune Is a Woman - Elizabeth Adler [51]
“I don’t know what you are talking about,” she whispered, frightened. “I love Josh and he loves me and we’re going to get married and that’s all there is to it.”
He took a step closer and his voice dropped to a menacing whisper. “All right, you’ve asked for it. Why d’ya think Josh ran away from home? Why d’ya think he’s here, in San Francisco? You think you know all about him, but I’ll bet he’s never told you that. Well, now I will. He’s running from the police.”
His boots clomped heavily on the bare wooden boards as he paced the room. His fists were clenched and his brow knotted in anguish. Francie’s knees turned to jelly with fear as she watched him and she sank into the chair. “But why is Josh running from the police?” she asked.
Sammy flung back his head. He closed his eyes and said slowly, “Because Josh Aysgarth is a killer.”
Terrified, Francie stared at him. She told herself he just wanted to frighten her and she knew he had succeeded. She said tremulously, “You’re just jealous, that’s all.”
He looked consideringly at her. “I’m here to warn you. He’s already killed three women, all young and pretty like you. Stabbed them to death.” He reached out and put a finger on her neck. “In the throat … just where the pulse beats. That’s what he told me, he said it’s the best place.” He glanced out the window at the big round moon. “And it always happens when the moon is full. You’d better believe me, Miss Harrison. You’d better get out of here, out of his way. You’ve no time to lose.”
Francie knew he must be crazy and she said, “What kind of a friend would say a terrible thing like that?”
“A true friend,” he said bitterly. “That’s what you will never understand.”
She was so frightened of him now, she thought she might faint, but she said, “I’ll never believe you. And I’ll never leave Josh. Never.” She sank back in the chair, flinching as he took a step toward her; his fists were clenched and he boiled with anger. Then he seemed to pull himself together. He walked past her and out the door. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” he called over his shoulder.
Francie quickly locked the door, leaning against it, her heart thudding, then she ran to the window and stared out at the great pale moon lighting up the city, thinking about what he had said. She ran her fingers along the smooth curve of her throat, letting them rest on the fluttering pulse at the base. He stabbed them there, Sammy had said, it was the best place.
She sat on the bed and wrapped the blanket around her, cold with fear, waiting for Josh.
The minutes ticked slowly by until eleven, and when at last she heard his footsteps on the stairs, she ran to the door and flung it open and hurled herself into his arms.
“What’s the matter, lass?” he asked, holding her close. “You’re shaking like a leaf.” Francie looked into his gentle gray eyes and at his good, familiar face and she knew what Sammy had said was impossible, but she still could not stop crying.
Josh picked her up and carried her to the bed; he lay down beside her and held her close. He stroked her short silken blond hair and kissed the tears from her eyes and then he kissed her mouth, drawing her even closer to him until she forgot all about evil Sammy Morris. She just wanted to stay in his arms forever.
His hand found her breast and her heart turned over. She trembled as he slowly unfastened the buttons and kissed her naked body and she was filled with happiness. He was holding her so close that they were almost one and at last she knew what it felt like to be loved.
It seemed such a natural thing to be in his arms, to share their bodies the way they shared their thoughts. She was young and innocent and happier than any woman ever could be, to be clasped in the arms of a man who loved her.
The next day Josh bounded eagerly up the stairs to Francie’s room, his arms full of daffodils. He knocked impatiently on the door. “Hurry up, Francie, it’s me,