The Next Accident - Lisa Gardner [84]
“Kimberly, how can I help you?”
She gazed at Doug blankly. Her mouth opened, but no words came out.
He smiled. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“I have to cancel all my lessons,” she said.
He stilled, then frowned. She searched his gaze for anything sinister. He simply appeared concerned, and somehow that frightened her more. He makes himself into what the victim wants, Dr. Andrews had theorized. Kindness. That’s what all women wanted. Someone who was kind.
“I’m sorry to hear that, Kimberly. Is everything all right?”
“Where were you yesterday?”
“I was sick. I’m sorry. I tried to reach you at your apartment, but apparently you had already left.”
“And last night?”
“I was at home with my wife. Why are you asking?”
“I thought I saw you. Somewhere. At a restaurant.”
“I don’t think so. I did come here briefly to pick up some paperwork, but then I went straight home.”
“To your wife?”
“Yes.”
“What is her name again?”
“Laurie. Kimberly—”
“You don’t have any kids, do you?”
“Not yet.”
“How long have you been married?”
“I don’t like this conversation, Kimberly. I’m not sure what is going on, but I don’t think this is appropriate.”
“I thought we were friends. Friends can ask questions, can’t they? Friends can talk.”
“We are friends. But I don’t feel that you’re asking these questions in a friendly way.”
“Does that make you nervous?”
“Yes.”
“Am I asking too many questions?”
“I think so.”
“Why? What are you trying to hide?”
Doug James didn’t say anything right away. He stared at her, his peering eyes impossible to read. She returned his look inch for inch, though her pulse was fluttery and her hands had fisted at her side.
He said slowly, “I’m going to return to my student now.”
“I’m not coming back.”
“I’m sorry—”
“I’m leaving this state. You won’t be able to find me.”
“Okay, Kimberly.”
“I’m not as easy as my mother.”
“This other student really needs my attention.”
“She was a lovely woman, did you know that? Maybe she was raised out of step with the women’s revolution. Maybe she should have tried harder in her marriage. But she loved us, and she did her best and she never stopped trying to be happy. Even when it was hard, she never stopped trying to be happy—”
Her voice broke off. She was crying. She stood in the middle of the threadbare lobby with its trophy case, stuffed animal heads, and sagging couch, weeping while other gun club members began to stare. Doug James slowly backed away, his hand fumbling behind him for the door connecting to the shooting gallery.
“I miss my mother,” Kimberly said, and this time her voice held as her tears stopped. She stood there dry-eyed, which she knew must be worse. The other members looked away. Doug James fairly bolted out of the lobby.
After a moment, she turned back to the front desk where the new, diligent employee of the month was regarding her with unabashed terror.
“What time did Doug stop by last night?” Kimberly asked.
“Eight P.M.,” the boy squawked. “Stopped in the office, grabbed paperwork and left. His wife was waiting outside for him.”
“You saw her?”
“Yes.”
“What does she look like?”
“Not nearly as pretty as you,” the boy said hastily, still not understanding the situation.
Kimberly slowly nodded. Her mind was still trying to make the pieces fit. What had the witness said about her mother last night? Her mother and the strange man had pulled up together at ten P.M. in a fancy red car. According to the neighbor, her mother had been out all day.
“Was the woman a blonde? Mid-forties, slender, nicely dressed?” she asked.
The boy frowned. “No. Doug’s wife is a brunette and she’s kind of big right now. I think they’re expecting a baby.”
“Oh.” It definitely wasn’t her mother who’d come here at eight. Which meant it might indeed be Doug James’s wife. And hey, he might be telling the truth and he might be an actual gun instructor, happily married and now expecting his first child.
Day One, I don’t know what to believe anymore. Day