Better to Eat You Read Free

That’s too much to be chance.”
    â€œI think so, too,” she said.
    â€œI’m glad you told me, although it’s the strangest thing I’ve ever heard. Nothing happens to your grandfather?” he asked shrewdly.
    â€œNo. I’m safe there.”
    â€œI can’t help wondering if there is anyone who wants you to be alone and friendless. Or there, at your grandfather’s.”
    â€œNo. Nobody really wants me there. Even Grandfather wants me out in the world, for my own sake. He thinks I ought to go back to Japan. He’s a little bit superstitious. Lots of stage people are. He says I picked up my ghosts there. I think I will have to go.”
    â€œThere is nobody who is in any way your enemy?” asked David uneasily.
    â€œI can’t imagine who,” she said forlornly. “Or why or even what it is. It’s hard to do any searching for a reason because, of course, I have to do it alone. I just hope … I just guess I must wait it out.” Her eyes watched him for help.
    â€œWill you work with me this summer?” said David sharply. “Because I very much want you to.”
    â€œNo,” she said, just as sharply.
    â€œWill you go to the movies with me tonight?”
    â€œNo. Oh no …”
    â€œWill you meet me for …”
    â€œNo. Please. Not you, ” she said and his eyebrows went up and he grinned.
    â€œWell, now, I kinda fancy myself as just the type to make a good jinx-breaker and besides, as I keep saying …”
    A man’s voice broke in. “Ah there, Sarah.”
    David looked up. Over them stood a tall man, a big man, and on his heavy shoulders rode a head that was ridiculously too small. He was in his thirties, not very old. There was something about him that seemed watchful.
    â€œOh, Edgar,” said the girl with a sigh. “Professor Wakeley, this is Dr. Perrott. A kind of cousin of mine.”
    â€œHow do?” said Dr. Perrott, shifting a book to shake hands.
    â€œA student here, Doctor?”
    â€œI come up a couple of times a week, sit in on some lectures, keep an eye on Sarah.”
    The small blonde had risen, too. “Edgar stays with Grandfather and keeps him well,” she said. “Goodbye, Mr. Wakeley.”
    â€œI’m trying to persuade Miss Shepherd,” David plunged boldly, “to be my secretary this summer. I’m writing a book and I need someone just like her. Do you know any reason why she shouldn’t take the job?”
    The tall man’s face was opposite David’s own.
    Sombre, it was also a closed face. It gave nothing away at all. “I should think that would be up to her,” said Dr. Perrott. “Want a lift, Sarah? Don’t see your car.”
    â€œThanks, Edgar. Goodbye, Mr. Wakeley.” She was nervous and anxious to leave.
    â€œNow just a minute …”
    â€œBut I told you I couldn’t,” said Sarah Shepherd. David could see into her eyes, it seemed, a long long way. The message was, We might have been friends. I like you very much indeed. “I’m very pleased you think I’m qualified,” she was saying gracefully. “I’ve enjoyed your course. I liked your book.”
    â€œI’ll see you in class tomor …”
    â€œGoodbye, Mr. Wakeley,” There was no doubt she meant it. Deep in the eyes, doors closed. “Goodbye.”
    â€œNice to have met you,” said Dr. Perrot and he turned and his big body hid from David’s sight the little blonde’s flight to the door and away.
    David Wakeley sat down. A very hard stubborn look took possession of his normally amiable face.

Chapter 2
    Late afternoon, alone, Dr. Perrott drove very fast. He ran quickly out of the smallish town, east of the big city, in which the college had its being. It was not far at all, and not long at his speed, to the sea.
    He passed through an elaborate gateway, past a guard who might or might not stop