Darkest Place Read Free Page B

first branch in the warehouse grapevine – and whether she’d heard about the police arrival during the night.
    â€˜Yes, beautiful,’ Carly said.
    â€˜I had to argue for this seat to be installed, but it was worth it, and not just for old ladies like me to rest.’ She shuffled awkwardly to the edge of the seat, placing her feet carefully, knocking a lumpy grocery bag to the floor. Carly skipped a few steps through the shadows to help, then stopped, warned off by the determined hand the woman held up. ‘Thank you, but while I can still manage my shopping without assistance, I intend to do so.’
    Carly watched the woman’s painstaking progress, noticing sensible walking shoes under nice trousers, the white blouse and red blazer, a chunk of dark blue rock at her throat. When she was on her feet, Carly skirted around her and pressed the button for the lift.
    â€˜Are you waiting for the elevator?’ the woman asked. ‘Or assuming I can’t press the button myself?’
    It was headmistress condescension mixed with old lady uppity, and Carly couldn’t tell if the woman was actually incensed or it was her usual manner of speech. But she saw the wince on her lined face as she leaned on a walking stick and figured she deserved some leeway.
    â€˜I’ll ride with you, if that’s okay,’ Carly said.
    The woman took a moment to assess her before hobbling into the cab, claiming a place at the control panel as though making a point. She lit up the button for the second level then looked at Carly.
    â€˜Four, please.’
    â€˜So you’re our new resident.’
    She’d been discussed already? ‘Yes. I moved in on Monday.’
    â€˜The east wall, I believe.’
    â€˜That’s right.’
    â€˜You have a harbour view.’
    Maybe she hadn’t heard about the police. ‘A slice of it. And I can see the tops of some yachts.’
    â€˜The marina. I don’t have that pleasure. I’m on the north wall, where we enjoy the sunshine through winter.’ The woman tipped her head back and looked at Carly through the bottom of her glasses. ‘And where have you come from?’
    â€˜Out west.’
    â€˜Do you have family here?’
    â€˜No. I don’t know anyone.’
    â€˜Are you here for work?’
    Was she writing a report? ‘No, I’m enrolled at the TAFE campus. I start next week.’
    â€˜I see.’ The lift jolted to a stop. ‘Do you read?’
    Carly figured she wasn’t asking if she was literate. ‘Fiction, yes.’
    As she stepped out, the woman held a gnarled hand to one door to keep it open. ‘I host a small book club for residents. Members are usually required to read the selected title but for July we are celebrating the life of Charles Dickens. Our next meeting is on Tuesday evening. If you’ve read Dickens, you’re welcome to join us.’
    A part of Carly wanted to break out a goofy smile but she kept it cautious and polite. ‘Thank you. I’d like to.’ She hadn’t read Dickens since school but she had a week to rectify that.
    â€˜Apartment 109. I’ll expect you at seven fifteen sharp. I’m Elizabeth Jennings.’ She held her bony hand out to shake.
    â€˜Lovely to meet you, Elizabeth. I’m Carly Townsend, apartment 419.’ If she could be who she wanted here, she’d be Carly.
    When the doors had closed and all Carly could see was her own reflection in the stainless steel, she said, ‘Day Three of her new life and Charlotte decides to be Carly, who meets a neighbour and receives an invitation.’ She grinned then. ‘And Carly laughs to herself as she rides the lift to her new apartment.’
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    Her moment of joy slipped away as the elevator opened on the fourth floor. On the other side of the atrium, a man was at her front door. Palm on the wall, head lowered like he was listening.
    She hesitated outside the cab,