The Edge of Dawn Read Free Page B

that she’d regrouped. “He kidnapped me in Detroit—”
    â€œThe hospital lets me take her home once or twice a month. She’s under a doctor’s supervision.”
    Narice stared. What?!
    The next thing she knew, he was showing the police what appeared to be legal documents. “See,” he said to them, “these are her papers. It gives me permission to take her off the grounds of the hospital where she usually stays. I had the doctors there type this up because every time I take her out, she gets people all freaked out claiming to be kidnapped and stuff.”
    Narice stood there stunned. Who in the world was this man?! She leaned down so the officers could see her clearly. “I am not crazy. This man is a kidnapper.”
    The officers studied the papers. After a few minutes they handed them back. One of the officers patted her on the hand, and said, kindly, “Ma’am, we can’t arrest your husband. Why don’t you let him take you on home. Okay?”
    â€œHe’s not my husband!” she snarled.
    By now, the restaurant’s employees and customers were staring her way. “He isn’t!!”
    Her husband said gently, “Calm down, baby,” then to the officers, “She’s getting herself all worked up. I needto get her to the car so she can take her medication.”
    Narice threw up her hands. “I’m not crazy!”
    â€œCome on, angel. Let’s let these men finish their coffee.”
    â€œI am not crazy!!”
    But she felt like it. How had he put her into this box so effortlessly? It was quite obvious that the police were buying his bogus story and weren’t going to help her at all, so Narice shook off her captor’s husbandly hold and stormed towards the door. She wiped at the angry tears threatening to brim from her eyes. He caught up with her before she could push through the wide glass doors. He opened it politely and she sailed through. He escorted her across the parking lot and had the nerve to be whistling confidently the whole way. Narice wondered if she could escape long enough to buy some rat poison for him to eat.
    Once they were inside the car, he turned her way and asked, “So, what grade do I get for my performance back there, Teach?”
    â€œOh, you’re conceited, too?” she drawled sarcastically. “Why did I already know that?”
    He grinned at her.
    â€œYou get an A,” she told him. “The papers were very clever. Hope I get the chance to return the favor someday.”
    â€œHey, you might.”
    He fished a wrapped breakfast burger out of the bag. “Sure you don’t want anything to eat.”
    â€œReal sure.”
    He seemed to sense how truly angry she was. “I really am with the good guys.”
    â€œWhatever you say.”
    â€œI’m not going to hurt you, rape you, put you in an underground dungeon, and make you eat mouse burgers—none of that. Okay?”
    The part about the mouse burgers almost made Narice smile, but she simply answered, “Okay.”
    â€œHere’s your stuff back.”
    She took her wallet. “My phone?”
    â€œI’m going to hang on to it for now.” Without another word he started the engine and drove back to the highway.
    Saint was real sorry about having to put her through this. He’d been briefed about her father’s death and assumed she was grieving, but sometimes circumstances were such that personal issues had to be set aside and this was one of those circumstances. Once they found the Eye, she could get back to her life but until then, her life would be tied to his and the search. “Our audience with the queen is this afternoon. We’ll grab a room and hole up until then.”
    â€œI’m not sharing a room with you.”
    â€œThen I’ll lock you in the car.”
    She shot him an ugly look.
    â€œNo? Guess it’ll be the room then.”
    Narice turned