“You’ve got my cell phone number,” she reminded him, studying his eyes. She was obviously still worried about his upcoming conversation with Brad.
“And you can call me if you need me. Anytime.” He looked from Leslie to Nikki to Adam, then back to Leslie. She was smiling again. She appreciated his concern, he knew, and he thought she really did like having him around.
With a wave, he left.
His ultimate destination was the office of public records, but he didn’t head straight there. Instead, despite the traffic, he found himself driving around the area, putting together a mental map that included the prostitutes’ street, the position of the dig, Hastings House and the subway. There was a lot of ongoing construction in the area. There were cranes, scaffolding and temporary wire fences on several blocks. Finally he headed past the tenement where he had talked with Heidi Arundsen and Didi, then he continued on at last to his destination.
Leslie was pleased with the day’s work, especially because Laymon had accepted the ongoing help of both Nikki and Adam with little question once he’d discovered that they knew how to move delicately and that Adam was a whiz at deciphering records. Besides, they were free labor, the professor had said with a smile.
They never left the site for lunch but sat in the shade and ate sandwiches from the back of a truck. When five rolled around, they were exhausted.
“That really was a good day’s work,” Leslie murmured, stretching her back, ready to call it quits.
Laymon sniffed. “The first in several days,” he commented.
Leslie grinned at Nikki and Adam as they all cleaned up as best they could in a hurry. Brad actually seemed eager to meet with Joe.
“Well…have fun,” she told him, refraining from telling him that Joe suspected he might be a maniacal killer.
By the time she, Nikki and Adam walked back to Hastings House, it was closed to the public for the day, and the staff had all gone home. Adam excused himself, saying that he wanted to rest before dinner. Leslie and Nikki showered to rid themselves of the dust from their work in the crypt, and then Leslie said, “Want to go for a walk?”
“Sure. I’m up for whatever you think will help.”
A few minutes later, they left the house.
“What?” Leslie demanded, seeing the troubled look that had suddenly come over Nikki’s face.
“Nothing.”
“What?” Leslie insisted.
“I…I might have seen Matt,” the other woman said softly.
Leslie frowned, grabbing her arm. “Where? When? Why didn’t I see him?”
She didn’t realize what a death grip she had on her friend until Nikki gently removed her hand. “I…I’ve been at this longer, I guess. And I’m not certain at all. It was such a pale image.”
“What was he doing?”
“It was as if…as if he was guarding the front door,” Nikki said. “And…”
“And what?”
“He reached out for you as we were leaving.”
Leslie stared at her, then went running back up the steps to the house. She opened the door, almost forgetting to turn off the alarm as she burst into the entry hall.
“Matt?”
Nikki waited outside, behind her.
“Matt, please!” Leslie said urgently as she walked farther into the room. Suddenly she thought she felt it. Something gentle against her cheek, her hair. She stood there, waiting. She couldn’t leave.
Nikki came back inside, closing the door behind her.
“Do you see him?” Leslie whispered.
“No, I’m sorry.”
Leslie couldn’t see him, but she felt him. She was sure of it.
As she stood there, she suddenly heard the sobbing again. She spun around to stare at Nikki. “Do you hear it?”
Nikki frowned. “I’m…I’m not sure.”
Leslie still couldn’t see Matt, but she could hear him then.
Ignore whatever you think you hear, please. It’s…it’s dangerous for you. I’ll find a way to help, I promise, but you have to get out. You have to leave. Dear, God, Leslie…
Ghosts were supposed to be accompanied by a chill, but all she felt was warmth. The warmth of his love. She shook her head. “I can’t ignore it,” she said aloud. “I can’t, Matt.”
She turned and started walking through the house, through the kitchen, to the servants’ pantry. She lifted the hatch.
“Leslie, what are you doing?” Nikki demanded from behind her.
“Listening.”
The crying sound floated faintly in the air, hollow, haunting.
“Are we going down?” Nikki asked.
Leslie spun around to face her. “Don’t you hear it?”
Nikki looked back at her and sighed. “Yes, I hear something, like a keening. But it isn’t real.”
“Not this time,” Leslie said. Then, decisively, “Come on. We’re going for that walk.”
She closed the hatch and started back toward the front of the house. Nikki followed her, questions in her eyes, but patient.
Leslie let Nikki leave first, then looked back into the house.
“Don’t leave me,” she whispered. “Matt…don’t leave me.”
She set the alarm, then closed and locked the door. “I want to go around the block, if that sounds okay to you.”