CHAPTER 6

The condo was without sound. Day to day to day, Angela hardly ever made a sound. The can opener. The dryer. The shower. Were they real sounds? They only lasted a moment and were gone. Just like Mitchell. She didn t go to work. She didn t watch television. She didn t read or think or make a sound.

Angela didn t know how long she had been a widow. The search had been called off, but she couldn t recall when. She attended the memorial service, although she had nothing to do with the preparations. Deidra or Mitchell s parents she didn t know who planned it. She didn t know anything. Her days were long and slow, without a sound, without Mitchell, without anything.

.     .     .

The rain came down hard, bouncing off the hood in spiky points and gushing down the windows like a high-powered car wash. She may have been at a car wash for all the attention Angela paid. She hadn t come up with one thought she wanted to dwell on. So she didn t. She didn t dwell. She didn t cry. She didn t remember. She didn t focus. Deidra called it depression. She left it to Deidra s judgment. Deidra told Angela to consider getting away for a while. Angela took it as a directive. She packed sort of. She filled two suitcases with clothes and toiletries, locked the condo and left. She didn t plan a destination, she just went. When her sister called to check on her before going to bed the first night, Angela didn t mention she d been on the road for three hours. Nor did she explain she couldn t meet her for lunch the next day. Deidra wanted to eat at one of their usual spots in DC. Angela was currently driving through Emporia, Virginia.

Angela drove. She stopped when she was hungry or tired or in need of a restroom. Sometimes she turned the radio on, sometimes not. She didn t recall tapping the screen. She didn t dwell on it. She didn t know what she ate. She survived by merely repeating to the server the first words she noticed on the menu, then she promptly forgot what she said.

She should have been surprised to turn into the drive, to stare at the antiquated bed-and-breakfast. She may have wondered why she came. She didn t. She didn t care why. She stopped the car and sat there, in the torrential downpour, facing the house beside the Enn without a plan, without a purpose, without a husband, without a thought.

.     .     .

Nolan saw the headlights and wondered who wanted what from him tonight. He waited by the door, anticipating the knock. After what he judged to be an adequate amount of time for someone to get from the car to his porch, he opened the door to peek out. All right, he said to no one. He opened the door wide enough for light to spill out. The visitor could see him waiting. Still nothing. All right. He stepped onto the porch. The wind blew sideways, pelting him with cold droplets. His irritation escalated. If this wasn t invitation enough, they didn t need to be here. If he came off his porch, they were getting the hell out of his drive. Nolan determined that as he stomped down the steps with his fists clenched.

Right away he noticed the plates. His mind made the connection as his feet pulled him through puddles with quick strides.

Angela watched him advance with distracted curiosity. He was barefoot. Belatedly, it occurred to her to roll down the window.

Angela?

Why are you barefoot?

Why are you here?

I don t know.

His brows furled. Do you want to come in?

She didn t acknowledge or respond, but robotically got out of the car and waiting for him to tell her what to do.

Concern surged to the forefront of his consciousness. She seemed to be oblivious to the fact they were getting drenched. Do you have a bag?

Two of them.

It only took a half a beat to realize she wasn t going to add anything. He had to keep them from drowning. Give me your keys. Her instant obedience prompted him to instruct her. Go into the house, Angela. I ll get your things.

Okay.

He had voice control. He spoke, she moved. Nolan popped her trunk and retrieved her suitcases, wondering what made her come to him. This dead woman.

.     .     .

She stood in his foyer.

Sit down, Angela. Nolan kicked the door closed behind him. I ll get you a towel. He watched her take a seat and wait for his next command. Do you want a drink?

Okay.

Relax.

She leaned back into the cushions.

He returned with a steaming mug of hot chocolate in each hand. She accepted the offered cup and drank in silence, unmindful of the heat. She stared out at nothing with flat, dead eyes.

What to do? What to do? Hmmm what to say? Nolan couldn t answer that question, but he contemplated it, flipping it over in his head as he watched the dead woman watching nothing. He noticed her eyelids were heavy and concluded now was not the best time for conversation. Finish your drink, Angela, and we ll see about getting you to bed.

She gulped down the remaining three quarters. He hadn t taken one sip of his yet. He got up and offered her a hand, marveling that it only took a second for her fingers to touch his. Her quick response intrigued him. Her mind had disengaged, but she remained attuned to him.

Back in his spare bedroom, he laid her down, tugged off her shoes, and pulled a blanket over her. He wondered if anyone knew Angela s whereabouts, but doubted it. I ll call your sister.

My phone is in my purse. Left side pocket. Angela closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Damn.

.     .     .

Deidra s sleepy voice answered on the second ring. Hey. What s up?

Deidra, this is Nolan Woods.

She raised herself into a sitting position. Pardon me?

Nolan Woods, from Stock Island.

Yes, I m sorry, Nolan. You surprised me. You have Angie s phone?

I do. She s here. Given the state she s in, I guessed you may not have been aware.

Angela s on Stock Island? Are you kidding me? I saw her yesterday. I talked to her today. She didn t mention flying down there.

She didn t fly, she drove.

She drove?

She s not functioning well. She may be in a state of shock. If you don t have any objections, I ll have my brother look at her in the morning.

No, no. That might be for the best. I m sure you re right, anyway. She hasn t been able to get past the search being called off. Well, whatever, I ll come down to get her as soon as I can arrange a flight.

No. Don t. He shook his head as he spoke. Don t upset your schedule. She came here for a reason. Let s wait until we figure out why. At least, wait until we see what Robert has to say. The change of scenery might do her some good.

Deidra thought about it. The exact advice I gave her. Of course, I wasn t expecting her to act upon it within the hour. But I don t want to put you out. You ve done more than enough for our family.

Nonsense, there s plenty of room. If it helps, it helps. That s what important.

Thank you, Nolan. And thank you for calling. Will you let me know what your brother says?

As soon as he sees her.

Thank you.