Just Cause Read Online Free

the door. The grocery sack fell from her hands as she exited. She leaped down the steps toward her car.

TWO
    A man came out of the unit across the drive from Laurel’s, and she hesitated only a second. He was neatly dressed, in khakis and a plaid sports shirt. His curly dark hair had a sprinkling of gray, and he was talking on a cell phone. He looked up in surprise as Laurel dashed toward him.
    “Please call the police,” she gasped.
    “Hold on.” He lowered the phone. “Can I help you?”
    “Yes! Call the police, please. Someone’s broken into my apartment.”
    “And you are?”
    She gulped. “I’m in 357. Just call them. Please .”
    He looked across the driveway, then back at her, appraising her as he brought the cell phone back to his ear.
    Laurel winced. He was no doubt cataloging her wild eyes and hysterical demeanor.
    “I’ll call you back,” he told his listener, then broke the connection, pressed a button and spoke into the phone again. “Yes, my name’s Richard Hamilton, in Sherwood Apartments. One of my neighbors has had a break-in. Could you send someone out?”
    “Thank you,” Laurel said.
    He nodded and stayed on the line, giving the address. She went to stand by her car, staring at her open front door. The terror had receded now that help was on the way. She was sure the burglar was gone.
    He picked the wrong place to ransack, she told herself. Everything of value she owned had been stripped from her long ago.
    She heard footsteps behind her and whirled, her adrenaline surging. Hamilton was crossing the driveway.
    “I was just on my way out,” he said. “The police will be right here. Would you like me to stay until they arrive?”
    “I…I should be all right.”
    He nodded, and his concern calmed her a little. It was nice to know there were people in the complex who would help a neighbor in distress.
    “Should I call the superintendent?”
    She glanced back toward her building. “I don’t know yet. I haven’t been inside. The door was open, and—” She looked away. Kind neighbors would evaporate as soon as they learned her history. “Thank you. I’ll be all right.”
    “I didn’t get your name.”
    Laurel felt her lower lip tremble and she bit it, hating to give out her maiden name. He was staring at her. Surely he didn’t recognize her face? How much publicity had her case received outside New England?
    A patrol car turned in at the entrance to the apartment complex, and she felt light-headed with relief. “They’re here.” She managed a smile. “I appreciate your help.”
    He opened his mouth as though he would say more, but Laurel stepped away from him, waiting for the police car to draw up beside her sedan. Two officers got out and turned toward her.
    “Laurel!”
    “Dan?” She stared at him, stunned.
    “We got a call for a burglary.”
    “That was me.”
    “Again?”
    She winced.
    “Sorry.” Dan walked toward her. “Tell me what happened.”
    “Dan, I had no idea—” She broke off, eyeing his uniform with the city patches, badge and pistol. Alarm bells clanged inside her, even though it looked good on him. She’d been stupid to encourage his interest in her. A cop was the last thing she wanted in her personal life.
    “I was going to tell you. Can we talk later?”
    She nodded. “That’s my apartment. I came home from the store, and the door was open.”
    A female officer rounded the car. “I’ll go check on things inside.”
    “Laurel, would you like to sit in the cruiser while you wait?” Dan asked.
    “Do I have to?”
    “No. You could sit in your own car. It may be a few minutes.”
    She nodded and got into her Toyota without looking at him. Nausea engulfed her and she willed her heart to slow down.
    Dan stepped carefully over the apples and canned soup that had rolled out of her bag on the steps and went inside. After ten long minutes, the second officer came out and approached her car.
    “I’m Officer Alton. We’ve determined that