Weep No More My Lady Read Online Free

for Leila.”
    In the end, embarrassed at his obvious contempt for her naïveté, Elizabeth agreed to call off the trip, promised that instead she’d go to East Hampton and there either visit friends or stay in a hotel.
    â€œWhether you’re alone or with someone, be careful,” Murphy told her. Now that he had gotten his way, he attempted a smile; but it froze on his face, and the expression in his eyes was both grim and worried. “Never forget that without you as a witness, Ted Winters walks.”
    *   *   *
    Even with the oppressive mugginess, Elizabeth decided to walk home. She felt like one of those punching bags that were weighted with sand and flopped from side to side, unable to avoid the blows rained on them. She knew the district attorney was right. She should have refused Min’s invitation. She decided she wouldn’t contact anyone in the Hamptons. She’d check into a hotel and just lie on the beach quietly for the next few days.
    Leila had always joked, “Sparrow, you’ll never need a shrink. Put you in a bikini, dunk you in the briny and you’re in heaven.” It was true. She remembered her delight in showing Leila her blue ribbons for swimming. Eight years ago, she’d been a runner-up for the Olympic team. For four summers she’d taught water aerobics at Cypress Point Spa.
    Along the way she stopped to pick up groceries—just enough to have a salad for dinner and a quick breakfast. As she walked the last two blocks home she thought of how remote everything seemed—as if she were seeing her whole life before Leila’s death through the far lens of a telescope.
    Sammy’s letter was on top of the mail on the dinette table. Elizabeth reached for the envelope and smiled at the exquisite handwriting. It so vividly brought Sammy to mind—the frail, birdlike figure; the wise eyes, owlish behind rimless glasses; the laceedged blouses and sensible cardigans. Sammy had answered Leila’s ad for a part-time secretary ten years ago and within a week had become indispensable. After Leila’s death, Min had hired her as a receptionist-secretary at the Spa.
    Elizabeth decided to read the letter over dinner. It took only a few minutes to change into a light caftan, fix a salad and pour a glass of chilled chablis. Okay, Sammy, time for our visit, she thought as she slit the envelope.
    The first page of the letter was predictable:
    Dear Elizabeth
    I hope this finds you well and as content as possible. Each day I seem to miss Leila more and can only imagine how you feel. I do think that after the trial is behind you, it will get better.
    Working for Min has been good for me, although I think I will be giving it up soon. I really have never recovered from that operation.
    Elizabeth turned the page, read a few lines; then, as her throat closed, pushed aside the salad.
    As you know, I’ve continued to answer the letters from Leila’s fans. There are still three large bags to finish. The reason I am writing is I have just found a very troubling anonymous letter. It is vicious and apparently was one in a series. Leila had not opened this one, but she must have seen its predecessors. Perhaps they would explain why she was so distraught those last weeks.
    What is so terrible is that the letter I found was clearly written by someone who knew her well.
    I had thought to enclose it in this envelope, but am not sure who is collecting your mail while you are away and would not want this seen by a stranger’s eyes. Will you call me as soon as you return to New York? My love to you.
    Sammy
    With a growing sense of horror, Elizabeth read and reread Sammy’s letter. Leila had been receiving unsigned very troubling, vicious letters from someone who knew her well. Sammy, who never exaggerated, thought they might explain Leila’s emotional collapse. For all these months, Elizabeth had lain awake trying to understand what had driven