Free The Cradle Will Fall by Mary Higgins Clark Page B

yesterday,
    Molly had asked them both to dinner Thursday night-
    tomorrow—to meet Liz and Jim Berkeley. "She's the one who

     
     
    thinks Dr. Highley is God," Molly had said. Katie realized how
    much she was looking forward to that dinner.

     
    Again she looked down at her notes. Dr. Fukhito. Something
    was wrong there, the way he'd weighed every word when he'd
    discussed Vangie's Monday-night visit. It had been like watching
    someone walk step by step through a minefield. What was he
    afraid of? He had said Vangie left by his private entrance.

     
    No one had seen her go.

     
    Suppose she hadn't left? Suppose he'd gone with her or followed
    her home. Suppose he'd realized that she was suicidal, that he
    was responsible in some way.. . .

     
    The waiter arrived to take her order. She made one final entry
    in her notebook: "Investigate Fukhito's background."

     
    EVEN before he crossed the George Washington Bridge, Richard
    knew that he should have canceled the date with Clovis. He was
    preoccupied with Vangie Lewis' death. He had missed something
    in the autopsy. What was it?

     
    And he was worried about Katie. She had looked so thin and
    pale last night. She wasn't well. That accident. Was it possible that
    she'd been hurt more than anyone realized? The thought haunted
    Richard as he turned into East Fifty-fourth Street and headed for
    Clovis' apartment.

     
    Clovis had a pitcher of martinis waiting, and a plate of crab-meat
    puffs fresh from the oven. With her flawless skin and Viking
    coloring, she reminded Richard of a young Ingrid Bergman. Until
    recently he'd thought they might end up together. But as he returned
    her kiss, he was acutely aware that he'd never worry about
    Clovis the way he was now worrying about Katie.

     
    He realized Clovis was talking to him as she filled two glasses.
    "... and I just got home. So I fixed the drinks and figured you could
    relax while I get dressed. Hey, are you listening to me?"

     
    Richard accepted the drink and smiled apologetically. "I'm
    sorry. Do you mind if I make some calls while you get ready?"
    "Go ahead and dial away," She picked up her glass and started
    toward the hall that led into the bedroom and bath.
    Richard took out his credit card and dialed the operator. He

     
     
    gave his account number and the call went through. The phone
    rang a dozen times before he gave up. Katie wasn't home.

     
    Next he tried Molly's house. But Molly had not spoken to Katie
    today. "She'll probably call me later. But I wish she was home by
    now. She should take it easy."

     
    It was the opening he needed. "Molly, what's the matter with
    Katie? There is something wrong physically, isn't there? Besides
    the accident, I mean?"

     
    Molly hesitated. "You'd better talk to Katie about that."

     
    Cold fear washed over him. "What's the matter with her?'

     
    "Oh, not much. I promise you that. But it's nothing she wants
    discussed. See you tomorrow night. Don't forget."
    The connection broke. Richard frowned into the dead receiver.
    Then he called the prosecutor. "Anything going on?"

     
    Scott did not waste time on preliminaries. "The body of a woman
    was found in an apartment in Edgeriver. She was the receptionist
    Katie wanted to talk to at Westlake. Name's Edna Burns. We're
    heading over there, and we need you."

     
    "Give me the address," Bichard said.

     
    He wrote it quickly and hung up the phone. Vangie Lewis and
    now Edna Burns. He knocked on Clovis' bedroom door. Wrapped
    in a terry-cloth robe, she opened it. "Hey, what's the hurry?"

     
    "Clo, I'm sorry." Quickly he explained. He was frantic to get
    away.
    She was clearly disappointed. "Oh, of course I understand. Go,
    but let's have dinner tomorrow night. Promise?"
    Richard temporized. "Well, very soon."

     
    ON THE way home from the restaurant, Katie thought about
    the conversation she'd had with Edna Burns on her first visit to
    Dr. Highley. Edna was a bom listener. How much had Vangie
    told her? And how