Free Sudden Exposure by Susan Dunlap Page B

…”
    Ellen shook her head.
    I didn’t break the silence.
    In Ellen, there was none of Bryn’s smooth, controlled movement so characteristic of the athletic. Her nods and headshakes, the abrupt reach of a hand gave her the semblance of Bryn with the top layer scraped off. Like she’d thought so much about Bryn, observed and pondered her, tried on her skin, that her own effect was evident only in reaction to her brave, demanding cousin. She drew back again, quivering softly in the gray sweats in the beige room. “I haven’t been here that long. And, well, we weren’t close before. So even though we’re family, she’s got friends who know lots more than I do.”
    “Who? The friends?”
    That threw her back farther. “I don’t know. I guess I mean she should have friends like that.”
    “What about a lover, present or past?”
    “No one now; no one she’s mentioned. She’s so busy and her schedule’s so peculiar. She’s so focused on her work …”
    “How long have you been here?”
    “Why do you ask?”
    I laughed. “Because I’m a police officer, Ellen.”
    “Lest I forget, huh?” She smiled but the movement looked forced. “It’s been about two months since I started here. Before that Bryn wouldn’t even admit she needed a secretary. Everyone else knew it. It took me three weeks just to deal with her unanswered correspondence!” Ellen laughed.
    The blue Volvo wagon pulled into the dirt space in front.
    The laugh was gone. She glanced from the window to me and back, and said in a quick near-whisper. “The thing I want you to know is that no one’s as perfect as Bryn seems. She’s got devils she can’t face. So when she snaps at you, it’s not because of you, it’s her. She can’t deal with being undone by this. You do understand?”
    It was Ellen I didn’t understand. Or what she really thought of Bryn, or of me. “Ellen, I appreciate your concern.” I did. Most subsidiary interviewees paid as much attention to my feelings as I do to those of the clerk who sells me my Snickers. I waited till she flashed a nervous smile. “Why did you go out the door when you saw me last night?”
    “Last night?” she repeated, looking beyond me at the car outside. “Bryn wouldn’t …”
    The car door slammed.
    “Bryn wouldn’t what?”
    Bryn got out and took the steps to the door in two bounds.
    Ellen jumped up and pulled open the door, ready for Bryn.
    “Ellen,” I said, “the question still stands.”
    Bryn strode in, chestnut hair gleaming, bright blue eyes glowing, shoulder muscles peeking out of a sleeveless Girls’ Team T-shirt that just matched her eyes. But when she spotted me her face hardened. It might as well have been a marquee flashing: I let you see me emotionally naked. Now I’m going to wrap myself in so much anger, blanket you with so many demands and accusations, I’ll entirely cover over that shameful incident. She flopped on the couch and glared up at me. “Have you interrogated Johnson?”
    “We question. They only interrogate in the movies. And yes, I’ve questioned some of your neighbors, including him.” I didn’t allude to the humiliated anger; she’d take that as poking her wound. “Has the guard started yet?”
    “No.”
    “When—”
    “He doesn’t. I’m not spending hundreds of dollars on a rent-a-cop because you real cops can’t do your jobs.”
    “Your choice. For yourself, your employees, and your customers.” I paused just long enough to air the implication of irresponsibility. “Then let’s talk to other suspects. I know you’re convinced Johnson is our guy, but believe me, an assailant can be someone so unimportant to you you don’t remember a name. But let’s start out easy. Ex-lovers.”
    “No.”
    “Think. Who have you dated in the past year? Make me a list. You can drop it by the station for me.”
    Bryn’s face tightened, but before she could retort, Ellen said, “I’ll get the calendar and your address book for you