Page 8 of Speak No Evil

At the next station, commuters swarmed the platform. Guys with dreadlocks in T-shirts with slogans. Kids wearing tees with Spiderman images. Couples off for a Broadway show. Gwen’s shadow guy had vanished.

The train slowed to a stop. Will stood. “This is where we change.”

Everyone on the train flooded onto the crowded platform. They followed the mob out of the car, up the steps, down a corridor, and down more steps where they only waited a few seconds before boarding the cross-town shuttle.

He barely had time to grab a pole before the train lurched forward.

“Let me see the time,” Gwen, pressed against him, grabbed hold, her hand just below his.

He displayed his watch face and pushed a button. She took in the time, and he raised his brows in question. “How are we doing?”

“I’m going to have to run when we get to the station. But look—” She paused. “It was nice to meet…”

Gwen’s words faded as the train filled with more passengers. Will froze. He waited for the man in his sights to turn slightly, but yup, that was the same black hair and Zeppelin tee. And he wasn’t in this car by coincidence. Will’s blood simmered, and he clenched his jaw. Who exactly was he following? Him or Gwen? And why?

He leaned in close to Gwen. “Stay here.”

She glanced past him and her fingers gripped his arm as if he was a life preserver. “Why?”

“I’m going to confront him because I want to know why he’s following us.”

“Please, don’t.” She shook her head.

The train thundered into the next stop. This was their destination. He’d have to let this go—for now. He wanted to stay with her until they could be sure they’d lost the stalker. Would that be sooner or later?

3

Gwen rushed across Grand Central concourse toward the northbound trains, not looking back. She almost didn’t care if the rock star fan followed. Her only focus was on getting home.

She reached the stairs to the tracks and pounded down, heading toward the Metro North train. On the platform, she panted to a stop, breathing in the smell of grease and hot metal as she stared at the receding lights disappearing into the tunnel.

Will jogged up beside her, not even breaking a sweat.

She bent over, pulling in a lungful of air before straightening. “That was the last train tonight. I missed it by seconds.”

Will trudged up to the main concourse beside her. “Sorry about that.”

“We tried, and the subway was probably faster than any cab. I’m sure the passengers on that train are glad the rail operator is sticking to their schedule.” In the ticketing lobby she hung back in the shadows and scanned the floor stretching the long length of the hall. Her stalker didn’t appear to be around. “I don’t see him.”

Could she relax or would he pop up again somewhere? She hitched her tote straps higher and looked up at Will. She hadn’t wanted him to confront the guy on the subway and possibly get hurt, but maybe the long-haired dude was the one who should have been afraid. With his broad shoulders and ripped arms, Will certainly looked strong enough to take him on.

He dropped his gaze to her. “Me, neither. I wonder if it’s me he’s after.”

Gwen shook her head. “No, it’s me. I saw him when I was leaving the package shipping office in the Chrysler building. He followed me down the block. With at least fifty other commuters, true, and caught the same bus. I put it down to coincidence, but I was glad I’d lost him. Guess I didn’t.”

“Why is he following you?” Will propped his hands on his hips.

“I wish I knew.” She huffed out a breath. “At first, I thought he looked familiar, like someone I’d seen around the campus. Why would he spend two and a half hours chasing me around Manhattan for no reason? That doesn’t make sense.” Did the creep find her attractive and didn’t want to lose sight of her? She shivered.

“I think you can relax.” Will squeezed her shoulder, his brow furrowed. “I don’t see him around now, and I’ve been looking.”

“Good thing because it looks like I’ll be stuck sitting around here until morning.” She would have to call Leslie and explain why she wouldn’t be coming over tonight. Not a conversation she anticipated since she’d put her cousin off all week the same way she had Will. For the same reason: work.

Will, his blue eyes sharp under his straight auburn brows, reached up to swipe sweat from his jaw-hugging beard. “You don’t really want to stay here and wait all night.”

“No, but I’ll be all right. Some of the restaurants here stay open late. There’ll be other folks around.” She gave him a smile and took a step toward the food hall. “Thanks for your help. I’m sure you didn’t plan to spend all this time delivering the book for Erin.”

“Wait.” He put a hand on her arm. A little fissure of pleasure rippled through her that he didn’t want to say goodbye. He was frowning, though. She chewed her lower lip, holding her breath. “I’m responsible for your missing your train. I can drive you home, if you want.”

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