Page 55 of I'm Watching You

‘No, I’m working out of the Mental Health Services building today.’ She hesitated. She didn’t want to tell Nicole about the murder, because she didn’t want her to worry. But better Nicole hear from her about what had happened. ‘We had some trouble at the shelter yesterday.’

A deep crease formed on Nicole’s forehead. ‘What happened?’

Lindsay chose her words carefully. ‘Ruby, the Sunday night volunteer, found a body behind the shelter near the trash cans.’

Nicole lurched forward. ‘What!’

Lindsay held up her hands. ‘The cops have identified the guy. He’s a local attorney who apparently had lots of enemies.’ She skipped the details about the flowers, the severed hand, and the Guardian’s note. ‘It’s nothing for you to worry about, because it has nothing to do with you or Richard.’

Nicole’s expression grew more serious. ‘Lindsay, don’t patronize me. A dead body is something to worry about. How did he die?’

Lindsay picked at the chipping paint on her chair arm. ‘He was shot in the chest.’

Nicole blew out a breath. ‘Who was it?’

‘His name was Harold Turner.’

‘This isn’t good.’

Lindsay smiled, hoping to lighten Nicole’s worries. ‘It’s under control. The police are all over this case. I’m sure they’ll figure out who did this. And I want you to know that I haven’t told anyone that you’re living here.’

Nicole relaxed a fraction, as if Lindsay had touched on a secret worry. ‘Okay.’

‘This will blow over soon enough.’

Nicole looked skeptical. ‘What can I do to help you?’

‘Nothing. Everything is fine. If I need you, I promise to unload my troubles, okay?’

‘I’m holding you to that. You’ve done so much for me.’ Nicole shifted, pressing her hand into her stomach.

‘You aren’t feeling well, are you?’

Nicole’s skin looked sallow. ‘No. I can’t seem to shake this stupid bug.’

Lindsay studied Nicole’s tight face. She knew her friend was under a terrible strain, but some topics couldn’t be avoided. ‘I’ve been tiptoeing around this subject for a couple of days. But there seems to be no getting around it now. When was your last period?’

Nicole shook her head and held up her hands. ‘Don’t even go there. I’m not pregnant.’

Lindsay relaxed back in her chair. ‘So you’ve had a period recently?’

Slim fingers drew into fists. ‘No, but I’ve been under alot of stress the last couple of months. Things were getting pretty bad with Richard toward the end.’

Lindsay’s concern returned threefold. ‘How long has it been since your period?’

Nicole frowned, closed her eyes as she thought. ‘Two months.’

Lindsay leaned forward and clasped her hands in front of her. ‘Have you ever gone this long before?’

Hope flickered in Nicole’s gaze. ‘When my mother died, I missed one.’

‘But not two or three.’

‘No.’

Lindsay blew out a frustrated breath. ‘You need to take a pregnancy test, Nicole.’

‘I don’t need a test. I’m not pregnant.’ Anger etched her delicate features. ‘Richard said he wanted to have a baby. He said a baby would bind us together forever. But I was able to use some kind of protection almost every time.’

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