Page 79 of The Lost Girls of Willowbrook

“The only thing I care about right now is finding out who killed Rosemary.”

“I care about that too,” he said.

They stopped at a red light and he peered along the shadowy street. “Where’s the store you want to go to?”

“It’s at the end of the next block. Johnny’s Superette.”

The light turned green and he released the brake and continued down the street. When they reached the superette, he slowed. A bearded man sat on the sidewalk, leaning against the ice chest next to the grimy front door and drinking from a paper bag.

“Well, that looks a little sketchy,” Eddie said. “Why don’t we go somewhere for breakfast instead?”

“No, this is fine. I’m just grabbing eggs and bread.”

“You sure? My treat.”

She started to refuse again, then hesitated. She hadn’t eaten anything but a stale cracker since her last horrible meal at Willowbrook and she was starting to feel nauseated. Going to a diner would be faster than lugging food home and cooking it. Besides, a free meal was a free meal. And saving money however she could until she had a concrete plan about what to do next seemed like a good idea.

“Come on,” he said. “You look like you could use someone to talk to. And a stack of pancakes with bacon.” He smiled at her again, his eyes full of understanding.

“I guess that would be okay,” she said. “I don’t have the energy to cook anyway.”

“Great,” he said. “I think there’s an all-night diner not far from here.”

“The Top Hat?”

“Is that the name of it?”

She nodded.

He grinned, then revved the engine and drove faster. “Do you like Pink Floyd?” he said, reaching for the eight-track player.

She nodded again and tried to return the smile. She couldn’t have cared less what he played.

“I saw them live in April,” he said. “They were amazing.”

He pushed in the eight-track and turned up the volume, then drummed on the steering wheel with one hand as they sped along the streets. Considering how reserved he’d always been at work, it was strange seeing this side of him. He’d seemed older at Willowbrook, but now she couldn’t help wondering if they were closer in age. She thought about asking him, but it didn’t matter. She’d probably never see him again after this, unless they had to testify at Wayne’s trial.

She leaned back in the seat and looked out at the sidewalks, at the dark houses and buildings passing by. Here and there, soft lights glowed behind windows, illuminating the homes from within. She imagined families getting up in a few hours to sit at breakfast tables and have coffee and talk, to read newspapers or do last-minute homework, like she and Rosemary used to do while their parents got ready for the day. But that had been another lifetime ago, when she’d had a normal family. Now she had no one.

With that thought, a sudden swooning sensation swept over her. She grabbed the edge of the seat to steady herself, certain she was about to faint. Sweat broke out on her forehead, and her chest constricted. She couldn’t breathe. The air inside the car was too thick, the music too loud. She rolled down the window and pushed her face into the rushing cold, trying not to hyperventilate.

Eddie turned down the music and slowed the car. “You okay?” he said. “What’s wrong?”

She clutched at her throat. “Can you pull over for a minute?” she said. “I need . . . I just need to get out for a second.”

He pulled the car over to the curb and stopped. She opened the door, jumped out, and bent over on the sidewalk, her hands on her knees. For a moment she thought she was going to be sick, but the feeling passed as quickly as it had come. Eddie got out and came around the front of the car.

“What is it?” he said. “Do you need a doctor?”

She shook her head. “No! No doctors. I’ll be fine. I just couldn’t catch my breath for a minute.”

“After everything you’ve been through, it’s no wonder,” he said. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

She straightened and wiped her fingers across her mouth, nodding. Then, suddenly roasting, she ripped off her jacket, threw it over her arm, and started down the sidewalk.

“Where are you going?” he said, following her.

She walked a few yards, then stopped, took several deep breaths, and turned back toward the car. “Nowhere. I just needed some fresh air.”

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