Public Secrets Part 221

The money's going to research a cure for exactly what Luke died of."

She paused, letting it sink in. "I can go with Johnno. Representing

you," she said quickly.

He looked up from the keys again, his eyes flat. Her heart began to

pound. It was a look she knew, and feared. "Anxious to get away, are

you, dear?"

"No." She forced herself to move to him, to touch a hand to his hair.

"I'd much rather you go with me." She gritted her teeth. "We could go

on down to the Keys afterward."

"Dammit, Emma, you know I'm working. Typical of you to think only of

yourself."

"Of course. I'm sorry." She backed off in a submission that was only

partly an act. "It's just that I'd love it if we could get away for a

few days. Just the two of us. I'll call Johnno and tell him I can't

make it."

Drew considered a moment. The benefit was the break he needed. He

intended to dump Birdcage Walk and strike out solo. He was the star,

after all, and the rest of the group was holding him back.

He needed big exposure, and lots of interested press. If a funeral

could help him along, that was fine. In any case, he wanted nothing

more than to get rid of Emma for a day or two.

"I think you should go."

Her heart nearly stopped. Be careful, she warned herself. Don't make a

mistake. "Then you'll come?"

"No. But I think you can manage one day on your own. Especially if

Johnno takes care of you. Make sure to weep copiously and say all the

right things about the tragedy of AIDS."

SHE WORE A simpLE black suit. Since Drew watched her every move, she

couldn't take anything else. She'd hardly need fancy duds for a spot of

mourning, would she? he asked. She was allowed a pair of black pumps

and an oversized purse that would. double as a carryon. He even

checked through her cosmetics bag while she sat on the bed.

Since he'd locked her pa.s.sport up, and taken her credit cards away -you

really are careless about such matters, Emma-she was totally dependent

upon him. He made her flight arrangements. A round-trip. He'd given

her fourteen hours of freedom. Her flight left LaGuardia at

nine-fifteen, and she was due back at ten twenty-five the same evening.

He'd generously allotted her forty dollars in cash. She'd stolen

fifteen more, feeling like a thief, from the housekeeping money. She'd

tucked it in her shoe. Now and again she wiggled her toes, felt it, and

was struck with excitement and shame.

She was lying to him.

Don't ever lie to me, Emma. I'M always find out the truth and punish

you.

She was never coming back.

Don't ever try to leave me, Emma. I'll find you. I'll always find you

and you'll be sorry.

She was running away.

You'll never run fast enough to get away from me, Emma. You belong to

me. You need me to take care of you because you make so many stupid