Read Early Autumn for Free Online Page A

started after him, but there was a policeman at the school crossing and when Paul ran back toward him the man got back into his car and drove away.”
    “And Paul came home.”
    “Yes.”
    “He didn’t say anything to the cop.”
    “No.”
    “He didn’t—I know it’s corny, but I used to be a cop—get a license number, did he?”
    “I don’t think so. He didn’t say anything about it”
    “And he didn’t know the man.”
    “No.”
    We were quiet. I finished the beer. She sipped some more sherry. I looked at her knees.
    “Have you told the cops?” I said.
    “No.”
    “You figure he had some friend of his try to pick the kid up? And the friend was overzealous?”
    “I don’t know,” she said. There was a little thigh beginning to show along with the knees. “He knows some terrible people. In his business he knew some very thuggy-looking people. I’m sure it was one of them.”
    “Wide lapels? Dark shirts? White ties? Big hats?”
    “I’m serious,” she said. “I think he knew some people on the wrong side of the law. Maybe he was on the wrong side sometimes himself.”
    “Why do you think so?”
    “Oh, I don’t know, just a sense. The kind of people he was with. How secretive he sometimes was.” She spread her hands. “Just a sense. Would you like another beer?”
    “Sure.”
    She went to the kitchen and got me one and popped the top for me and brought it to me. Then she poured herself another glass of sherry.
    “Do you have a plan?” I said.
    She was standing now with her legs apart and one hand on her hip looking at me.
Vogue
magazine.
    “A plan?”
    “You know, for me. What do you want me to do?”
    “I want you to stay here with us,” she said.
    “Damn,” I said. “You’re the fifth beautiful woman today to ask me that.”
    “I want you to guard Paul and, the truth, me too. I don’t know what Mel might do.”
    “Are you suggesting that he’s capable of anything?”
    “Yes. He is. I know you’re laughing at me, but you don’t know him. I’m afraid.”
    She sat on the edge of the chair, her knees pressed together, her hands, one of them holding the sherry, were pressed together on top of her knees. She leaned forward toward me and moistened her bottom lip with the tip of her tongue. Vulnerable.
    “You want me to move right in here and spend the night and all?”
    She lowered her eyes. “Yes,” she said.
    “That’s quite expensive. That means you pay me twenty-four hours a day.”
    “That’s all right, I have money. I don’t care. I need someone here.”
    “For how long?” I said.
    She looked startled. “I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it.”
    “I can’t stay here till the boy’s twenty-one. Guarding is a temporary measure, you know. You’ll have to find a better solution in the long run.”
    “I will,” she said. “I will. But just for a little while. I’m frightened. Paul is frightened. We need a man here.”
    I looked past her and at the head of the stairs, in shadow, Paul stood listening. We looked at each other. Then he tinned and disappeared. I looked back at his mother.
    She raised her eyes. “Will you stay?” she said.
    “Sure. I’ll have to go home and pack a bag.”
    “We’ll come with you,” she said. She was smiling. “Paul and I will ride along. I’d love to see where you live anyway.”
    “Well, I’ve got a sports car. There’s only room for two in it.”
    “We’ll take my car,” she said. “That way we’ll be safe with you. And we can stop and get dinner on the way back. Or would you like a home-cooked meal? Poor man, you probably eat out all the time. Are you married? No, you’re not, are you. I think I knew that.” She called up the stairs. “Paul. Paul, come down. Mr. Spenser is going to stay with us.” She drank the rest of her sherry.
    “We can get a sandwich or something on the way,” I said.
    “No. When we get back I’ll cook supper for you. No argument … Paul, come on, we’re going to get some of