Read Night Vision for Free Online Page B

Look, I know I’m asking a lot—that you’re very busy. But if you’ve got a few minutes someday and you want to get together, well, I mean, I’d be so blown away. If you want, I could send you some of my articles.”
    â€œLet me think about it.” Joanna took the paper and slipped it into the pocket of her cardigan.
    â€œOkay, sure. Gee, it was so great to meet you. I hope you have a wonderful time here. Thanks. I guess … I mean, I suppose I should get going.” She backed away, smiling, her eyes locked on Joanna. “Thanks again. Really, this was so cool. Like, just meeting you, talking to you.” She disappeared behind a dark maroon minivan.
    â€œUff,” said Cordelia after she’d gone. “The price of fame, I guess. The weird ones are always out there waiting to pounce. I wonder how she knew when your plane would land.”
    Jane thought it was a good question, but Joanna didn’t say anything. She gazed after the young woman for a long moment, then climbed into the backseat of the Hummer.
    On the way back to Minneapolis, Cordelia brought up the subject of David. “He’s in town, you know.”
    Joanna leaned forward, put her hand on the front seat. “You’ve actually seen him?”
    â€œI have,” said Jane. “He came to my restaurant last night.”
    â€œGod, you don’t know how glad I am to hear that. I’ve got to call Diego right away.”
    â€œWhy?” asked Cordelia, glancing at Jane with one eyebrow discreetly raised.
    â€œBecause David’s been missing for weeks. Diego is out of his mind
with worry.” Joanna explained everything she knew, which confirmed Jane’s initial impression that something was terribly wrong.
    â€œWhere’s he staying?” asked Joanna.
    â€œWell, he was planning to stay with me,” said Jane. “But there was an accident in the middle of the night. David went down to make himself something to eat. He must have left the faucet on in the kitchen because when I got up this morning, there was water all over the house. It caused some significant damage. David said he’d take care of it. He was really embarrassed. Said I would probably need to move out for a few weeks while the work is being done.”
    â€œWhere will you stay?” asked Joanna.
    â€œAt the Lyme House. My office has a big couch and a bathroom.”
    â€œNo you won’t,” said Cordelia indignantly. “I won’t hear of it. You’ll move in with me.”
    â€œNo, really—”
    â€œThe matter is settled. If you stay at the restaurant you’ll be working twenty-four/seven.”
    â€œYou’re exaggerating.”
    She held up her hand. “The issue is closed. Hattie and I will take good care of you and Mouse until you can return home.”
    â€œAnd David can stay with me,” said Joanna.
    Jane closed her eyes. She recalled what David had said. She was glad Joanna was in the backseat and couldn’t see her expression.
    â€œActually,” continued Joanna, “this couldn’t come at a better time. To be honest, I could use the company.”
    â€œAny particular reason?” asked Cordelia. Her nose twitched the way it always did when she sensed a secret.
    Joanna was silent for a few seconds. Glancing out the side window, she finally said, “Something happened before I left Sandpoint. I almost called you and canceled the trip.”
    â€œWhat?” Cordelia nearly drove off the road.
    â€œI didn’t, so don’t have a coronary. Look, I really don’t want to get into it right now, but it … unsettled me.”
    â€œBut,” said Cordelia, staring at the road ahead, “you will talk about it eventually, right?”

    Joanna turned to look at her. “You haven’t changed a bit, have you.”
    â€œPrurient to the core,” said Jane.
    A slow grin broke over Cordelia’s face. “I’m one