Read The Girl Next Door for Free Online Page B

organizing her mother’s research into a book?”
    “No,” he said, clearly unconvinced.
    Nina sighed. “I feel terrible.”
    “Don’t worry about it. It’s not your fault, honey.” He didn’t ask what would prevent
     Patrick or Jimmy from coming. He didn’t even seem surprised.
    It is my fault, Nina thought. I set him up for disappointment. I should never have
     suggested it. “But I feel so bad,” she said.
    Duncan nodded toward the foyer. “Never mind about it. Nina, there’s someone here to
     see you.”
    Caught up in her disappointment, Nina had forgotten that the doorbell had rung. That’s
     right, she thought. “Who is it?”
    Duncan hunched his shoulders. “One of your neighbors,” he said.
    A silver-haired man in a Ralph Lauren shirt with a sweater knotted over his shoulders
     came into the room. Nina recognized him as someone who lived in the building. She
     frowned and stood up.
    “Miss Avery?” he said.
    “Yes?”
    “My name is Paul Laird. I live in 10-A. I’m the chairman ofthe co-op board. Could I speak to you in private for a minute?”
    “I’ll be in my room,” said Duncan.
    “No, Dad, you can stay,” said Nina, but he had already retreated.
    “Sit down, Mr. Laird. What can I do for you?”
    The man sat down on the edge of one of the living room chairs. “This is difficult,
     Miss Avery, but I’ll come right to the point. You are staying here as a guest of Keith
     Ellender.”
    “That’s right,” she said warily. Because she and Keith weren’t a married couple, and
     the apartment belonged to him, the co-op board was privy to all their arrangements.
    “It’s come to the attention of the board that you have brought your father here to
     live with you, and that your father is a convicted felon on parole from the Bergen
     County State Prison.”
    Nina stared at him and did not reply.
    “The policy of the co-op board is inflexible in a matter like this. We absolutely
     cannot countenance this situation.”
    “Who told you that? Did Keith tell you?” she cried.
    Laird shook his head. “Although Mr. Ellender should have told us, if he knew. Shall
     I assume that he knows about this situation?”
    Immediately Nina realized that she could get Keith into trouble with the wrong answer.
     They had found out some other way. It didn’t really matter how. “No, I … this came
     up suddenly. My dad is just … staying with me for a while until he gets back on his
     feet. He’s … more like a guest here. I didn’t think I needed to … ask permission to
     have a guest.”
    “Does your father have another address?” Laird asked abruptly.
    “Not … as of right now,” Nina admitted.
    “Well, then,” said Laird. “it appears that he is living here. I’m sure Mr. Ellender
     will understand when he hears aboutthis. Naturally, he’s going to be informed of our decision. We cannot and will not
     have a convicted murderer living in this building.”
    “I can’t believe this,” said Nina. “You can’t do this. There must be a law against
     this kind of discrimination.”
    Laird stood up and raised a hand. “Now listen, Miss Avery. I am not here to debate
     our board’s policies. This is not your apartment. You have no rights in this matter.
     Either your father will have to find another place to live or you both will. You have
     one week to resolve this. Good day, Miss Avery.”
    He turned abruptly and walked to the door of the apartment. Stunned, Nina got up and
     followed him to the door. “This is completely unfair,” she said, as he stood in the
     hallway waiting for the elevator. “My father is no danger to you or anyone else.”
    “I understand you are upset,” he said calmly.
    “Upset!” she cried.
    “Nina,” said her father’s voice behind her. “Close the door.”
    Nina turned and looked at Duncan.
    Duncan shook his head. “Just close the door,” he said.
    Glaring at the man in hallway, Nina slammed the door shut.
    “Now come and sit down,” said