Read The Waiting Game for Free Online Page A

want to make a living doing."
    "It would take a long time to build a clientele," Sara said slowly.
    "I know the feeling. It will take a long time to build a writing career."
    "But I do have some good contacts who would be glad to recommend me to companies looking for a consultant," Sara went on more enthusiastically.
    "And I’ve sold my first book. Sounds like we both have a toehold on the future," Adrian said with the first hint of a smile that day.
    Sara grinned. "Assuming we both don’t wind up in jail because one of Uncle Lowell’s neighbors sees us breaking into his cottage!"

    It was shortly after noon by the time Adrian pulled into the drive of Lowell Kincaid’s mountain cabin.
    They had stopped for lunch at a small roadside café en route.
    The weatherworn house was one of a number of such cottages scattered about the forested landscape.
    Many were filled with summer visitors but a few, such as the one just over the next rise, were owned by permanent residents. Lowell Kincaid liked his privacy, however, and had purchased a cottage that was not within sight of the next house. Unless his nearest neighbor happened by on a casual walk, no one would notice two people jimmying the back window, Sara told herself.
    "Have you ever done this before?" Adrian asked blandly as he climbed out of the BMW and stood surveying the cottage.
    "I got into your place, didn’t I?" Sara reminded him.
    "The front door was unlocked, remember?"
    "You should probably start locking it," she told him seriously.
    "You can’t be too careful these days.’’
    "I’ll try to remember to do it," he said dryly. "Now, about this little business…"
    "Well, I’ll admit I have no direct experience of prying open a window, but how hard can it be? People break into houses all the time."
    "And occasionally get shot doing so."
    Sara gave him a bright smile. "Maybe we should knock on the front door first, just to make certain no one’s home."
    "Good idea."
    Adrian strode to the front door of the cottage and pounded loudly. There was no response. There was also no sign of Lowell’s car.
    "Looks like we’ll have to do this the hard way," Adrian observed morosely. "We’ll probably wreck the window and Lowell will send me the bill."
    Sara started around the corner of the house looking for a window at the right height and of the right size. "Don’t be so pessimistic. I brought you along to help and to lend moral support, not to paint a picture of doom and gloom."
    "It’s just that I have this image of Lowell coming home and finding his window broken. He won’t be pleased."
    "I’ll leave a note," Sara offered as she stopped in front of an appropriate window. "What do you think about this one?"
    Adrian frowned and stepped forward to examine it more closely. "I guess it’s as good as any of the others. We’ll need something to jimmy it with. Maybe the jack handle in the car. I’ll go see what I can find." He swung around and then halted abruptly, staring at the next window on the side of the cottage.
    "Well, hell."
    "What’s wrong?" Sara turned to follow his gaze. "I don’t…"
    "Looks like someone else has been here ahead of us," Adrian said softly.
    Sara peered more intently. "Do you really think…oh." For the first time she felt a distinct chill of unease. It was obvious the window had been crudely but effectively forced open. The frame was badly marked from whatever instrument had been used, and the window itself was still half raised.
    "Vandals?"
    Adrian was examining the damage. He didn’t look around. "Surely you’re not going to be satisfied with the notion that a couple of young punks broke into your uncle’s house. Not after all the exotic mischief and mayhem you’ve been imagining."
    "Don’t be sarcastic. What are you doing?"
    "I’m going inside to have a look." Adrian shoved the window completely open and casually swung a leg over the sill.
    "Wait!" Sara grabbed for his arm. "What if someone’s still in there?" she hissed.
    He