MARY CLARK - Every Breath You Take

Without waiting for an answer, Alex threw his door open and rushed down the street. Two policemen tried to stop him.

He spat out the words. “I’m here with Leo Farley.”

The officers waved Alex by.

He heard a woman shouting Tiffany’s name. In an instant, a sobbing Tiffany stumbled into her neighbor’s embrace.

But where is Laurie?

Unspeakable relief overcame him when he spotted Laurie standing with her father. An NYPD jacket was wrapped around her shoulders.

She was alive. She was safe.

“Laurie, Laurie!” he shouted.

She turned at the sound of his voice. When he pulled her into his arms, it felt as if they were all alone. When he finally let go, both of their faces were wet with tears.

“How did you know to come?” she whispered.

“Tell you later. My God, I love you so much.”

They held each other in the street, moving only to make room for the onslaught of police cars and ambulances that were arriving.

Leo came over to them saying, “You two get out of here. You don’t need any more of this. A car will take Charlotte home. The department’s going to want to question you, but it’ll be hours before they’re ready.”

Laurie looked between Alex and her father hesitantly. “Are you sure that’s okay?”

“Who knows the ropes of an investigation better than your old man? I’m serious: Go. I’ll make sure the powers that be know how to find you.” He patted her on the back, steering her in the direction of Alex’s waiting car.

“Our plan was to go back to the restaurant,” Alex told him. “Our table is waiting.” He said gently, “Laurie, are you still up to it?”

“Absolutely!”

81

I can’t believe we’re here now, after what happened tonight,” Laurie murmured.

“Neither can I,” Alex agreed as they walked into Marea and went to the table that had been reserved for them earlier. Alex could see that Laurie was still deathly pale, but the shock that had been in her eyes and her expression was beginning to fade.

The waiter came immediately. “The tortellini is your favorite,” Alex suggested. “Shall I order for you? And a glass of Chardonnay, of course.”

She nodded, her head still reeling with the memory of gunshots whistling past her ears as Leo yanked her to the side.

“I was so afraid Tiffany had been murdered,” she said. “I would have blamed myself.”

A brief jingle sounded, announcing that Laurie had received a text. She looked hesitantly at Alex. “It’s okay,” he said. “See what it is.”

It was from Leo. She read it aloud. “ Medics examined Tiffany. She’s OK. A neighbor took her to her house for the night. I’m in a car heading back to your place. Just spoke to Timmy who’s fine. ENJOY DINNER and don’t interrupt for any more texts! ”

They both laughed.

As Laurie spoke, she realized this was to be the special dinner they had planned. “I kept you waiting so long tonight.”

“Just long enough to go through hell when I phoned Leo, and he learned that something was terribly wrong.”

“He prevented Tom Wakeling from killing Tiffany and me.” She knew she was beginning to feel better. “It turned out well for all of us. We know that Tom Wakeling was his aunt Virginia’s killer. And I’m probably still in shock, but for now, I want to put it behind us. I think you and I were both looking forward to dinner tonight.”

“It was for a special occasion.” Alex pulled a small velvet box from his pocket and opened it. It contained an engagement ring, a beautiful solitaire enhanced by smaller diamonds on each side of it. Alex slipped down from his chair and knelt in front of Laurie as other diners began to smile.

“Laurie,” he said, his voice soft but intent. “I have loved you from the first minute I met you. I will love and cherish you all the days of my life. Will you marry me?”

Laurie’s smile was the answer as he reached for her hand and slipped the ring on her finger.

A smattering of applause rippled through the room as the diners nearest them observed what was going on.

Minutes later a beaming waiter came rushing to them holding a bottle of champagne.

As they toasted each other, they knew that at last they were about to begin the life together that they both wanted.

And needed.

About the Author

AUTHOR PHOTOGRAPH BY BERNARD VIDAL

The #1 New York Times bestselling author MARY HIGGINS CLARKhas written thirty-seven suspense novels, four collections of short stories, a historical novel, a memoir, and two children’s books. With her daughter Carol Higgins Clark, she has coauthored five more suspense novels, and also wrote The Cinderella Murder, All Dressed in White , and The Sleeping Beauty Killer with bestselling author Alafair Burke. More than one hundred million copies of her books are in print in the United States alone. Her books are international bestsellers.

© DEBORAH COPAKEN

ALAFAIR BURKEis the Edgar Award-nominated and New York Times bestselling author of twelve novels, including The Ex; Long Gone ; the Ellie Hatcher series; and her newest standalone, The Wife . A former prosecutor and a graduate of Stanford Law School, she now teaches criminal law and lives in Manhattan.

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THE ELLIE HATCHER SERIES

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212

Angel’s Tip