The anonymous text from the night before, like the anonymous note in her studio, also threatened Sam. So the second part of the plan was to keep him away from what she was doing, to keep him safe. She didn’t know what would happen if Sam found out what she was doing. It could end any chance she had for a future with him but she didn’t care. He had to be out of harm’s way. And she was the only person who could make that happen.
She answered the text. Said she had what the sender demanded but it would take her a couple of days to get it. Then she’d deliver it someplace public. As long as he left them alone.
One more text and she’d head for her beach house where she’d be out of everyone’s reach, even Sam’s. Especially Sam’s. She didn’t know how much longer she could keep what she knew from him.
• • •
Sam picked up a message as he was walking up the steps into Central Precinct. It was from Amanda, canceling their dinner.
He went back down to the sidewalk, crossed the street to the park, and called her. He expected her to avoid answering but, surprisingly, she picked up.
“Amanda, I apologize for the way I left things last night. I’m sorry. I handled it badly.”
“Did you get my text?
“A text message? Ah … what did it say?”
“I need to cancel tonight.”
“I upset you. Let’s talk.”
“That’s not it. I’m not feeling — I mean, I think maybe Chihuly’s sick.”
“Can I help you take him to the emergency vet clinic?”
“No, I just need to stay with him.”
“I’ll bring over take-out. You have to eat.”
“He’s not good with anyone other than me when he’s feeling bad.”
“Maybe we can have dinner tomorrow, after you see how he does. Will you call and tell me how things go?”
“Sure. I’ll call.”
“Amanda, I … ” But he was talking to a dead phone.
He tried all weekend to get in touch with her. There was no response. When he drove by her house and her Highlander was gone, he went to the studio. She wasn’t there, either, and Giles said he hadn’t seen her.
Sam left notes, called, texted, emailed, patrolled her street looking for her. Nothing. Where the hell was she?
• • •
Monday morning, Amanda drove back from the coast and went directly to her bank. Her banker was concerned at the size of the withdrawal she wanted and politely asked what she was planning to do with it. A real estate deal, she said, with an eccentric old man who wanted cash. The banker knew she had a number of real estate investments so he reluctantly agreed. But it would take a couple days to get the cash.
• • •
Sam was waiting for the elevator when the door opened and Danny Hartmann got out, a paper cup in her hand. “Welcome to Monday,” she said. “Have a good weekend?” She held the door for him.