The Twisted Window by Lois Duncan

the recreational area, she found herself greeted by pink-tinged twilight, the astringent odor of chlorine, and planters filled with an array of flowers and shrubbery.
     
    It was immediately apparent that the area around the pool was a regular gathering place for the more social-minded residents of the Continental Arms Despite the fact that it was still early, the after work crowd had begun to congregate, and the patio had already developed a partylike atmosphere. Several people were splashing in the pool, and at least a dozen others were either sitting on the edge or relaxing in deck chairs with glasses and beer cans in hand. There was a lot of talk and laughter, and a portable tape player was spewing forth rock music as background for conversation.
     
    Tracy stood for a moment, absorbing the scene before her Was it possible that one of these men was Brad's former stepfather? If so, she thought, he must be much younger than Brad's mother. This attractive group of people appeared to be in their twenties and early thirties, and men and women alike were as uniformly healthy and trim as though their bodies had been cloned at a Nautilus fitness center.
     
    Shifting her attention to the apartments themselves, Tracy noted that the units at ground level were identified by three digit numbers starting with the numeral one Stairways at either end of the recreation area led to the second level of the building, where the higher-numbered apartments faced out upon a walkway overlooking the pool.
     
    The nearest set of stairs was situated next to the elevator she had ridden up on. Leaving the pool party churning behind her, Tracy mounted the steps and walked slowly along the balcony, counting off the numbers of the apartments until she stood in front of 204. A card inserted in a slot next to the buzzer read BRUMMER-TYLER.
     
    I don't have to do this, she reminded herself. I don't owe a thing to Brad Johnson. I can still change my mind and turn around and walk out of here.
     
    She pressed the buzzer.
     
    She could hear the sound of it, faint and far, at the back of the apartment. For several moments there was no additional sound from within. Then, just as she was preparing to accept the fact that no one was going to answer, the door was yanked open to reveal a shirtless young man with a towel thrown across his shoulders. He was barefoot, and his matted hair was glistening with droplets of water. With the hand with which he was not grasping the doorknob, he was cinching the belt of a pair of Levi's 501s.
     
    He did not seem disconcerted to find his caller a stranger.
     
    "Hello, there," he said in cordial greeting "Sorry for the delay, but you caught me in the shower. If I'd had any idea somebody this gorgeous was standing at the door, I'd have come racing out in a bath towel "
     
    "If you'd like me to wait until you've finished—" Tracy began haltingly, thrown off balance by such an enthusiastic welcome
     
    "Not at all. I'm decent now, and if it will make you feel more comfortable, I'll even put on a shirt and shoes in your honor Why don't you start by telling me who you are? After that, you can come in and give me the story of your life "
     
    "My name's Tracy Lloyd," said Tracy. "I'm a new neighbor of yours. I just wanted to ask if it would be possible for me to use your phone."
     
    "No problem about that. Beautiful ladies are always welcome here. I'm Jim Tyler." The man thrust out a damp, freckled hand for Tracy to shake. "I was certain I hadn't seen you around here before. Did you just move in?"
     
    "This morning," Tracy told him. "I haven't had time yet to get a phone installed. In fact, the call I need to make is to the telephone company."
     
    "Be my guest." Jim Tyler stepped back from the doorway and motioned her in.
     
    She stepped past him into the living room and glanced about her, half expecting to find a blond child curled up on the sofa. Instead, she saw a pile of newspapers and a copy of TV Guide. The room was