Dead Women Tell No Lies by Nora LeDuc Page B

didn’t know. She didn’t understand.”
    “Try to see or remember. Who’s coming? Is it a man? Is he tall, dark, young, old?”
    Rose grabbed his arm, forcing him to face her. “Lennox, Dahlia didn’t understand.”
    “Understand what?”
    “The man is coming to kill her.”

 
    Chapter 5
     
    “We’re out of this place,” Lennox said. “The Ledges gives me the creeps. I don’t remember getting the same menacing feelings when I was younger.”
    “Sorry to ruin your memories.” She kneaded the sides of her temple. “I need to go home and lie down. Then I’ll be okay.” Her gaze skipped to the old railroad trestle.
    Dahlia, dressed in her pink parka with her hair blowing in the breeze, teetered on the edge of the railing. The wind whipped her blond hair over her face. She stepped off the side and disappeared into the air.
    Pain stabbed Rose. She gasped and turned toward the path, blocking the image.
    “I don’t understand what’s happening,” he said, gripping her arm, “but we’re leaving. Lean on me, and don’t give me any guff.”
    It isn’t real. It isn’t real. Please, Dahlia, speak to me. The pressure of Lennox’s arm drew her closer to his warm, firm body. “I’ll be okay once I’m in the apartment.”
    “I vote for that one.”
    She stole a glance at the trestle. Dahlia was gone. Rose swallowed hard, her mouth drier than a month old bagel. On the trail, she crawled along at a tortoise pace to ease her aching head and used their earlier footprints as her guide. Lennox’s arm fell away as they walked in rhythm. She wished he could take away the hammering. The reality between herself and Dahlia felt off-balance, blurred.
    Lennox threw her glances but said nothing as they trudged through the lingering snow and the darkness of the woods. The path seemed to go on forever. She breathed a sigh of relief when they reached the road. Years must have passed since they first arrived. She wouldn’t be surprised to stare into the mirror and find her hair turned gray. She eased into the car.
    He sat silent, his brow wrinkling in apparent thought while she fastened her seatbelt.
    “You might as well spit it out, Lennox.”
    He expelled a breath. “I wasn’t sure who I was talking to when we were on the ledge.”
    “You and me both.” She gestured toward the road. “Can we go? I’m afraid the worse has happened. I’m actually longing for the lumpy sleeper in the living room.”
    The engine rumbled to life, and they were on their way. Resting her aching head against the top of the seat, she welcomed the warm sunshine on her skin and closed her eyes. The purr of the motor was a soothing constant in the background.
    “Rose. We’re here. Rose?”
    She sat upright. Her headache had disappeared, leaving a sense of exhaustion. Her building stood in front of them. “How fast did you drive?”
    “I’m sworn to uphold the law and the speed limit. At the risk of sounding like a bad echo, how do you feel?”
    “Tired.” An image of the gray boulder from The Ledges edged into her mind. She blocked the picture by fastening her attention on him. “Since my sister died, I never sleep without dreaming, until right now.”
    “Are you accusing me of being so boring you dozed off?”
    “Not quite, but since you mentioned it….” She pushed down on the door handle.
    “Don’t move.”
    “I was kidding, Lennox. You’re not bor–ing.” Her last syllable hung in the empty air.
    He’d jumped out and was headed for the passenger side.
    “I expect you’ll whip out the wheelchair next,” she said when he opened her door. “I appreciate your concern, but I don’t need a nurse. Let me walk to my apartment or I might believe I’m helpless.”
    “I’ll stay a pace behind just to make you feel healthy.”
    “You’re thoughtful.” She resisted rolling her eyes and fished inside her pocketbook until her fingers closed over her key. Rose held it up to him. “Ready.” She started toward the front