The Edge of Dreams by Rhys Bowen Page B

grudgingly. Daniel had never really taken to Sid and Gus, thinking them to be outlandish and frivolous, which they were in some ways. But he had never come to appreciate their kindness and generosity and their great love of life that was infectious to all those around them. I looked upon them as the sisters I had never had, and I couldn’t picture life without them.
    After Daniel had gone, I realized, of course, that he was right. Sid and Gus did tend to look upon detective work as an exciting game. And if they knew that someone had tried to kill me, I wouldn’t put it past them to shadow me everywhere I went. At least I knew I was safe in their house for now, and if a deranged man in New York City had really tried to derail a train to kill me, he would think I was still in the women’s ward in Roosevelt Hospital.

 
    Six
    Gus put her head around my door. “The lord and master has departed, so it seems. I heard the front door slam. I take it he was not pleased that we had sneaked you away from your hospital bed. At least that’s what we guessed from the way he came barging in and stormed up the stairs.”
    I gave an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry for my husband’s rudeness, but in his defense he was more frightened than angry. He had not received the message I sent him and arrived to find my hospital bed empty and a vague rumor about my having been taken off to a private clinic. He deals with some pretty ruthless characters, as you know, and was terrified I’d been kidnapped.”
    “Oh, I see. Then we’ll forgive him this time. I was about to ask him to stay for dinner.”
    “I suggested you’d be able to rustle up a bite to eat for him, but he was in no mood to be sociable. He has a lot to contend with right now, Gus. A difficult case and the commissioner of police on his back.”
    “He mentioned it, remember, when you came to see your house. And we volunteered your services.”
    “Not much chance of anyone in the New York police inviting me to help,” I said guardedly. “Besides, in my current condition I’m not much use for anything. I was so looking forward to moving back in across the street, but now I don’t know when I’ll be able to go shopping for all the things I need to make the house habitable.”
    “Don’t think about that for now. As I said, we can supply you with linens and dishes enough to keep you going. Then you can choose your own at leisure.”
    “You’re always so kind,” I said.
    “Nonsense. You and Liam are the closest thing we have to family these days.” She plumped up the pillow on my bed, not wanting to betray emotion. “Do you want anything more to eat, or maybe a glass of milk to help you sleep?”
    “Nothing, thank you. I always sleep so well in your house.”
    “Sid has some wonderful sleeping powders if you need one,” Gus said. “You might find the pain in your ribs wakes you up during the night. Why don’t you take one tonight, just to be sure?”
    “I want to hear Liam if he cries,” I said. “He’s been through the same traumatic event as I have. He might well have nightmares about it.”
    “We’ll listen for Liam,” she said. “And we’ll come and wake you if he’s inconsolable. I’ll bring you the sleeping draft, all right?”
    “All right,” I agreed.
    She soon returned with the promised cocktail. “Sleep tight. Don’t let the bedbugs bite,” Gus whispered as I drained the glass. I lowered myself onto the pillows as Gus turned out the electric light.
    *   *   *
    The next thing I knew I heard Liam crying and woke with a start to find birds chirping outside my window and the sky streaked with early-dawn light. I had slept a dreamless night and felt clearheaded and ready for anything, although I still experienced twinges of pain as I tried to sit up, and more pain as I lifted Liam from his bed, indicating that I wasn’t ready to be on my own yet. When I went to change him I realized, of course, that his clothes were all back at the