Read Online Cry for the Strangers by John Saul - Free Book Online

this morning?” Rebecca asked.
    “I didn’t see him at all this morning,” Glen replied.
    “That’s funny. When he didn’t show up for his breakfast I assumed you’d brought him with you.”
    “Did you try calling him?”
    “Of course. Not that it ever does any good. Well, I suppose he’ll show up when he’s good and ready. But I hope he’s ready by this afternoon or the kids are going to be upset. I told them you had him.” Rebeccashrugged. “It was either that or let them search the beach instead of going to school.”
    “Searching the beach might have been more educational,” Glen said.
    “Oh, come on, the school isn’t that bad. Maybe it isn’t as good as the one in Seattle, but at least both kids can go to the same school.”
    “And get hassled by the same kids.”
    Rebecca looked exasperated, and Glen was immediately sorry he had started in on the school. “I guess I’m the one who’s paranoid today, huh?”
    Rebecca smiled, relieved that there wasn’t going to be an argument. “I wonder what will happen if Clark’s Harbor ever gets to both of us on the same day?”
    “We’ll get over it,” Glen said. “After all, it may be rough here, but it’s not as rough as it was when Robby was sick. Whatever this place deals out to us, it’s worth it, just to see Robby turning into a normal boy.”
    “It is, isn’t it?” Rebecca smiled. “And it’s beautiful here on days like today. I’m not sorry we came, Glen, really I’m not. And things are going to be fine as soon as this place is finished and open for business. But the first five hundred in profits goes to put electricity into the cabin, right?”
    “Right. That should take about five years, the way I figure it.”
    Before Rebecca could respond, they heard the door of the gallery open and close, then a voice called out tentatively.
    “Hello?”
    Rebecca and Glen exchanged a look as they moved to the front room. Visitors to the gallery were rare. This one was totally unexpected.
    Miriam Shelling stood just inside the front door, her hands behind her, clutching at the knob. Her hair hung limply around her face and there was a wildness in her eyes that almost frightened Rebecca.
    “Mrs. Shelling,” she said quickly. “How nice to see you. I’m so sorry about—”
    Before she could complete the sentence, Miriam Shelling interrupted her.
    “I came to warn you,” she said harshly. “They’re going to get you, just like they got Pete. It may take them awhile, but in the end they’ll get you. You mark my words!” She glanced rapidly from Rebecca to Glen and back again. Then she lifted one arm and pointed a finger at them.
    “Mark my words!” she repeated. A moment later she was gone.
    “Jesus,” Glen breathed. “What was that all about?”
    Rebecca’s eyes were still on the doorway where the distraught woman had stood. It was a few seconds before she answered.
    “And we think we have it bad,” she said at last. “We should count our blessings, Glen. We don’t have any electricity and we feel a bit lonely, but we have each other. Mrs. Shelling doesn’t have anything now.”
    “She looked a little crazy,” Glen said.
    “Why wouldn’t she?” Rebecca flared. “What’s the poor woman going to do with her husband gone?”
    Glen chose not to answer the question. “What do you suppose she meant—‘they got him’? Does she think someone killed Pete? And they’ll get us too? She must be crazy.”
    “She’s probably just upset,” Rebecca said with compassion. “People say funny things when something likethat happens to them. And it must have been horrible for her, being right there on the wharf when they brought him in.”
    “But why would she come here?” Glen wondered. “Why would she come and tell us something like that?”
    “Who knows?” Rebecca shrugged. But she wished she did know.
    Miriam Shelling walked purposefully along the sidewalk, muttering to herself, seeing nothing. The few people who saw her