Read Online Night Vision by Ellen Hart - Free Book Online Page B

his fingers on the steering wheel. Jane had called him about Joanna. Maybe it was pure selfishness, but everything that had happened since coming to Minnesota felt so thwarting.
    When Jane mentioned that Diego had called Joanna yesterday, sounding frantic, David felt something crack apart inside. He’d left Atlanta in order to protect Diego, but in the process, he’d hurt him badly. He’d acted impulsively, damaging, perhaps destroying, the one thing on earth he valued more than any other. He prayed Diego would forgive him, not that he deserved it. Maybe it was better if Diego blew up and called it quits. More than anything else, David didn’t want to cause him any more pain, and if they stayed together, that’s all he could promise.
    Flipping open his cell phone, David saw that his mailbox was full. He’d turned it off when he left Atlanta. Scrolling through the messages, he noted that some were from his business partner, but most were from Diego. David had recharged the battery last night but hadn’t switched it back on until this moment.
    Tapping in Diego’s number, he waited. He had no idea what he
would say. Maybe he’d just let Diego scream at him. That would be easy enough. The prospect of being screamed at by someone other than himself was oddly appealing.
    Diego’s voice came across the line midway through the third ring. “David?”
    â€œYeah, it’s me.”
    Silence.
    â€œHi,” said David, telling himself to breathe.
    â€œWhere are you? Why didn’t you return any of my phone calls?” Diego’s voice cracked on the last word.
    David pressed his fingers to his eyes. “I’m in Minneapolis.”
    â€œMinneapolis? What on earth are you doing there?” He let fly with a burst of Spanish invective. “I’ve been out of my mind with worry!”
    â€œI know. I’m sorry.”
    â€œYou’re sorry ?” Again, he swore in Spanish. “You damn sure better have more to say than I’m sorry. Tell me what is going on!”
    â€œYou know what it was like for me before I left. I thought I was losing it.”
    â€œInsomnia happens, David. It can be a really bad problem for some. But you could have gone to a doctor. Got a prescription. They have stuff to help you, that’s what they’re there for! A few good nights’ rest and you would be okay.”
    â€œIt’s not that simple.”
    â€œOkay, maybe I’m oversimplifying. But to leave without telling me—”
    â€œI was afraid.”
    â€œOf me? Because of the argument we had?”
    David leaned his head back. “God, no, not you. Never you.”
    â€œDo you know what you put me through? Do you have any idea how worried I was?”
    â€œDiego, listen to me. I promise I’ll be home soon. Just give me a couple more weeks.”
    â€œWeeks?” More swearing. “Why should I? Maybe I should change all the locks, toss your clothes out on the street. Would you like that? You deserve no better!”

    â€œI know. I’m not arguing with you.”
    â€œYou get on a plane and come home. Now. Tonight!”
    â€œI can’t. Joanna’s in trouble.”
    â€œWhat trouble?”
    â€œRemember Gordon Luberman? She thinks he may be stalking her again. She’s in terrible shape.”
    â€œI just talked to her yesterday. She was fine.”
    â€œWell, she isn’t today. She asked me to stay with her until this gets sorted out. I couldn’t say no.” It was an excuse, and not exactly the truth, but it was all he had.
    â€œYou are acting so crazy, David, I don’t know what to say, what to believe.”
    Diego’s words felt like darts hitting his skin. “Call Joanna. She’ll tell you it’s the truth. Look, just give me a little more time. I owe it to my sister to stand by her.”
    â€œWill you call me? Will you come home as soon as you can?”
    â€œI