the row of patrol cars parked next to it.
âSpencerâ¦â
She shook off his arm. She felt as if she were on-screen, in front of all those headlights. âSo I shouldnât have been here, David. At least something happened.â
âHell, yes, something happened. And we could have found pieces of you all over this place in the morning.â
âItâs over, David. I just want to go home. Will you please leave me alone and let me go?â
She wrenched free and started walking again. He remained right behind her. She came to the wall and realized that the gates hadnât been opened, all the cops had jumped in the same way she had. She reached for the wall and found herself being assisted. Davidâs hands were on her hips, and then his palm was on her rump, pushing her up. He leaped up beside her, dropping to the sidewalk on the other side and helping her down before she could protest.
âMy car is over there,â she said, pointing.
âIâll follow you home.â
âThereâs no need forââ
âSpencer, itâs past two in the morning. Thereâs every need.â
âIâm sure I can get home safely. There arenât any more cemeteries between here and my house.â
âActually, there is one, that small one in the Grove,â he said with a wave of his hand. âIâll follow you, Spencer.â
âIâm telling youââ
âGod damn it, Spencer, I was Dannyâs best friend! I am going to follow you home. Letâs go!â
She stiffened her shoulders and started for the doughnut store. He followed. Cops were everywhere, calling out curious greetings to David, staring at her, the ones who knew her offering awkward hellos.
Well, she was glad of the cops. She remembered thinking that they were so far away.
And they might have been. But David had been there. And his car was parked right next to hers.
She ignored him, ignored his car. But as soon as she was driving, she knew that he was right behind her. And that he would stick to her like glue. Well, she was grateful. It was a big city; night could be dangerous.
In her driveway, she slammed out of her car and walked to the driverâs side of his. He rolled down the window. âGet in the house, Spencer,â he told her. âIâm not leaving until you do.â
âWhy were you following me tonight?â she demanded.
âSpencer, Iâm not leavingââ
âGood. Weâll just both stand here all night.â
She jumped back, because he suddenly swung his car door open. âGive me the keys.â
âDavid!â
He took them from her and walked up the tile path to her door, which he opened, then stepped into the house. He looked around the foyer and up the stairway. She thought she saw a small smile curving his lips, and she wondered if he was sniffing at Montgomery elegance, Montgomery money. The house wasnât ostentatious in any way, she thought resentfully. It was sleek, warm, inviting.
She held out a hand. âMy keys, David.â
He handed them over. âDonât forget to set the alarm when I leave,â he told her.
âIâve been managing on my own for over a year now,â she informed him briskly.
He nodded and turned to walk out. She was appalled at herself when she suddenly slammed a fist against his back, causing him to turn with a look of surprise on his features.
She swallowed hard, determined not to back down. âWhat were you doing there?â she demanded.
âI told you. I was following you, Spencer.â
âWhy?â she exploded.
He shrugged. âSly asked me to.â
âYouâreâyouâre working for Sly?â she gasped.
He hesitated for a moment, then shrugged again. âYeah, Iâm working for Sly.â
âAs of when?â
âAs of this afternoon.â
âI donât want you following me.â
âTake it up with