Read Online THE BRIDGE by Carol Ericson - Free Book Online Page A

phone and give me a call so I have the number?”
    “I’ll do that after lunch, and I have to at least drop by my place to pack a bag and get my school stuff together.”
    His gut knotted. “You still have to teach.”
    “One more week of school.”
    “Like I said, be aware of your surroundings.”
    She started her engine and snapped on her seat belt. “Thanks, Detective...Sean. Thanks for everything. I’ll call when I get that phone.”
    His gaze trailed after her little car as it scooted out of the parking lot, and the knots in his gut tightened even more.
    Of course she had to go to work and see her friends and live her life. He couldn’t follow her around the city.
    Even though he wanted to.
    * * *
    E LISE GLIDED INTO a parking stall at the Central Division and gave her rearview mirror one last glance. If anyone had followed her here, he’d have to be a ninja. She’d taken so many twists and turns to avoid the areas blocked off for the parade route, she would’ve noticed someone on her tail taking the exact same route.
    She flipped up the mirror cover on the visor and dashed some color across her lips. She needed all the artificial brightening she could handle after that shock at the bridge.
    He’d spotted her. Knew her car. Maybe he’d been watching her.
    She smacked the visor against the roof of the car. He was too cocky. Detective Brody—Sean—was right. The killer would trip up sooner rather than later with his attitude of invincibility.
    “Sean.” Just saying his name made her feel more at ease. He’d even secured a parking space for her in the middle of Chinatown on a parade day. Now, there was a man you could count on—not like Ty, filled with secrets, lies and betrayals.
    She slipped out of the car and walked down the ramp to the sidewalk. Red and gold banners festooned lampposts and flapped in the breeze. Elise navigated between colorful lawn chairs and blankets lining the sidewalks. She sniffed the air filled with the scents of incense, spices and fried food. A pack of kids jostled her as they ran down the sidewalk clutching flags with red dragons emblazoned upon them. Their grandparents shuffled in their wake, smiling and nodding at Elise.
    She ducked into the dark confines of Han Ting and surveyed the packed dining room. She and Courtney would be lucky to find a table.
    “Elise!”
    Elise peered across the room at Courtney bobbing up from her seat and waving in her direction. She wound through the tables and gave her friend a one-armed hug before sitting down.
    “How in the world did you get a table? Did you even know that the Dragon Boat Parade was going on today?”
    Courtney flicked her perfectly manicured fingers. “Duh. I grew up in Chinatown, remember? I know what today is.”
    “And how did you manage to snag a table? It’s wall-to-wall people in here.”
    “My auntie’s family owns Han Ting. Technically, she’s not my aunt, but her family and my mom’s family lived next door to each other in the old neighborhood.”
    “First a prime parking spot, and then the best table in the house at Han Ting. It pays to know people in high places.”
    “You got a parking spot?”
    “It’s a long story.” Elise dropped a napkin in her lap and poured herself some tea from the ornate pot.
    “Stop stalling and tell me what happened after you left me.” Courtney tapped her cup and Elise filled it with the fragrant green tea.
    As Elise relayed the details of the frightening episode, Courtney’s lipsticked mouth formed a perfect O and she clutched her napkin to her chest.
    “Oh, my God, you are so amazing.”
    “Amazing? I wasn’t even thinking straight. I just knew I had to get out of that trunk. I was also mad at myself for falling prey to his broken-arm scam.”
    Elise held her breath, waiting for Courtney to agree with her. She never would’ve fallen for that ruse.
    “Are you kidding?” Courtney dropped her napkin and gulped the rest of her tea. “Anybody would’ve done the