Read Online The Runes of the Earth: The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant - Book One by Stephen R. Donaldson - Free Book Online

Megan cautioned. “He isn’t what we might call a fan of yours. As far as he’s concerned, Berenford Memorial is just a liberal ruse to keep crooks out of jail. From his point of view, that practically makes you an accessory.”
    â€œI know.” Linden was familiar with Lytton’s attitude. However, she hoped that he might feel otherwise about Joan. How could he not? Beyond question he had played a part in her condition. For the sake of his self-regard, if for no other reason, he might be willing to protect her now.
    â€œCall me after you talk to him.” Megan’s voice held an undercurrent of anxiety. “I want to know what he says.”
    â€œI will.” Now Linden was in a hurry to get off the phone. Her urgency had shifted its focus. She needed to get in touch with Sandy.
    She was about to thank Megan and hang up when a new concern occurred to her: a possibility like a touch of foresight. Quickly she added, “Call my pager if you need to reach me.”
    Roger might call Megan, trying to enlist her aid—
    â€œI will,” replied Megan. “I always do.”
    Finally they hung up.
    Staring blindly around her office, Linden looked for some way to contain her primitive alarm. She had made it clear to Roger that he could only obtain his father’s ring by theft or violence. He did not know that Jeremiah existed. Nevertheless sheunderstood obsession well enough to be sure that her own claim on the ring meant nothing to Roger. Inadvertently she had placed her son in peril.
    A butcher shop—?
    Instead of calling Sheriff Lytton, she dialed her home number. Helpless to do otherwise, she counted the rings while she waited for Sandy Eastwall to pick up the phone.
    Sandy answered after the third. “This is Sandy.”
    Brusque with concern, Linden asked, “Is Jeremiah all right?”
    â€œSure he is.” Sandy sounded worried, troubled by Linden’s manner. “Why wouldn’t he be?”
    Linden could not explain. “Has anything happened this morning? Anything out of the ordinary? Phone calls? Someone at the door?”
    â€œNothing important,” Sandy replied defensively. “Sam called. He wants to know if Jeremiah can come Tuesday instead of Monday next week. I was going to give you the message when you got home.”
    Linden wished to soothe Sandy, but other considerations impelled her. “And Jeremiah?” she insisted.
    â€œSure,” said Sandy again. “He’s fine. Why wouldn’t he be? I’ve done everything—”
    â€œI’m sorry,” Linden put in hastily. “I didn’t mean that. Of course you haven’t done anything.” In fact, Sandy’s unquestioning regard for Jeremiah, like her cheerful attendance to his needs, was precious to Linden. “I trust you. I’ve just been worried about him this morning for some reason.” Trying to account for herself in terms that would make sense to Sandy, she said, “You know those feelings you get sometimes? Out of the blue, you suddenly think that something bad has happened to someone you care about?”
    â€œAnd they’re almost always wrong.” Sandy’s tone conveyed a mollified smile. “But that doesn’t make you feel any better. I know what you mean.
    â€œI’ll be especially careful today,” she assured Linden. “Just in case.”
    For a moment, Linden hesitated on the verge of telling Sandy about Roger. She wanted Sandy to understand her fears. But Sandy was easily frightened; and Jeremiah would not be better off if she panicked.
    â€œThanks, Sandy,” Linden said instead. “I appreciate it.”
    Abruptly she stopped, caught by the same anxiety which had urged her to insist that Megan page her. Without transition, she asked, “Is there any chance you could be on call tonight? We have a situation here that might need me.”
    If Bill Coty’s men caught Roger lurking