Blind Witness Read Online Free Page A

hush, because of the police investigation.
    She finally learned no one had been injured. That was what was important. She could go home knowing that, trying not to single out the fact she knew Mr. Clairbourne was all right. It wasn’t that he was more important to her than any of the others. It was just, she knew him, and she liked the way he treated her. Not like she was helpless or even incompetent at doing her job. It made her feel good. That was all it was. That’s what made her anxious about him, appreciation.
    Rachelle heard a bus coming but when it didn’t slow down until the next stop, she stepped back under the canopy of the waiting area. She listened to several groups of people walking down the sidewalk, and shifted nervously. This was the hardest thing for her, waiting when she couldn’t see what was around her. She wondered if she ever would get used to it, or the inkling of fear that something was going to happen.
    She heard the car brake sharply. It pulled to the curb in front of her and she took another step back. The door opened. Rachelle could barely hear the man’s voice offering to give her a ride over the roar of a large truck passing and the other bus leaving.
    “No, thank you.” She pulled back further and bumped into the bench.
    “I promise you, it’s no trouble.” This time she heard the voice clearly, without the street interference. “In fact, I wanted to talk to you.”
    “Mr. Clairbourne?” Rachelle asked timidly.
    “Sorry, I should have introduced myself.” He had come around the car and was directly in front of her now, standing close.
    “The truck passed, it made too much noise to recognize your voice.”
    “Of course, can I offer you that ride now?”
    “It’s not necessary. My bus should be here anytime.” Rachelle shifted, embarrassed.
    “Yes, well, it isn’t any trouble, and as I said, I really would like to speak with you. I swung by the answering center on my way out. The room was empty. I obviously just missed you. Please, let me give you a ride.” He reached out and took her hand. She didn’t pull back, instead let him draw her forward.
    “Are you sure it’s not too much trouble?” She wished she could see his expression.
    “Not at all.” He opened the door and held it while she settled in before closing it and going around to the driver’s side.
    The rich smell of new leather surrounded her with an added musky smell she was beginning to associate with Britton Clairbourne. It was a pleasant smell, not overpowering. She wasn’t good at identifying men’s colognes, but whatever it was, she liked it. Trying to get her mind off the direction her thoughts were going, she fumbled with her seatbelt, getting it done up about the same time he settled in the seat beside her.
    “All set?”
    “Yes, thank you.”
    “Great, you’ll have to give me your address.”
    She recited it.
    “You’re right on my way. I only live about five minutes from there.”
    “Oh.”
    “Yes, I have an apartment in The Heritage.”
    Rachelle knew the area where a group of charming old buildings that had been renovated into upscale apartments. She often admired the architecture of them before she lost her sight. “I heard they did a nice job on their remodeling. I always thought they were beautiful buildings.”
    “Yes, Steve did a wonderful job on them. Then again, his wife Cassie is a stickler for details.”
    “You’re friends.”
    “I’ve known Steve for years. He and Cassie met while he was doing the renovating. It’s quite a story. I’ll tell you sometime, but right now we have our own psycho to deal with.”
    ****
    Britt cursed himself for bringing up the trouble when Rachelle tensed in the seat beside him.
    “You said you wanted to talk to me,” Rachelle asked in a soft voice.
    “How about we talk over something to eat?” He tried to make the suggestion sound casual.
    “That’s not necessary.” Her head tilted away. The shy action caught his attention.
    “I