InSight

driver came up the walkway this morning and took her arm when he saw her with the cane.
    “Where’s Daisy this morning, Doctor Gallant?”
    “She’s at the vet’s.”
    “Nothing serious, I hope.”
    “No, James, thanks for asking.”
    They rode in silence for about five minutes. “There’s a car following us, Doctor Gallant. Been with us right from near your house. I noticed it while I was waiting for you.”
    “What kind of car, and who’s in it?”
    “If I didn’t know better, I’d be thinking it was the po -lice. Any reason why the po -lice would be following you?”
    Abby’s heart thumped. This couldn’t be a coincidence. “Someone broke into my house. Can you see the person driving?” If James gave a description of the driver, she could pass it on to Pete Valkonis, or maybe he assigned someone to keep her under surveillance.
    “Can’t tell. He’s too far behind.”
    “Can you tell what kind of car it is?”
    “I’m not good with cars. A while back they all started to look alike. It’s dark gray. That’s for sure. Or maybe it’s black. Can’t tell with the sun hitting on it. Might be dark blue.”
    So much for an identification . “When we get to my office, would you mind walking in with me?”
    “Be my pleasure.”
    Abby was spooked. She took out her cell phone and punched number six, Pete’s speed dial number. Fortunately, he answered.
    “This is Abigael Gallant, Detective.
    “Yes, Doctor. What can I do for you?”
    “There’s a car following the taxi taking me to work. He was waiting down the street from my house. Is it one of your men?”
    “No. Where are you?”
    “I’ll ask. James, where are we?”
    “Heading south on Main almost to the Pine Street intersection.”
    “Did you hear that?”
    “Yes,” Valkonis said. “What kind of car?”
    “My driver’s not sure. It’s a dark color, gray or black or navy blue.”
    “Keep heading toward your office, and tell him to go as slow as he can. I’m at my bank nearby. I’ll try to get behind you. Which cab company?”
    “Metro. Oh, and Detective, I received another email. This one said I’d meet the same fate as Daisy.”
    “I’m on my way.”
    Abby told James to slow down. He never drove fast, and now he was going so slow he might stall dead in his tracks. She heard a short siren, then the whooshing sound of a speeding car followed by a second speeding car.
    “What’s happening?”
    “Looks like your po -lice friend is chasing after the car that was following us. They’re flying like the devil’s chasing ’ em .”
    Abby couldn’t catch her breath. Whoever stalked the taxi was after her. By the time James accompanied her into the office, her hands were shaking so, the cane fell from her grasp. She heard Cleo’s chair roll back.
    “What happened to you? You’re as pale as a ghost. Where’s Daisy?”
    Abby thanked her driver and tipped him from the twenty slot of her wallet before collapsing into a chair. “Things have been very interesting lately, and not in a good way.”
    She told Cleo everything that had happened from the beginning. She never mentioned her relationship with Luke had progressed to a semi-romantic level, although she figured everyone knew. She also omitted the ethics complaint to the Board of Examiners. That would be in the open soon enough when the investigator interviewed everyone.
    Until that moment, she never considered that whoever made the complaint knew about Luke. All the people close to her were women, but the person in her yard was definitely a man.
    “I wish you’d told me,” Cleo said. “Troubles are easier to deal with when they’re shared.”
    “No, all that does is cause someone else anxiety.”
    “Well, you were there for me when my mother fell sick and Dick lost his job. Talking to you made everything easier.”
    “That’s different.” Abby wondered why she had such a hard time revealing anything personal, sure she’d chastise herself later for unloading. “Anyway, thanks for listening.”
    “What can I do to help?”
    “You’ve already helped.” She closed herself in her office, unable to concentrate on anything other than the person intent on turning her life upside down. She made it through her ten o’clock appointment when Cleo announced that Detective Valkonis waited outside and ushered him in.
    “Did you get him?” Abby asked.
    “Got him, but he doesn’t know squat. Someone hired him to spook you this morning and to make sure your driver