Spencerville

Europe, or wherever without trying to fit me into your plans. No, I’m not being sulky, I’m finally thinking about what’s best for you.”
    Keith was pretty sure he knew the gist of the next paragraph, but read it anyway. “Maybe we both need some time to think and to let things cool off. We waited this long, so maybe we can wait a few more weeks. It would probably be a good idea if you left—not that I want you to leave, but, with the situation with Cliff, it might be best. As we’ve done for twenty years, you can contact me through Terry, and we’ll work out a time and place to meet and talk it over—but not for a while. I know, you’re probably angry that I didn’t wait, but I couldn’t handle it—sorry. And yes, I’m a lousy letter writer, and I can’t write what I feel, but you know how I feel, Mr. Landry, and I’ll tell you again when we meet. Love, Annie.”
    Keith folded the letter and put it in his pocket.
    Terry came upstairs into the kitchen and glanced at him as she got the coffeepot off the counter. “Another cup?”
    “No, thanks.” He stood. “Well, thank you again. When you see Annie, tell her I’ll be leaving Monday.”
    “You’re leaving? Where are you going?”
    “I’m not sure yet, but I’ll contact her through you, if I may.”
    “Okay… hey, let me call her. She’s got a car phone, and maybe she’s on the road, and I’ll tell her you’re here.”
    “That’s okay. It’s getting late.” Keith moved to the door.
    “You want to leave her a note?”
    “No, I’ll write and send it here.”
    Terry walked out with him. She said, “I don’t know what she wrote, but I know what she feels. Maybe you shouldn’t pay a lot of attention to that letter.”
    “The letter was okay.”
    “I don’t think so. Hey, what’s wrong with you two?”
    Keith smiled. “Bad luck, lousy timing.” He got into the Blazer and rolled down the window. “We’ll work it out.”
    “You came real close to doing that this time.” She put her hand on the car door and said, “Keith, I know my sister, and I wouldn’t tell this to another soul except you… she’s frightened. She had a bad week with him.”
    “Do you think she’s in any danger?”
    “She didn’t think so, but… I think it got to be too much for her this morning. She started getting worried about you… so she called up at their lodge in Michigan, and he answered the phone, and she hung up. She felt better knowing he was there and not around here. Just the same, about an hour later, she said she was going home. That was about two hours before you got here. I’m surprised you didn’t pass each other.”
    “I took another route.”
    “She probably went past your place.”
    “Maybe.”
    “Try to speak to her before you leave. She needs to hear from you.”
    “That’s not easy.”
    “I’ll drive out to see her tomorrow. I know I can’t call her on the phone. But I’ll stop by after church and get her alone somehow. I’ll work out a meeting for you two.”
    “Terry, I really appreciate what you’re doing, but she and I both need time to think.”
    “You had over twenty years for that.”
    “And another few weeks won’t make a difference.”
    “They could.”
    “No, they can’t. Let’s let it slide for now. I’ll contact you in a few weeks. By then, everyone will be thinking clearly, and we can take it from there.”
    Terry stepped back from the Blazer. “Okay. I don’t want to interfere.”
    “You’ve been very helpful.” He started the car.
    “You’re angry.”
    “No, I’m not.” He smiled. “If I tell you you’re as good-looking and sexy as your sister, will you be a real mid-western lady and slap me?”
    She smiled. “No, you get a kiss.” She leaned through the window and gave him a peck on the cheek. “Take care of yourself. See you soon.”
    “Hope so.” He backed out of the drive and headed back to Spencer County.
    Being an intelligence officer for twenty years had its advantages. For one thing, you learned how to think differently than most people, you played life like a chess game and thought six moves ahead, and you never gave away your game plan and never gave out more information than the other person needed to have. He could trust Terry, of course, but he didn’t trust her judgment. It was best for her to think he was angry or whatever she was thinking. He wasn’t trying to manipulate her, and through her, Annie. But Cliff Baxter had to be reckoned with, and the