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“Because I like to know all the entrances and exits in a situation such as this. I wouldn’t be surprised if the next blackmail note Crabshaw gets instructs him to make the payment tomorrow night.”
“During the dedication festivities?” Amy glanced at him in surprise as she hurried to keep pace with him. “Why then?”
“Think about it. The library will be swarming with people. That means there will be a steady stream of traffic in and out of the restrooms. Perfect cover for the blackmailer.”
“I get it,” Amy said enthusiastically. “You’re going to stake out the men’s room, right?”
“Right. I’ll bet you can see now why I became a big-time private eye.”
“Because of the thrilling excitement?”
“Just think about it. Staking out a men’s room. Got to be the fulfillment of every young man’s dreams of swashbuckling adventure.”
“Yes, of course. I envy you.”
“From what you’ve told me, real estate has its moments, too.”
“Don’t remind me.” Amy smiled briefly. Then she frowned in the shadows. “But, Owen, I don’t see how you can be so certain that the note—” She broke off suddenly as one of the city trucks roared to life. “What in the world?”
Across the drive, a set of headlights flashed on at full beam, blinding Owen. He realized that he and Amy were pinned in the glare. And to think he had accused Amy of looking like a deer caught in headlights. This was the real thing, Owen thought. He couldn’t see what was happening. But he could hear all too well.
Tires screeched as the big vehicle shot forward. The truck bore down on Owen and Amy with deadly intent.
Chapter 7
Amy had barely registered the blinding light when she heard Owen suck in his breath.
“Damn,” he whispered.
In the next instant she felt his arm wrap around her waist with the force of a steel band. He lifted her off her feet and hauled her up the three steps that led to the library’s back entrance.
The truck engine thundered.
“Owen.”
“In here. Move. He may have a gun.”
Owen half-pulled, half-carried her into the shadows of the small alcove that concealed the doorway. Then he shoved her hard against the stone wall and held her there. She gasped for breath, dimly aware that he was shielding her with his body.
The city truck came so close to the steps that Amy was almost convinced it would plow straight through the back door of the library.
But at the last possible instant, it veered aside. With an angry howl it lumbered off into the night, a ravenous beast deprived of its prey.
Owen did not move as the sound of the truck engine receded into the darkness. Amy was pressed so tightly against the cold stone she could feel the grit on her cheek.
“You okay?” Owen finally asked. His voice was curiously flat.
“Yes. I think so.”
He slowly stepped back, releasing her. “Son of a bitch.” There was no emotion in the phrase. “He was aiming for us. You could have been hurt. Killed.”
Amy hugged herself. The unnaturally even tone in Owen’s voice was somehow more frightening than the near miss. This was a whole new side to the man. A dangerous side.
“An accident,” she said, grasping for a more reasonable explanation than the one Owen had concocted. “Some kid taking a joyride in a city truck.”
“Maybe, but I doubt it. I have a hunch that it was attempted murder.”
Amy was dazed. “You think that the blackmailer was behind the wheel?”
