Angel of Mercy by Andrew Neiderman Page A

was with her and Faye had a bad reaction to his sudden and unexpected appearance? That could get things off to a bad start. Even if Susie was alone, she wouldn’t appreciate being surprised like this.
    No, for now, he just wanted to know exactly where they lived. Later, he would let her set eyes on him in a casual manner. Then he would approach her politely and then… then she would be impressed with his determination and let him see Susie. That was how it all played out in his imagination. He nearly fell asleep dreaming about it, but he opened his eyes abruptly to the sound of a car passing and saw Faye drive in.
    She was alone. She parked in under the carport across the way and got out of her vehicle quickly. She was dressed in her nurse’s uniform and looked like she was returning from work.
    Must have done some private duty at someone’s home, he thought. He watched her go down a walkway and up a set of steps. Just as she reached the patio, the door of another apartment opened and an elderly woman stuck her head out.
    He watched Faye and the woman have a conversation and leaned forward when Faye opened her own apartment door, hoping he would catch sight of Susie.
    But he didn’t. He waited in his car for at least another hour or so before giving up because the elderly woman to whom Faye had spoken emerged from her apartment and gazed his way suspiciously. He had the impression she had been watching him from her front window.
    Spooked, he started his engine and backed out of the spot. He drove off without looking back and returned to his motel. He was disappointed he had not seen his beloved, but he was happy he had found where she and her sister lived so quickly. That had to be a good omen.
    It was all going to go well; it was promising.
    The fat receptionist was standing outside the door of her office when he pulled into the motel lot. She smiled at him and he smiled back. He had forgotten for the moment that he was dressed in hospital blues.
    The moment he stepped out of his car, however, she started toward him.
    “You working in the hospital?” she asked.
    “No, I’m… well, I did help a friend who works there,” he said quickly.
    “Oh. I got a friend working there, too. Her name’s Samantha Logan.
    We all call her Sam for short. She’s a black girl, about twenty-four.”
    “I didn’t meet anyone like that,” he said edging toward his room.
    “What’s your friend’s name? Maybe Sam knows him.”
    “Charlie Goodwin,” he said, holding in his smile.
    Dr. Charles Goodwin was the head of pathology back at his hospital in Phoenix.
    “Goodwin. I’ll ask her if she knows him.”
    “Fine. Oh, where’s an inexpensive but good place to eat dinner?”
    “What kind of food?”
    “Just a hot turkey sandwich or something.”
    She thought a moment.
    “Try the Village Deli of New York in the Sun Center, corner of Palm Canyon and Indian. Ain’t you eating with your friend Charlie?”
    “No. He’s got to work. Thanks,” he said’quickly, afraid she might suggest he eat with her.
    He stepped into his room before she could reply and waited by the door to be sure she returned to her office. He heard her footsteps over the gravel drive and then he turned away and began to undress.
    Faye looked tired, he thought. She must have had a difficult patient and a hard night. When he was naked, he sat by the telephone and played with the numbers, punching out the Sullivans’ number without lifting the receiver. Then he lifted it and pretended Susie had answered.
    “Hi. Susie?” he said. He imagined her saying yes.
    “I’m Arnold Ratner. I work in the hospital in Phoenix in which your sister used to special for patients.
    Maybe she mentioned me to you. She did? What did she say about me?
    Well, that’s true. I was very interested in meeting you. I still am.
    Very interested and I happen to be in Palm Springs right now. Do you think I can come by and see you, say tomorrow sometime?
    Anytime. Two o’clock in the