The Deep End by Joy Fielding Page A

… which he won’t,” Eve said quickly. “What about installing a burglar alarm? Now that Paul’s gone …” She broke off abruptly. “I mean, even if, even
when
Paul comes back …”
    “That’s a good idea,” Joanne agreed. “It would make me feel a lot safer. I’ll ask Paul when he gets here.”
    “Why don’t you just
tell
him?”
    “I’ll ask him,” Joanne repeated as the doorbell rang.
    “I’ll get it,” Eve volunteered, walking to the front door. Joanne hoped that Eve would excuse herself immediatelyand leave, but after greeting Joanne’s husband with surprising warmth, she followed Paul into the kitchen and leaned against the counter, watching them carefully and obviously going nowhere.
    Joanne felt a dull ache at the sight of him. He looked so handsome, so concerned.
    “Now what’s this about some guy threatening you?” Paul asked, coming directly to the point.
    Joanne haltingly explained the phone calls and the piece of newspaper that had been left on her car window.
    “Have you called the police?” he asked.
    “Eve just spoke to them.”
    “And?”
    “And there’s nothing they can do unless the guy actually makes a move,” Eve told him. “I’ll talk to Brian about it later and see if he can persuade them to do a little more.”
    “Where’s this piece of paper?”
    Joanne couldn’t remember. What had she done with it?
    “It’s on the coffee table in the living room,” Eve reminded her, leading the way.
    Paul took the piece of newsprint from Eve’s hand and quickly looked it over. “There’s nothing here about a murder,” he said.
    “That part is missing,” Joanne explained, feeling a sudden hollowness in her chest.
    “There isn’t even a page number,” Paul continued, a slight impatience creeping into his voice.
    “It’s page thirteen,” Joanne told him. “I know because I read every article on that page several times and there was that story about the roominghouse fire and that other one below it about the garment workers …”
    “This page could have come from anywhere.”
    “And the articles on the other side are the same.”
    “Joanne, I can see that you’re scared, and I’m not trying to minimize your fear, but don’t you think you’re letting your imagination run away with you just a little bit?”
    “No, she doesn’t,” Eve said.
    “I don’t know,” Joanne said, sinking into one of the swivel chairs. Was she?
    “Look,” Paul continued gently, “some crackpot calls you on the phone and scares you half to death. It’s only natural that you’d be a little spooked, especially now that I’m not …” He broke off, looking toward Eve.
    “I’d better go,” Eve said quickly. “Nice seeing you, Paul. Don’t forget to tell him about the alarm,” she added before she closed the door behind her.
    “What alarm?” Paul asked.
    “Eve thought it might be a good idea if I put in a burglar alarm system. Of course, if you think it’s too expensive …”
    “No, it wouldn’t be too expensive. The house is already wired for one. If it would make you feel better …”
    “It would.”
    “Fine. Then do it.”
    “What do I do?” Joanne asked, feeling foolish.
    “I’ll do it,” he said, “and call you Monday.”
    “Thank you.” They stood in the center of the living room as awkwardly as if they were unwilling participants in a blind date that had confirmed each other’s worst fears. “Would you like to sit down? I could make some coffee …”
    “No, thank you,” he responded quickly. “I have to get back into the city. Where are the girls?”
    “At a track meet.”
    “How have they been?” He paused. “Have they been giving you any problems?”
    “Not really. They miss their father.”
    “I know,” Paul said softly. “I miss them too. It’s very quiet without them.”
    “Lulu’s looking forward to tomorrow,” Joanne said, forcing herself to sound cheerful. “Can’t wait to see her dad’s new apartment.”
    “It’s not