Chapter 20

Laura drove home slowly, trying to collect her thoughts. Her conversation with Robbie had unsettled her, possibly more than Ellen being attacked. There was a feeling of the world closing in around her. This case seemed to be circling her and yet she couldn't fathom why. Ligeia dead, Ellen attacked, some girl she didn't know killed for living in a house she once lived in and a woman she didn't know who'd once called her home.

She was worried. If Robbie couldn't connect the links, was she in danger also? More importantly, was Matty? At the light she extracted her mobile from her purse, pressing the speed dial button for her brother.

She could tell he was distracted when he answered, "Am I catching you at a bad time?"

"A bit, I was in a meeting. But you never call during the day, has something happened?"

"Ellen was attacked."

"When, where?"

"This morning, she was out for a walk. We'd had a fight and I threw her out…"

"Laura, you can't blame yourself."

"Can't I, she would have been home with me. But I told her to leave."

"Is she OK?"

"Alive but critical. I've just left her at the hospital."

"What do the police say?"

A deep sigh escaped her, "They think it's related to Ligeia."

"Does that idiot Inspector still think you're a suspect?"

Pulling into her drive, she laughed, "He never really did. He's hurt, we're all hurt."

"Damn it Laura, you're doing it again. Excusing his crappy behavior."

"You're the second person to say that to me today."

"Who was the other?"

She smiled as she got out of the car, "The idiot Inspector himself."

Michael paused, not really sure where to go with her comment. "Why don't you pack a bag, come stay with me for a few days? I won't be there tonight because I'm stuck up north. But you have a key. I'll be back tomorrow."

"I don't want to be that far from Ellen. But I would like to send Sarah up with Matty, just until the case is solved."

"Laura, are you in danger?"

"Robbie's put a PC on the house. I'm safe enough. I'm just stretched a little thin at the moment. Having Matty somewhere I know he's safe will make me feel better."

"OK, let me move a few things around. I should be able to get home late tonight. Go ahead and send Sarah up with Matty."

She shook her head as she let herself into the house, "No, she wouldn't be comfortable there by herself. I'll send her up tomorrow after Matty gets out of school. That way you don't have to change your schedule."

"Laura…"

"It's fine. There's already a PC outside. We'll be fine."

"I don't like this, Laura. Can James come stay at the house with you?"

She shook her head, "No, they are full steam on the investigation."

"Go to a hotel. I don't like the idea of you staying in your house."

"Michael, I don't plan on leaving the house. Matty will be home soon. I'll keep him inside behind locked doors."

He sighed, knowing he couldn't change her mind. "Call me tomorrow when Sarah and Matty leave."

"I will. And, thank you."

"For what?"

"For not lecturing me too much about Robbie."

"You know my feelings. No use beating a dead horse."

She paused, silence lingered between them. "Ellen thinks I should move to London, leave Oxford. James agrees."

"And what do you think?"

"I think it's time for me to move on. And I don't think I can do it here. There are too many reminders."

"I'll support whatever decision you make."

The kitchen door opened, "Michael, I have to run. Matty just got home."

"OK, give him a hug from me. And, Laura, I love you, be safe."

"I love you too."

She ended the call and took a deep breath. By the time Matty came running into the room, she was smiling.