I SEE YOU an unputdownable psychological thriller with a breathtaking twist by PATRICIA MACDONALD (bookstand for reading txt) 📗

did not give him a chance to pour out all his anxiety and his fears. She murmured her love and ended the call. She looked up expectantly at Frank.

‘You ready?’ he said.

Hannah nodded.

‘No bags?’

‘Just my purse,’ she said.

‘Let’s hit it,’ he said. He came around behind the wheelchair and put up the brake.

Hannah nodded, though her heart was pounding double time. ‘Ready,’ she said.

They discussed work a little bit as Frank drove her back to West Philadelphia. He told her that Dominga Flores was now out of rehab and staying at Restoration House and participating in his PTSD groups.

‘Oh, I’m glad,’ said Hannah. ‘I was on my way to see her when . . .’

‘Your accident,’ said Frank.

Hannah nodded. ‘Seems like years ago. Well, it’s good we got her back at the House. She needs that kind of support.’

‘She does indeed,’ said Frank. ‘When you get back to work you’ll probably have a chance to help her sort things out.’

‘If I get back to work,’ said Hannah.

Frank frowned. ‘Father Luke told me that your husband is gone. With Cindy. He said that was the way you wanted it. What happened there, Anna?’

Hannah shook her head. ‘Nothing,’ she said.

‘It doesn’t sound like nothing. It sounds like you might be in danger. Why did Alan agree to leave you here all alone? I’m really surprised by that.’

‘The most important thing is Cindy’s safety,’ she said.

‘Why is Cindy in danger?’ Frank asked.

Suddenly she felt too tired to try to explain. She shook her head and looked out the car window at the city streets, thinking about all the plans that she and Adam had made when they decided to move here. They would take Sydney to the theater, the zoo and the Please Touch museum. They had done all of those things and more, although they had always found it difficult to relax and enjoy these outings in the city. Some part of them was always looking around. Always wondering. They dreamed of a day when their lives would truly feel like their own again. Now, Hannah doubted if there would ever be such a day. In a strange way, she was almost relieved that Lisa had found her. No more running away. She knew that the next time she encountered Lisa was going to be soon. It was only a matter of how soon.

‘OK,’ said Frank. ‘I’m not gonna pry.’ Frank drove expertly through the maze of streets, and pulled up against the curb in front of Mamie Revere’s house. Hannah looked out the window, and then did a double take to see the For Sale sign planted in the patch of brown grass in front.

‘He’s selling the house,’ she said. ‘I can’t believe it.’

‘Who?’ Frank asked.

‘Isaiah Revere,’ said Hannah.

‘The councilman?’

‘Yes. He grew up in this house. His mother, Mamie, owns it. But Mamie would never leave this place voluntarily. She loves it. It’s her home.’

Frank shrugged. ‘You can get too old to be on your own.’

‘I suppose,’ said Hannah with a sigh. For a brief moment, painful memories of Pamela crossed her mind. She forced herself not to think about her mother, spending her life in that assisted care facility, her family vanished. She reminded herself that right now, she couldn’t be worrying about her mother. Hannah herself felt too fragile to be on her own. But it would pass, she thought. She just had to put one foot in front of the other. Daunting as it seemed, she reached for the handle of the car door. ‘Frank, I can’t thank you enough for bringing me home. And you and Kiyanna, for taking care of . . . Cindy while I was in the hospital.’

‘Kiyanna enjoyed it,’ he said. ‘I did too. Cindy’s a sweet kid.’

‘Can I speak like your big sister?’ Hannah said, feigning severity. ‘You should marry that girl. Kiyanna is a gem. Not that it’s any of my business . . .’

‘That’s all right,’ he said. ‘I think so too.’

Hannah smiled and pressed down the door handle.

‘Anna, hold it a minute,’ said Frank.

Hannah turned to look at him, as he groped under the driver’s seat with his good hand, and rummaged around. He found what he was seeking and pulled it out, placing it on the seat. Hannah looked down at the scuffed wooden box between them.

‘I have something for you,’ he said.

‘What is that?’ she said.

Frank looked around in all directions. The street was quiet, and the bright autumn day had faded to gray. He made sure there was no one near the car, and then he undid the latch and opened the box. Hannah frowned, and then gasped, as he raised the lid.

Resting in the case was a black semiautomatic handgun. ‘Do you know anything about guns?’ he asked.

Hannah shook her head.

Frank sighed. ‘This one is really very simple to use. And I think it would be a good idea for you to be armed. We’ll take it in the house and I can show you.’

‘Why did you bring that?’ she demanded.

Frank shrugged. ‘Call it a gut feeling.’

‘Is that your gun?’

‘One of them,’ he said. He peered at her. ‘Don’t worry. I keep them locked up at home. Cindy never even got near one of these, I promise you.’

‘Put it away, Frank. I appreciate the thought but . . .’

‘Look, I know this is all unfamiliar territory. But you need to be . . . ready. For anything. Just a short lesson, and you would at least be able to fire it in an emergency.’

Hannah shook her head. ‘I don’t think so.’

‘Anna,’ said Frank patiently, ‘if you’re right about this, we’re dealing with someone who pushed you in front of a subway train. From what Father Luke told me, you are still afraid for your life. You need to have