Pretty Poison

He put in the symbol for smiling. “So you’re worried about me stalking you? How ridiculous. I suppose you’re worried I’m the one who threw you off the dock then.”

“If you’re smart, you won’t pursue this.” She typed with a shaky hand.

“How can you ask me to give up our relationship? It’s the only bright spot in my night.”

Peggy moved her cursor to hit End Game.

“I could help you solve the murders. Trust me, Nightrose. I won’t hurt you.”

She didn’t reply. She watched the screen clear, then shut down her computer. She half expected the phone to ring. Nothing happened. Maybe he’d take the hint. Maybe he didn’t realize how much he was bothering her.

She climbed into bed, pulling the blanket and sheet from the dog. Lying back against her pillow, she stared at the ceiling. The old house groaned and creaked around her. She loved the sounds. They represented the peace and security the house provided her. Sometimes it almost felt alive and caring, nestling her inside its wood timbers and mellowed bricks.

Peggy didn’t want to think about Nightflyer or the pang she felt leaving him there alone. It was too desperate, too pathetic that part of her enjoyed his attentions. The logical, sensible part of her was the one who told Al. It argued with the romantic, emotional side that she didn’t know this man. Anyone who went to such lengths to stay in touch with a stranger had a problem.

Sam’s theory about Nightflyer being too shy to approach her in real life set up the debate again. She was right to consult Al. The idea that Nightflyer was some love-starved recluse might fit in with her teenage readings of Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights. But this was the real world. There were wacky people out there. The chances were that Nightflyer was one of them.

She convinced herself and was almost asleep with the dog snoring next to her when the phone rang. The noise jerked her out of bed, trailing the sheet behind her as the pillow fell to the floor. “Hello?”

His voice was raspy and deep. “Good night, Peggy. Sleep well.”

The phone went dead in her hand before she could reply. Wide awake now, she knew there wouldn’t be any sleep for her that night.

12

Angelica

Botanical: Angelica archangelica

Family: N. O. Umbelliferae

Common Names: Angel plant, dead nettle, holy herb,

wild celery

According to legend, angelica was a gift to man from the Archangel Michael. It is said to have protected whole villages during the plague. It will protect against witchcraft. Angelica was planted at all four corners of a house to ward off lightning, witches, spells, evil spirits, and evil of all kinds.

SERGEANT ANDY JONES of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg PD Cyber Unit arrived bright and early the next morning. After tea and toast, Peggy led him upstairs to her bedroom. She bit her lip when she looked at the sheets and pillows all over the floor. “I’m sorry for the mess. My dog sleeps with me.”

He laughed. “Yeah, I got a crazy poodle that’d be a snack for your big boy downstairs. Don’t worry about it. Log on and show me where you go to play chess with this man.”

Peggy showed him, very conscious of her moves, knowing this man was an expert. “What will you do to catch him? Do you have some gizmo that will detect when he challenges me to a game of chess?”

“Bill Gates might have something sophisticated like that,” he answered. “I take down the name of the site and set up a monitor to look for his login. As soon as he gets into the system, we got him. I can trace him back to his source. Every IP keeps information on their clients nowadays. Depending on where he is, we can have someone pay him a visit that day.”

“Thanks, Andy. I feel much better now.” She glanced at her watch. “And I’m sorry, but I’m late for a class. If you’ll excuse me, I have to run!”

“Sure thing. I’ll let you know when we pick up on anything. Nice to meet you. Thanks for the tea. What kind did you say it was?”

“Orange peach with a hint of lemon.” She handed him a slip of paper with the name on it and walked with him to the front door. “Give my best to your wife. Have her try that feverfew for her migraines. It can make a world of difference.”

By the time she walked Shakespeare and got everything together, the taxi she called was waiting in the driveway. She sighed as she glanced at her bike but knew it would be a few more days before she could ride again.

She needed to find time to work on the hydrogen conversion for the Rolls. It wasn’t so difficult as it was time consuming. If she wasn’t so stubborn, she’d hire someone else to do it. But where would the fun be in that?

She was lecturing to both of her classes as well as a group of undergrads at Queens that morning. The auditorium was packed as she limped to the speaker’s platform. Fortunately, she could give the lecture in her sleep if she had to. After last night, that’s exactly what she felt like she was doing. Maybe Nightflyer would log on to the game room looking for her and find Andy waiting instead.

She didn’t think she’d prosecute him. Just knowing who and where he was would make her feel better. He was obviously in Charlotte somewhere to be able to track her movements so closely. Right now, he could be anyone she passed on the street or worked with at the university. She needed a name and a face to have some peace of mind.