They crossed the street together, toward a block where two new condominiums were being built. Hannah never walked down this block alone at night. It was too dark and creepy—with the tall, skeletonlike frames to the buildings, the piles of wood and steel rods, and the portable outhouses. Hannah should have felt safe with Seth at her side, but what he was saying frightened her.
“You’re right not to get involved with him,” he continued. “He’s bad news. I’ve seen how he treats the women he’s with—and the ones he’s had.”
“So there have been a lot of women, huh?” she asked. “Students like me?”
“No one like you,” he said, a strange warmth in his voice. “But yeah, they were students. He must have a thing for blondes. The last was a blonde named Rae Palmer.”
Hannah stopped walking for a moment. Seth stopped with her. “What? Do you know her?”
“I’ve heard the name,” Hannah said, walking again. “What can you tell me about her?”
“Well, let’s see,” Seth said, pulling a pack of cigarettes from his jacket pocket. He lit one up with a disposable lighter. “Rae was in the class for two semesters. If I remember right, she started in September of last year, and dropped out in April. Hands down, she was the prettiest one in the class, and I could tell ol’ Paul was interested in her from the get-go. Anyone could see it. I can’t say exactly when they started up, but they seemed pretty hot and heavy by Christmastime. It had definitely cooled down when she dropped the class. It might have gone on a little longer after that, I’m not sure.”
“Did you ever see her again? Did Paul ever talk about her?”
He took a long drag of his cigarette. “No on both counts.”
The wind kicked up, and Hannah adjusted the collar to her jacket. She crossed her arms in front of her. “So —you don’t know what became of her?”
“Haven’t a clue.” Seth exhaled a cloud of smoke; then he paused. “I was surprised Paul waited so long after Rae to set his sights on you. Hell, it took him only a few weeks between Rae and the one before her. Can you believe that? You’d think Paul would have been freaked out enough to swear off sleeping with his students for a while.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The girl before Rae was Angela Bramford, and she was murdered.”
Hannah stopped under a streetlight on the corner at the end of her block. “When was this?” she whispered.
Seth took a last drag from his cigarette and tossed it away. “She was a summer semester fling, this very beautiful redhead, like a young Piper Laurie. She was an artist, very earthy. It only lasted a few weeks, from early June until—well, she’d dumped him before the end of the month. He was really bitter. She kept coming to class after, and it just drove Paul up the wall. Finally, she dropped out. About three weeks later—it was mid-August, she was killed.”
“How did it happen?” Hannah asked.
“They found her early in the morning, on the second-floor patio area of the Convention Center downtown. She was over by some steps. Somebody had strangled her. I remember reading about it in the newspaper. What a shame. She was so pretty.”
“Did they ever find out who killed her?”
Seth shook his head. “I always thought the cops should have had a nice, long talk with Professor G., but they never even approached him.” He glanced up and down the dark side streets. “Which way? Down there?”
Hannah nodded. As they crossed toward her block, Seth glanced over his shoulder.
“Do you really think Paul had something to do with this Angela Bramford’s murder?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Seth said. “He just pisses me off sometimes. He’s probably too much of a wimp to bump someone off. Still, I think the police should have at least talked with him. Like the weasel he is, he got out of that one unscathed. Then, a month later, he started chasing after Rae.”
Hannah stopped in front of her building. “This is me,” she said, pulling her keys from her purse. Again, she noticed the Capt’n Crunch decals Britt had saved for Guy.
“You okay?” she heard Seth ask.
She nodded. “Yes, I—I’m fine. Listen, does Paul have any male friends? I mean, have you seen him hanging out with anyone in particular?”
“Not really,” Seth said. “Then again, he might have a buddy or two at the newspaper where he writes his crummy reviews. I don’t really know.” Seth gave her a sidelong glance. “Why all the questions about Professor G.? I mean, if you don’t mind my asking.”
Hannah shrugged. “Oh, I was just curious. You said he likes me.”
Seth grinned. “And Ben? What did he want?”
Hannah was stumped for a moment. “Oh, he—he was just coming along with me. There’s nothing going on with us. Anyway, thanks for the talk. I’ll call Tish at the store tomorrow. She’s the manager. With your knowledge of film, you’re a shoo-in. She’ll probably want you to start right away.”
Hands in his pockets, he rocked on his heels. “Thanks, Hannah.”
He glanced over his shoulder. “You know, I don’t mean to freak you out or anything, but I’m pretty sure someone has been following us since we left the store.”
“What?” Hannah stepped back and bumped against the door.
“I didn’t get a good look at him,” Seth explained. “I think he’s gone now. Just the same, I’ll wait here until I know you’re inside.”
Hannah glanced down the darkened street for a moment: at the shadowy trees and the unlit recesses between the houses and buildings. She didn’t see anyone.
She turned to Seth. “I don’t feel good, leaving you to walk all the way home alone. Let me phone a taxi for you. I’ll treat.”
He shook his head. “No, thanks. I’m cool. It’s only—what—seven-thirty? Besides, I have some errands to run back up on the main drag. I’ll be okay.”
Hannah unlocked the door, then impulsively kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks, Seth. Be careful, okay?”
“You bet. Good night, Hannah.”
She hurried inside and ran up the stairs. Catching her breath, she stepped out on the third floor and started down the balcony walkway. As Hannah came closer to her door, she stopped abruptly. The keys dropped out of her hand.
She gazed at a padded envelope, balanced between the doorknob and the door frame. She didn’t have to guess what was inside the little package.
She knew.
Fourteen
“Well, I made it home in one piece. So you can relax.”
“Good,” Hannah said, talking into her kitchen phone. “And you didn’t see anyone lurking around outside?”
“Not a creature was stirring, honey,” Joyce said. “I don’t know why you need me to call and report in every night now. It’s only eight o’clock. And I’m just a couple of doors down, for Pete’s sake.”
“It makes me feel better, that’s all,” Hannah replied.
“Well, phone me tomorrow if something comes up. And honey, again, I’m really sorry about your friend.”
“Oh, thank you, Joyce. G’night.”
Hannah hung up the phone. She stared at the envelope on the kitchen counter. She hadn’t opened it yet.
