Born Innocent Read Online Free PDF

all, and it hadn’t gone far enough for her to really be certain that Henson had had rape on his mind. In fact, judging by the kind of character Alan Henson had turned out to be, he’d probably end up suing her for clobbering him with that glass. Malicious endangerment, or some such.
    “ Oh, Joe,” Claire murmured to the wall. “How very right you were.” For a moment more, she leaned against the building, picturing Joe’s stern, beloved face, knowing the ever-present longing for what they’d never share—and yet feeling gratitude, too. He was her friend, no matter what he wasn’t. And she’d always be thankful for his watchful care.
    Soon enough, Claire found she was able to push herself away from the wall. The shock of what she’d just been through was passing, and her legs were willing to hold her upright once more. She was just lifting her head to aim her tired body toward her own cottage when she heard someone gasp.
    “ Oh, my God. Are you all right?” A woman and a man, guests of the motel, were rushing toward her.
    Claire looked down at herself and saw that her blouse was gaping open and splotched with wet stains. Her face flaming, she clutched her torn blouse together and forced a smile. “Yes. I’m fine. Really.”
    “ But what happened ?’’
    “ Nothing. Just a little...misunderstanding. It’s all cleared up now.”
    The woman, who’d put a comforting arm around Claire’s shoulder, looked doubtful. “You’re sure? You’re shaking all over.”
    Claire straightened and stepped back from the woman. “Yes. Positive. I’m fine. And it’s only a few steps to the lobby. I live right behind it.”
    The man said, “We’ll help you.”
    Claire gave a nervous laugh. “Really. There’s no need. I can just go in the back door.”
    But they wouldn’t let her make the short trip alone. They stood to either side of her and walked her around the cottage to the lobby door, insisting they must see that she had someone to look after her until she felt more herself.
    Verna looked up when the woman led the way inside. “Good God, Claire. What happened to you?”
    Claire forced a smile of reassurance. Then she thanked the couple again and sent them on their way.
    Feeling as old as Methuselah, Claire tottered to the couch by the check-in desk and dropped into it with a sigh.
    She rubbed her temples.
    “ Headache?” asked Verna.
    “ A doozy.”
    Calm, efficient Verna got the aspirin from a drawer behind the counter and the water from the cooler in the corner.
    “ Thanks.” Claire chased the pills with the water.
    Verna suggested in a soothing voice, “Tell me what happened. It’s always better if you talk about it.”
    Claire shook her head. “No, I’d rather not talk about it— except to say that Alan Henson will be out of here in the morning. For good.”
    Verna frowned. “He... hurt you?”
    “ No, not really. He just scared about five years off my life, that’s all.” Claire looked up at Verna, who was still hovering beside her. Claire patted her hand. “Don’t worry. It’s nothing I won’t get over. Really. I just want him out of here. And he’ll be out. Tomorrow.”
    Verna wasn’t completely convinced. “I think you ought to talk about it.”
    “ I don’t.”
    “ You’re sure, now?” Poor Verna. She wanted to help, but she didn’t seem to quite know what to do.
    “ Positive,” Claire promised, thinking she was getting tired of reassuring people—first that well-meaning couple and now Verna. She wanted to be alone, to collect her shattered nerves. And then to take the damn test that would probably shatter them all over again. “What I need is a good night’s sleep. So you go on, Verna. And I’ll lock up.”
    “ But—”
    “ I’m serious.” Claire dragged herself to her feet and got Verna’s purse for her. “Out of here. Thanks for watching the desk tonight. I really appreciate it.”
    “ Well, I—”
    Claire herded the other woman toward the door. “Good