Eleven Hours Read Online Free PDF Page B

Cadillac of all minivans, as the pamphlets had said.
    He thought he’d seen the van several times, but he was wrong.
    Remembering he had a meeting with marketing at three, Rich called his office manager and said he was tied up and couldn’t make it in. She sounded nervous on the phone, and said, “But Rich, your meeting. ” And he said to her, “But Donna, my wife. ” And hung up without an explanation.
    Then he called home. Maybe she wasn’t feeling well and had gone home to lie down. Totally unlike Didi, but maybe.
    No one answered. The babysitter must be picking Amanda up from school. Rich left a message for Didi to call him as soon as possible at the office. What could he do? He had to believe that Didi was still upset about the fight last night. It was the only explanation.
    But he didn’t believe that. It wasn’t like Didi to pay him back for anything. Even when they fought, she still made him dinner, still went to sleep with him, and she never stood him up if they made plans to meet. Never.
    Unprecedented events worried Rich. He remembered his dad, back in Chicago, every day for twenty-five years coming home from work on the 5:54 P.M. train. The train was sometimes late, but Richard Wood Sr. never missed that train—well, almost never. The day he missed the 5:54 was the day he died.

1:45 P.M.
    Didi racked her brain to find something to say to stop the man, stop him before he drove his car out of the parking lot. Hope was a caged bird, and it was caged outside the NorthPark Mall. Once they were out of the lot and on Dallas streets or on the open road, the little bird called hope would flee this man’s car. Didi had to try something now, while there was still a chance. Her mouth was dry and her heart was beating fast as she took a deep breath.
    â€œListen,” Didi said. “We’re not rich people, but—” She wanted to cry but wouldn’t let herself. “Call my husband. I’m sure he’ll give you money—”
    His soft laugh interrupted her.
    So he was listening. Her words were getting through. Heartened, Didi went on.
    â€œI just want to say, I mean, if you—” She choked up. “If you let me out now, I’ll walk back to my car and I’ll never mention this to anybody. We’ll never see each other again, but, please, couldn’t you just … just let me go?” Didi’s legs felt clammy. Trying to ease the tension, she rubbed the Belly.
    â€œTell me, won’t you be sad for us to part and never see each other again?” he asked.
    What is he talking about? thought Didi. It doesn’t make sense. Maybe he’s made a mistake. Maybe he’s mistaken me for someone else. He acts as if he knows me. A crazy mistake but a mistake. He must think I’m someone who lives in Starwood or in Highland Park. I’m not, I’m not, she wanted to say.
    â€œI’m sorry, do you know who I am?”
    â€œYes,” the man said. “Fate has brought you to me.”
    Didi felt sick.
    Shaking her head, Didi said tearfully, “What does fate have to do with it?”
    â€œWhy, everything,” he said.
    â€œBut my husband is waiting for me,” Didi said. “If I don’t come soon, he’s going to get very worried. I know he’ll call the police—”
    â€œWe’ll be far away then, ma’am,” he said.
    Didi’s heart expanded. It felt as if it were going to explode out of her chest. She put her hand over her mouth to stop herself from making a wailing sound.
    So he seemed to have plans for them. He was moving along, traveling somewhere, and she was hurtling with him. By the time Rich was aware she was missing, they’d be far away. Sweet Jesus, what did that mean?
    â€œHe’ll get worried right away. I’m never late,” Didi said. “And if I am, I always call.”
    â€œYou’re not near a phone,” he said.
    Didi almost