Intrusion: A Novel Read Online Free PDF

friends, knew that Sarah’s ragged appearance was not, as some of the girls believed, a pose; a bohemian, artistic image that she affected. It was due to lack of funds. Hers was a genteel, aristocratic British poverty, but poverty nevertheless. Kat, even with her working-class, council-house background, had more pocket money to spend.
    “Don’t be silly. I don’t need a ring,” Kat had said. And she didn’t. She had no interest in jewelry, would rather have had a book or a CD. But Sarah loved Victorian jewelry and prowled the Brighton Lanes and the many antique shops like a hungry cat. Sarah produced the pearl ring a few days later and gave it to Kat with sullen defiance. Kat was quite certain that Sarah had stolen it. The thought both thrilled and horrified her. She was never able to comfortably wear the ring, was nervous about giving it away lest it had been reported as stolen, and so she had it still, somewhere at the bottom of a drawer.
    “You’re very successful in business,” Kat said now. “So says Mr. Miyamoto.”
    “Mr. Miyamoto who would like me for a client?” asked Sarah, laughing. She had the same rich, full laugh that Kat remembered from years ago. “Well, he’s quite right. I am.”
    She was still smiling when Scott turned the corner. Maggie followed a few steps behind.
    “There you are, Mrs. Harrison. Some of my partners are searching for you.”
    “Oh, call me Sarah, please,” she said. “And do take me to them.”
    Sarah took Scott’s arm, leading him back to the ballroom. She was smiling up at him, her chin raised, shoulders perfectly straight. It was a regal posturing that caused Maggie, following behind with Kat, to whisper.
    “Will you look at her? Who does she think she is?”
    “Maggie—cut it out.”
    But Sarah had swept Scott into the throng, the guests parting to let them through until they reached Miyamoto and his entourage. Then, the group surrounded them again, like a sea tide ebbing back.
    “She’s so over the top,” said Maggie. “Way over the top.”
    “That’s just how she is. She’s always been like that,” said Kat. “She’s not hurting anyone.”
    “No? Wait. Just wait and see.”

    Later, Kat saw Scott standing with the Miyamotos and the previous owners of the hotel chain. Sarah was standing right beside Scott. Kat was swamped by a clear memory that was twenty years old. Then, Kat had opened the door of the small Birmingham apartment she shared with Sarah to find that Sven, the Danish boy she was involved with, had his arms around a girl. When Kat gasped, they both turned. In the dim afternoon light, Kat saw that the girl was Sarah, wearing only a white slip, one strap pulled down over her shoulder so that her full breast was bare.
    Kat swallowed, glanced at Maggie, who was talking with James Dempsey.
    “You all right, Kat?” her sister asked.
    “Yes. Yes, fine.”
    “Looks like the black widow is saying good-bye,” Maggie said.
    “Good. That means we can leave,” Kat said.
    James Dempsey looked at Maggie with amusement.
    “Black widow?” he inquired.
    “You will forget that I said that, James,” Maggie murmured.
    “Please,” Kat added.
    “Consider it forgotten,” said James, but he was grinning. “She’s something else, isn’t she? Cute, though. Very cute.”
    “Oh yes, indeed,” said Maggie with a sigh. “She’s cute all right.”
    Sarah was looking around the ballroom, and after a moment she leaned toward Scott and whispered something to him. His eyes scanned the room until he found his wife and he indicated her whereabouts with a smile. Kat stood, uncomfortable and shy, as Sarah crossed the room. James also jumped to his feet, but Sarah did not look at him or at Maggie. Instead, she reached for Kat and planted a light kiss on her cheek.
    “I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you again.”
    “Yes. A surprise,” said Kat.
    “I’d love to keep in touch. If that’s all right?”
    The green eyes looked serious. Kat nodded