London from My Windows Read Online Free PDF Page B

down the block. To the neighbors. Of course he knew she was in here. She was always in here.
    â€œIt’s my day off,” Ava said. She was in her pajamas even though it was only two in the afternoon. There were very few perks to being an agoraphobic. Wearing your pajamas at two in the afternoon was one of them.
    â€œIt’s a work emergency,” Cliff said.
    â€œDo you have a client with you?” She didn’t want to sketch criminals today, only lovers.
    â€œOpen up,” Cliff said. “You know I hate talking through the door.”
    â€œI’m not dressed,” Ava said.
    â€œI’m going to put the siren on.”
    That would draw the attention of the neighbors. Cliff knew just how to push her buttons. “Dammit.” Ava opened the door. “Hurry,” she said. Cliff and Joe stepped inside and Ava shut and locked the door behind them. Three locks. She checked them twice. Joe glanced at the locks, then at her horse pajamas, and then looked away. Cliff stared openmouthed at her pj’s. “It’s my day off,” Ava said.
    â€œWe need you to do a sketch,” Cliff said.
    Ava sighed. “Why doesn’t the department just switch to computer sketches like every other police department in the country?”
    â€œBecause we’ve got you.”
    Flattery wasn’t going to work. The department was cheap, and old-fashioned. That was the real reason. Not that Ava was complaining. It paid the bills. “She or he?” Probably a she. It was normally a she.
    â€œIt’s a girl.”
    â€œWhen?”
    â€œNow.”
    â€œHow can I sketch her now? I don’t see her here.” She smiled so that Joe wouldn’t sense her hostility and figure out that she and Cliff were lovers. Ava watched Joe take in the black sheets hanging over her windows.
    â€œIs this a bad time?” he asked politely.
    â€œYes,” Ava said.
    Joe put his hand over his heart. “I’m so sorry. Who died?” Poor guy. Ava bet his daughters ran right over him.
    â€œMy father,” Ava said.
    â€œOh my God,” Joe said. “We’re so sorry to bother you. Our condolences.” He tipped his hat and headed for the door.
    â€œNineteen years ago,” Cliff said.
    Joe stopped before his hand reached the doorknob. “Pardon?”
    â€œAva’s father died nineteen years ago,” Cliff said.
    Joe frowned, then shook his finger at Ava as if he’d just figured out her secret. “Are you on a stakeout?”
    â€œA stakeout?” Cliff said. He gestured to the black sheets. “She can’t see out the windows. How could she be on a stakeout?”
    â€œYou’re close, Jim,” Ava said.
    â€œIt’s Joe.”
    â€œRight, sorry. I forget that some people get to be called by their real names.”
    â€œTheir real names?” Joe said.
    â€œWe don’t have time for this,” Cliff said.
    â€œI had to change my name when I went into hiding,” Ava said.
    Cliff shook his head. “Cut it out.”
    Joe straightened up, hooked his thumbs into his pants. “You can trust me.”
    â€œI’m in witness protection.”
    â€œHoly shit. I knew it. I knew there was something . . . about you.” He paused in the place where Ava was sure he wanted to say “odd.”
    â€œSeriously?” Cliff said.
    â€œPlease, don’t blow my cover.”
    â€œHoly shit,” Joe said. He took a step forward and lowered his chin. “Mob?”
    â€œWould I be wearing horse pajamas if it wasn’t the Mob, Joe?” Ava said deadpan. Joe squinted and considered her question. Ava should behave; she really should. But when you stayed in all the time, your pent-up energy had to go somewhere. It was too fun messing with people like Joe. And there was no real harm done.
    â€œGet dressed!” Cliff said. “You’re coming to the station.” The station? Ava never went to the