Out at Night Read Online Free PDF

letter with an FBI insignia on it. “That, I do not know, madam.”
    “How much time do I have?”
    He glanced silently at the villa. Mac and Katie had disappeared inside, the balcony empty. He looked at her neutrally.
    “Enough to say good-bye.”

    __

    “Mommy! Mommy mommy mommy mommy mommy!”
    Katie threw herself at Grace. She was still in her swimsuit; her skin smelled of chlorine.
    “Daddy’s going to take me out in the golf cart later, just the two of us. We’re going to find a store where they sell kitties. We’re not going to buy one, just look. I want to hold a fluffy one.”
    Grace met Mac’s eyes over their daughter’s head. He shrugged and Grace felt a territorial tug.
    “You need to take a bath, sweetie.”
    “There was a bird that flew onto the balcony. It had orange on its head and a very, very big beak. This big.” She held out her hands in front of her nose.
    “Sweetie, that’s great. I need to talk to Daddy a minute, okay? Let’s get you out of this wet swimming suit.” Her tone held just the faintest hint of criticism, and out of the corner of her eye, she could see Mac tense.
    It eased something in her. She rested an open palm on her daughter’s shoulder.
    “Come on, kiddo, I’ll start the water for you.” She moved toward the bathroom, Katie skipping next to her. “I’m going to show Daddy how hot to make the water, so he knows.”
    She glanced back at Mac just in time to see his jaw tighten. After a beat, he followed.

    __

    “What’s going on?”
    Mac followed her into the bedroom and closed the door partway. From the bathtub came the sounds of quiet splashing, Katie singing an off-key version of “Itsy Bitsy Spider.” Grace could feel his eyes on her as she moved to the closet and pulled down her suitcase from the shelf.
    “I have to go to Palm Springs and help Uncle Pete with something. Today’s Friday. Katie’s got Monday off for Veterans Day. She has to be back in San Diego for school Tuesday.”
    “Katie stays here. You’re not taking her.” It wasn’t a question. It was a statement. A bold squaring off.
    Her intestines felt spongy. “No. I know you need time with her.”
    He crossed his arms loosely. He’d scuffed up his right hand somehow and the knuckles looked chapped. “I still want her Thanksgiving.”
    “Can we talk about this later?”
    “Now.”
    The splashing stopped. “What?” Katie called.
    Anger surged and spread through her body. Love was better, but this still had a warm glow to it. She shot Mac a look as she moved past him to the door.
    “Everything’s fine, honey,” she called through the open door.
    “I heard my name.”
    “Daddy and I were just talking.”
    “About what?” There was alarm in her voice and Grace went into the bathroom. A flotilla of rubber duckies bobbed in the water. A soap bubble bloomed on Katie’s shoulder, like a glittering corsage.
    Grace sat on the edge of the tub and reached for the shampoo.
    “About what a cool daughter we have.”
    “You sounded mad.” Her eyes were dark and wide.
    Grace massaged the shampoo into her scalp. “We’re fine.” She heard Mac come in behind her. “Aren’t we?”
    “Absolutely.” His voice was a little too hearty.
    “Lean back, honey, I’m going to rinse this off.”
    Katie took a breath and held on to her nose and sank back into Grace’s hand. Katie’s hair floated in the water like a sea nymph’s, her lashes dark against her cheeks. Her head felt fragile in Grace’s hand, easily injured.
    “You want me to—”
    “Everything’s fine.”
    He tried again. “But I could—”
    “I’ll be right in, Mac, okay?” She lifted Katie up and squeezed out the water. She felt him moving away from the door, felt the absence of him.
    “I held my breath.”
    “I saw. When you’re done playing, I’ll rinse your hair again.”
    Katie nodded, peering up at her uncertainly as if there was something that needed asking. That needed clearing up. That threatened world