The Chase: A Novel Read Online Free PDF

night,” he said quickly, then he turned and was gone.
    “Good night,” Claire murmured as he disappeared down the hall. She leaned against the wall, feeling as if she had been run over by a truck. Would their paths cross again? She hoped very much that they would.
    It was a long moment before she moved. Instead, she replayed their two encounters over and over again in her mind, as if she were a teenage girl with a very severe crush. When she realized what she was doing, she laughed at herself, because she was thirty-two, not twelve. Claire went into her bedroom for another pair of shoes.
    A moment later, she stood on the threshold of the living room. A dozen guests remained, but all were in the process of leaving.
    She sighed. Jean-Léon was chatting with the Dukes in the foyer. The turquoise-clad blonde who had been hanging all over David for most of the night was slipping on a wrap. Claire suddenly realized that David was nowhere to be seen. Puzzled, she walked to the foyer and said good night to the blonde.
    Her name was Sherry. “I had a wonderful time,” she gushed.
    “I’m glad,” Claire said, wondering if she was sleeping with David. It would not surprise her.
    Sherry thanked her, glancing past Claire as if looking for David. A moment later she left.
    “It was a marvelous party,” Elizabeth said to her. “But it’s so late! We have to go. Claire, we will talk tomorrow.”
    Claire nodded as William hugged her. “Dear, once again, you have outdone yourself. The food, the wines, everything was superb. More importantly, you are superb.” He smiled at her. “Have brunch with us on Sunday?”
    “I’ll try.” Too late, Claire realized she had said “I” instead of “we.” The Dukes stepped out to their waiting car and driver.
    Claire said another series of good-byes, then turned to her father. “Have you seen David?” One more couple was putting on their coats, and the bartender was finishing breaking down the bar.
    “No, I haven’t. He’s drunk, Claire,” Jean-Léon said with disapproval.
    Claire sighed. “I know. Maybe he went up the back stairs to bed.”
    Her father kissed her cheek. “I hope David knows how fortunate he is to have you as his wife. The party went well, Claire. No thanks to him.”
    Claire smiled, refusing to buy into the subject, and said good-bye. Finally, all of her guests were gone.
    Promptly Claire kicked off her lower-heeled sandals as the remaining two waiters left the house, carrying the last of their equipment. The caterer came up to her. “Everything’s done,” she said. “The leftovers are put away, dishes and glasses ready for Party Rentals to pick up first thing tomorrow, and the kitchen as clean as a whistle.”
    Claire thanked the slim, middle-aged woman, whom she used often for various events. “Thank you so much, Mrs. Lewis. Once again, everything was just perfect.”
    Mrs. Lewis beamed. Then she said, “Do try to relax a bit, Mrs. Hayden. I could see you weren’t yourself these past few days.”
    Claire stared after her. Could everyone tell that her marriage was over? Could she no longer hide her true feelings? Disturbed, Claire went to the front door and locked it.
    She sighed. Everyone had enjoyed himself, even David; the night had been a success.
    She thought about Ian Marshall and smiled a little.
    Don’t go there
, she told herself sternly. It was only a harmless flirtation.
    But somehow, she knew it was more.
    Claire turned off the downstairs lights except for one in the hall. The house was so quiet and still, when just moments ago it had been filled with conversation and music and so many people. She walked upstairs quietly, not wanting to wake David but certain he wouldn’t wake up even if she did make noise. The quiet engulfed her. It should have been peaceful. Instead, unease prickled at her.
    She flicked on the light in the bedroom.
    The king-size bed was empty.
    It wasn’t even rumpled.
    Claire stared at it for a moment, unable to