Wait Until Dark Read Online Free PDF

made it part of my inheritance. That, and the fact that he found out I love restoring old mansions." A sudden thought struck. "Are you aware that Nicholas Warner wants to buy the house and tear it down to build condos?"
    A muscle in his jaw flexed. "I'm aware of it."
    "Of course you are. And you'd sell it to him in a New York minute before you'd let me have it." She pressed her lips together. "Well, unfortunately, you don't have that option. I'm keeping the manor."
    The finality of her words sliced the air, and Stuart made a frustrated sound, averting his gaze as he did. Lindsey could have sworn she saw a flash of panic there, but it was gone by the time he looked back at her. "I respect your feelings," he said evenly. "I'm asking you to respect mine. Your appointment with Leland isn't for three days. Use that time to think."
    It was no surprise that Stuart knew her timetable for returning to Providence. Lindsey had the feeling the Falkners knew everything that concerned them. "I'll think over what you said. But, I'm giving you fair warning. I don't expect to change my mind."
    "I hope you do - for everyone's sake."

4
    LELAND MASTERS WASN'T ALONE when Lindsey arrived at his office that Friday. Pacing near the windows was a tall, slender woman in her early thirties. Her chin-length blond hair was cut in a blunt, fashionable style, her slate gray eyes were highlighted with just the right amount of makeup, and she was wearing a suede suit that screamed money.
    Tracy Falkner.
    "So you're Lindsey."
    It didn't take long for Lindsey to deduce her half-sister's state of mind. Tracy marched over, scrutinizing her as if she were a piece of jewelry being considered for purchase.
    "Yes," Lindsey replied coolly. "And you're Tracy."
    Mr. Masters rose from behind his desk. "I agreed to delay our appointment for five minutes," he informed Lindsey, silently conveying that their transaction, when it was held, would indeed be private. "But Tracy wanted to meet you."
    "That's fine." Lindsey nodded.
    Tracy smoothed a strand of hair off her forehead. "Stuart was right. You do resemble Father, in a fragile sort of way." She gave an offhanded shrug. "As for why I wanted to meet you, it was to stop this ridiculous idea you have of taking title to the Newport manor. You work in Connecticut. The commute would be impossible. You'd be gone fifteen hours a day. That would leave your mother virtually alone. The house is over ten thousand square feet, with thirty rooms. She'd get lost in it."
    Pausing, Tracy walked over to the chair, pulled some papers out of a briefcase she'd placed there. "According to my private investigator, you owe two thousand five hundred thirty dollars in various loans," she announced, scanning the pages. "Your car still isn't paid off. Your mother earns a daily sum of one hundred twenty dollars - and that's if she doubles up and cleans two houses a day rather than one. As for you, your salary is laughable. You should be earning four times what you do. You would be, if you worked in Stamford or Greenwich, rather than that poky little town you live in. Actually, you have the talent but not the resources to start your own architectural firm."
    Lindsey was shaking with anger. "You had me investigated?"
    "Of course." Tracy sounded surprised she'd be asked. "Did you honestly think I'd just accept you as my sister, no questions asked?" She tossed the papers aside without waiting for an answer. "When Stuart came to see you, he didn't mention a figure. I will. Eight of them, in fact. How does ten million dollars sound to you? Enough to make you walk away?"
    Leland Masters was on his feet. "Tracy, for heaven's sake..."
    She waved away his protest. "I won't cut into your time, Leland. My business with Lindsey is almost over."
    "Correction," Lindsey returned, so outraged she could scarcely think, much less speak. "Our business is over - now. I don't want your money. I don't want your approval. In fact, I want nothing from you. So, if you'll