Read Online Penumbra by Carolyn Haines - Free Book Online Page A

afraid if she did, he wouldn’t allow her to baby-sit Suzanna. Lucas had never done a single thing to make Jade uneasy, but she felt his gaze on her when her back was turned, and there was strong emotion in it. What upset Jade the most was that she recognized her likeness to Lucas Bramlett. He lived as he chose, because he was strong enough to do so. Most folks thought it was money that gave Lucas his power, but Jade knew differently. The money was part of it, but mostly it came from his character. Like her, he was outside the bounds of society.
    Lucas never hesitated to call Jade when he wanted someone to keep Suzanna for an afternoon, or an evening, or a weekend, or a three-week cruise. Would he bother to tell her if there was a ransom demand? She doubted it, but Huey Jones couldn’t keep his mouth shut to save his life. If there was a ransom demand, it would be all over town.
    It occurred to Jade that Lucas wouldn’t pay for something he didn’t value, and she felt a surge of desperation. Public opinion would force him to pay the ransom, though. He was outside society, but not inured to it. That thought brought a bit of comfort, even when she knew that Lucas had never shown the first glimmer of joy at his daughter. Not at her birth and not at her first step. Not when she did well in school or excelled at the piano. Nothing the little girl did could capture his praise or pleasure. Sadness like a weight pressed on Jade’s chest. Folks were always making the comment that she could do better in a big city. Even Ruth had joined in that refrain. Ruth wanted her to marry and have babies. In Drexel, she was too white for the black men and too black for the white. In a place like New Orleans, she could have her pick of either.
    The front door of the shop was open for ventilation, and Jade was busy with her call list when Mrs. McBane walked in. She strode to the counter where Jade sat.
    “You missed five appointments this morning.” She set her black patent leather handbag with the gold clasp on the counter with force.
    “Yes, ma’am, I know.” Jade put the pencil down. She reached for the telephone. “If you’ll have a seat, I need to call one more person.”
    “It’s ten-thirty.”
    Jade looked at the clock on the wall. “It’s ten-twenty-three. I just need to make this call.”
    Mrs. McBane didn’t move. “What’s Marlena Bramlett to you, anyway?”
    Jade knew perfectly well that Betsy McBane knew they were half-sisters. She wasn’t asking about a blood relationship; she was asking about something else, something that involved Jade’s right to care what happened to Marlena and her daughter.
    “I’m fond of Suzanna,” Jade said. “I may be the only person who is.”
    “She’s a brat. I’ll bet if someone did take her, they’ll pay Lucas good money to take her back.”
    Jade felt an unfamiliar flash of anger. She was so used to her clients that she seldom took anything they said to heart. She picked up the phone and began to dial.
    She completed the call with Betsy McBane standing over her. She put the phone down and stood up. “What would you like today, Mrs. McBane?” she asked, pointedly looking at the clock, which showed ten-thirty.
    Betsy took a seat in the beauty chair, Jade standing behind her. “Something special. I want to look good in case there’s a funeral.” Her smile was tight as she looked into the mirror and into Jade’s eyes. “If that little girl is dead, do you think you’ll work on her at the funeral home? I hear you did a fine job on Horace Bradshaw.” Her gaze in the mirror was eager.
    The idea of Suzanna, dead, made Jade step back.
    “I’m sorry, Jade. That was thoughtless of me.” Betsy held Jade’s gaze.
    “What makes you think Suzanna is dead?” Jade asked, not bothering to wonder if it was thoughtlessness or the opposite.
    “I happened by the hospital this morning. You know, Marlena is just the darling of the town, and I wanted to see how she was doing. Your