The two men outside watched as the conversation continued.
“It’s damned cold,” one of the men complained. “I wish she’d get the hell out here and let us get this over with.”
His companion nodded. “There’s no way she can get—” He broke off as he saw the two women in the store start to exchange coats. He grinned. “Jesus, look what she’s trying to get away with. They’re swapping coats. What a dumb broad.”
The two women disappeared for a moment behind a clothes rack. One of the men spoke into the walkie-talkie. “The subject is switching from her red coat into a green coat…Hold it. She’s heading for exit four. Pick her up there.”
At exit four, two men were waiting. A moment later one of them said into his cellular phone, “We’ve got her. Get the car.”
They watched as she came out the door into the cold air. She wrapped her green coat tightly around her and started down the street. They closed in on her. As she reached the corner and started hailing a cab, the men grabbed her arms. “You don’t need a cab. We have a nice car for you.”
She looked at them in astonishment. “Who are you? What are you talking about?”
One of the men was staring at her. “You’re not Dana Evans!”
“Well, of course I’m not.”
The men looked at each other, let go of her, and raced back to the store. One of the men clicked on his walkie-talkie. “Wrong target. Wrong target. Do you read me?”
By the time the others piled into the store, Dana had disappeared.
She was caught in a living nightmare, trapped in a hostile world with unknown enemies trying to kill her. She was enmeshed in a web of terror, almost paralyzed with fear. When Dana got out of the taxi, she started walking fast, trying not to run and call attention to herself, having no idea where she was going. She passed a store with a sign that said FANTASY HEADQUARTERS: FANCY DRESS FOR ALL OCCASIONS. On an impulse, Dana went inside. It was filled with costumes, wigs, and makeup.
“Can I help you?”
Yes. Call the police. Tell them someone is trying to kill me.
“Miss?”
“Er—yes. I would like to try on a blond wig.”
“This way, please.”
A minute later Dana was looking at her blond image in the mirror.
“It’s amazing how much it changes your appearance.”
I hope so.
Outside the store, Dana flagged down a taxi. “O’Hare airport.” I must get to Kemal.
When the telephone rang, Rachel picked it up. “Hello…Dr. Young?…The final results of the test?”
Jeff saw the sudden tension in her face.
“You can tell me over the phone. Just a minute.” Rachel looked at Jeff, took a deep breath, and took the phone into the bedroom.
He could hear her voice, faintly.
“Go ahead, Doctor.”
There was a silence that lasted a full three minutes, and as Jeff, concerned, was about to go into the bedroom, Rachel came out, and she had a glow on her face that he had never seen before.
“It worked!” She was almost breathless with excitement. “Jeff, I’m in remission. The new therapy worked!”
Jeff said, “Thank God! That’s wonderful, Rachel.”
“He wants me to stay here for another few weeks, but the crisis is over.” Her voice was filled with elation.
“We’ll go out and celebrate,” Jeff said. “I’ll stay with you until—”
“No.”
“No, what?”
“I don’t need you anymore, Jeff.”
“I know, and I’m glad we—”
“You don’t understand. I want you to leave.”
He looked at Rachel, surprised. “Why?”
“Dear, sweet Jeff. I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but now that I’m in remission, it means I can go back to work. It’s my life. It’s what I am. I’m going to call and see what jobs are available. I’ve felt trapped here with you. Thanks for helping me, Jeff. I really do appreciate it. But it’s time to say good-bye. I’m sure Dana misses you. So please, why don’t you just leave, darling?”
Jeff looked at her a moment and nodded. “Right.”
Rachel watched him go into the bedroom and start to pack. Twenty minutes later, when Jeff came out with his suitcase, Rachel was on the phone.