Snippet #1665433

Abegail jumped when Walter placed his hand on her shoulder. She nodded mutely as he told her there was nothing they could do and they had to leave. In an almost mechanical way she grabbed her suitcase and briefcase and followed Walter to his house.

As they waited for the second cab, Abegail brushed the glass from her clothes. It would do no good if someone could tell she'd just been shot at.

Abegail stood with Walter as they waited and she willed herself to calm down. She swallowed occasionally trying to keep her scotch from earlier from freeing itself from her stomach. She agreed with Walter that there was no way for them to explain any of this. No one would believe a word they said. With the travel arrangements already made it would be worse to stop and attempt to talk about it then to move ahead. Abegail tried hard to be calm. Walter seemed unshaken and calm. She could not break now. Not now just as they were starting out. No, she would see this through. No matter what that meant.

As the cab pulled up the driver questioned them about what was going on down the street and Abegail let Walter answer the questions. She stood at his side smiling politely. The cab driver assumed they were a couple. It didn't bother Abegail that he did. Gave her an excuse to lean against Walter in the car. Frankly, she needed something to keep her steady.

Walter allowed her to climb in first. As she sat, he climbed in behind her. Once he was seated she leaned slightly up against his arm. Abegail prayed he couldn't feel her shaking. "You will get your head together by the time you get to the airport. You understand Abby girl. Donna go losing it. You already lost a notebook, no good losing your sanity too." Her notebook!

She cleared her throat, "Walter?" She leaned closer to his ear so she could whisper. "Someone broke into my place before you picked me up. They took one of my notebooks."

She leaned back into a sitting position. Abegail let Walter take in what she told him as the cab drove to the airport.