The young officer got out and walked to her door. He was wearing one of those yellow rain jackets. He wore no hat. She thought that he looked like a nice young man.

"I see you've got some problems," he said.

"I do," she said. "I'm so glad to see you. Could you call a wrecker or something? I've got an appointment I'm late for."

"I don't think we need a wrecker," the young man said. "I can change it for you. Hand me your keys and I'll get the spare out of the trunk."

"I do appreciate this," she said, handing over the keys. "You don't know how much."

"It's my job," he said. "This is a very nice car you've got. Very expensive."

"Thank you," she said. "It was a birthday present."

"It must be nice. Having someone rich enough to give you a present like this."

There was a funny look on the officer's face that bothered her a little. He went to the back of the car and opened the trunk. He took out her spare tire. She glanced at her watch. With a little luck, she wouldn't be that late for her own party.

It was starting to pour down rain, but Mona didn't bother to worry about the young man out in the rain. Policemen were paid to do things like this. Instead she glanced in the mirror and made sure her long jet-black hair was still in the exact place.

She noticed another pair of headlights approaching from the rear but she didn't worry about them. She didn't even worry when she saw a van pulling to a stop in front of her car.

Her first thought was that the man who jumped out was dressed kind of funny. He had on dark pants and a dark turtleneck sweater and he was wearing some kind of hat that hid his face.

Mona watched him approaching her car, and she wondered what he wanted as the police officer came back around. He hadn't changed her tire. She wished he'd get on with it.