«Of course not! I'd love it!» she answered, then, on the spur of the moment, «And … and suppose you come over to dinner tomorrow night? It won't be anything elaborate, but …»

«Hey! I'd welcome that with open arms!» he said, his face beaming. «And I'll bring a bottle of wine!»

«Okay! Do you like meatloaf?» she asked. «I'm afraid I can't offer you much better, but I do make a good one …»

«Meatloaf! My favorite dish!» he said, and then they both laughed as they walked side by side along the cinder path, their team of German shepherds leading them.

They had gone only a little way, both enjoyably reacting to their new friendship, when Carol saw the other man standing beside a tree a good distance from the path, but definitely with his attention riveted on them … or rather on her! He was drinking from a beer can and though he was quite a way off, there was no question in her mind but that it was Ed White! The clammy chill at just the sight of him crept shudderingly up her back.

«Is something wrong, Carol?» Mark asked when she stopped in the middle of telling him her apartment number and what time to come.

«N-No … no, nothing,» she stammered, tearing her eyes from the brutish man whose leer she sensed more than distinguished at that distance. «I-I was just remembering a certain detail I forgot to take care of today … I'm sorry.»

«You were telling me what time and your apartment number,» he reminded, his discerning mind detecting the falseness of her answer and wondering why.

«Oh yes, it's 1-B, and let's make it around seven for cocktails … you do like a cocktail, don't you?» she said, straining to re-capture the warm mood they had shared only moments before.

«I thrive on them!» he laughed and shook his head as if thoroughly delighted. «You know, Carol, you're taunting me right where it gets me the most!»