The Sun Sister (The Seven Sisters #6) - Lucinda Riley Page 0,264

apartment building. He even offered his arm to me as we waited for the lights to change so I could cross the street.

‘Thanks so much,’ I said as we walked under the awning of my building.

‘Oh, it was nothing, ma’am. It’s been a pleasure to talk to you – that doesn’t happen too often in this city these days. You oughta call the cops and report it – I’d be happy to be a witness for you.’

‘For what good the cops will do,’ I mumbled as the man dug in his trouser pocket and offered me a card.

‘That’s me, Davey Steinman at your service. You come see me sometime and I’ll tell you stories about those Huntley-Morgans. My mother hated them – we were Jewish, you see, and even though they were our neighbours for years, they never once passed the time of day with us.’

‘I will. Thanks for your help, Davey,’ I smiled as I waved goodbye to him and Poppet, then wobbled inside.

‘Oh my!’ Mariam said as I walked into the kitchen and slumped into a chair. ‘What happened, Electra?’

‘I got mugged,’ I shrugged. ‘But I’m okay. I just need you to take a look at the back of my neck because I can’t see the wound.’

Mariam was already up and reaching for the first aid box that was kept in the kitchen cupboard.

‘I’ve never been happy with you running alone in that park, Electra. It’s just not safe, especially for someone with a high profile like you. Now, let’s see what we’re dealing with.’

‘Maybe it’s only when something happens to you that you realise what you’re doing is dangerous. But I enjoy that time alone, you know? Ouch!’ I winced as I felt something stinging on the back of my neck.

‘Sorry, I just need to clean the cut. It’s very small – just where the chain has dug into your skin as they whipped it from your neck. You really should call the cops—’

‘What’s the use? They won’t catch them,’ I muttered.

‘So you can get a report to give to your insurance company for the stolen jewellery – and also to make sure it doesn’t happen to other people.’

‘I guess so. I met this sweet old guy who says they’d probably been watching me, which is kind of creepy,’ I said, as Mariam took some gauze and tape to cover the wound.

‘Yes, it is,’ Mariam said vehemently.

‘The old guy said I should employ a bodyguard.’

‘Well, I agree with him, Electra.’

‘Maybe Tommy wants to apply,’ I said as I stood up, and dug around in the medical box to find a couple of Advil. ‘Actually, I’m worried about him – I haven’t seen him around for a while. Have you?’

‘No.’

‘Do you by any chance have his cell phone number?’

‘No, why should I?’ Mariam answered abruptly.

‘Because I thought you guys were in touch . . . Anyway, let’s just hope he turns up in the next few days. Right, I need to take a shower, grab some lunch and then head off to Granny’s.’ I smiled at Mariam, whose back was turned to me as she replaced the first aid kit in the cupboard.

‘Okay, there’s some sushi in the fridge. I’ll take it out for you.’

‘Thanks.’

As I crossed the Brooklyn Bridge on the way to Stella’s apartment, I thought again about Mariam and how there was definitely a subtle shift in her usual calm, composed demeanour. Something was going on with her, I just knew it instinctively, and I decided that tonight I’d ask her what the problem was. If it was me, I really needed to know, because I couldn’t bear to lose her.

Arriving at Sidney Place, I stepped out and saw neat brownstones and newer redbricks. The sidewalk was tree-lined and had a calm atmosphere of understated wealth. Walking up the steps of a brownstone with pretty flowerboxes in the windows, I pressed the bell that said ‘Jackson’, and within a few seconds, my grandmother was standing at the door.

‘Welcome, Electra,’ she said as she ushered me into an entrance hall and then right into a large and airy space, with double-aspect windows that looked out at the front onto the houses opposite and at the back, down onto a garden below. I noted the dated furniture: there was a couch covered with chintz and two battered leather easy chairs that sat opposite a large fireplace.

‘This is lovely,’ I said and meant it, even if I did feel I’d just stepped back into a different century. There