HELEN CALLS ME LATER.
“How’d it go?” I ask.
“Dan was almost as mad as you were when I told him everything, but he accepted my apology and my promise never to hold information back from him. I briefed my officers on the overall threat to me. They gave me a standing ovation,” she says.
I grin. “See, they love you.”
“I guess you’re right. Second time tonight. Don’t let it go to your head.”
“I won’t.” I pause. “Listen, Helen, I think—”
“No, Tom. Absolutely not.”
“You don’t even know what I was going to say!”
“Yes, I do, and the answer is no. I’m not going to hide out at the Rectory.”
“But—”
“Oh, darling,” Helen says. “I know you’re worried. But there’s no reason for me to stay there.”
“But you live alone.”
“I have a gun—two guns, if you recall. I’m wearing my vest when I’m out, And
