Page 242 of The Sun Sister

‘I think so, yeah,’ I said, because my head was still fuzzy from shock.

‘Well, well, could I tell you some stories about them. That Dorothea – what a bitter, cranky old witch she was,’ the man chuckled. ‘After her husband died, she lived alone there for years. I was only a kid, but she used to terrify me, sitting at the window, all dressed in black staring out like the mother inPsycho. I never saw no one come to visit her, not once.’

I felt too dazed to reply.

There was a pause before he added, ‘I know who you are – I’ve seen you on the billboards. I’m surprised you don’t have a bodyguard running with you. If you don’t want stuff like that to happen again, you should think about getting one.’

‘Yeah, I know, but I enjoy the space, and...’ I was about to say I could take care of myself, but given the circumstances, it obviously wasn’t true. I touched the back of my neck, which was sore from where the necklace had been wrenched away from it. I’d bought it for myself with one of my first big pay checks and hardly ever took it off. I felt oddly naked without it. I saw my fingertips were smeared with blood.

‘You better get that cut looked at. Want me to call someone to come get you?’

‘No, I’ll be okay, it’s only a short walk back home,’ I said as I tentatively stood up.

‘I’ll walk with you.’

So my new guardian angel, his tiny terrier and I made our way slowly to my 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.