Are You Afraid Of The Dark   ::   Sheldon Sidney

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WHEN THE PLANE landedat La Guardia airport three and a half hours later, Diane and Kelly were the first passengers to disembark. Diane remembered Senator Van Luven's words:

When you get to the airport, a gray Lincoln Town Car will be waiting for you.

The car was waiting at the terminal entrance. Standing next to it was an elderly Japanese man in a chauffeur's uniform. He stood up straight as Kelly and Diane approached him.

"Mrs. Stevens? Mrs. Harris?"

"Yes." "I'm Kunio." He opened the door of the car and they stepped in.

Moments later, they were on their way to Southampton.

"It is a two-hour drive," Kunio said. "The scenery is very beautiful." The last thing they were interested in was scenery. Both were busily thinking about the quickest way to explain to the senator what had happened.

Kelly said to Diane, "Do you think the senator will be in danger when we tell her what we know?" "I'm sure she'll have protection. She'll know how to handle this." "I hope so." After almost two hours the Town Car finally drove up to a large limestone mansion with a slate roof and tall, slender chimneys, in the style of eighteenth-century England.

There were extensive, manicured grounds, and they could see a separate house for the servant quarters and garage.

As the car stopped at the front door, Kunio said, "I will be waiting for you, if you need me." "Thank you." The door was opened by a butler. "Good morning. Come in, please. The senator is expecting you." The two women entered. The living room was elegant yet casual, furnished with an eclectic assortment of antiques and comfortable-looking couches and chairs. On the wall, above a large fireplace with a baroque mantel, were mirrored candle sconces.

The butler said, "This way, please." Kelly and Diane followed the butler into a large drawing room.

Senator Van Luven was waiting for them. She was wearing a light blue silk suit and blouse, and her hair was hanging loosely. She was more feminine-looking than Diane had expected.

"I'm Pauline Van Luven."

"Diane Stevens."

"Kelly Harris." "I'm glad to see you both. It's taken much too long." Kelly looked at Senator Van Luven, puzzled. "I'm sorry?" Tanner Kingsley's voice behind them said, "She means you have been very lucky, but your luck has just run out." Diane and Kelly turned. Tanner Kingsley and Harry Flint had come into the room.

Tanner said, "Now, Mr. Flint." Harry Flint raised a pistol. Without a word, he aimed at the women and fired twice.