روز سوم

A NEWSPAPER AD

On the premise that Evelyn knew she was being sought, Robert’s first step was to abjure fruitless searching and place an ad in the leading morning newspaper. He would importune in a most careful way for her return. The ad read, “Evelyn. Come out of hiding. I do not reproach you for your actions. I expect no penitent confession. There is nothing ambiguous about my offer. Please contact. Robert.”

He added a box number for a reply. When Robert went to the paper the next morning, he felt sanguine about the chances of locating her. His evanescent concerns disappeared; there was a letter for him, and with tremulous fingers he tore it open. It contained one sentence, and it was tantamount to a challenge; “If you really care about me, you will find me by midnight, Friday, Evelyn.”