Chapter 15

           IntheNewHampshirevillage,everyforeignphenomenonwasproperlynoticedbyhousewivespeeringfromwindows,storekeepersloungingbehindtheirdoors.AndsowhentheblackautomobilebearingNewYorklicenseplatesstoppedinfrontoftheAdams’home,everycitizenknewaboutitinamatterofminutes.

           KayAdams,reallyasmall-towngirldespitehercollegeeducation,wasalsopeeringfromherbedroomwindow.Shehadbeenstudyingforherexamsandpreparingtogodownstairsforlunchwhenshespottedthecarcomingupthestreet,andforsomereasonshewasnotsurprisedwhenitrolledtoahaltinfrontofherlawn.Twomengotout,bigburlymenwholookedlikegangstersinthemoviestohereyes,andsheflewdownthestairstobethefirstatthedoor.ShewassuretheycamefromMichaelorhisfamilyandshedidn’twantthemtalkingtoherfatherandmotherwithoutanyintroduction.Itwasn’tthatshewasashamedofanyofMike’sfriends,shethought;itwasjustthathermotherandfatherwereold-fashionedNewEnglandYankeesandwouldn’tunderstandherevenknowingsuchpeople.

           Shegottothedoorjustasthebellrangandshecalledtohermother,"I’llgetit."Sheopenedthedoorandthetwobigmenstoodthere.OnereachedinsidehisbreastpocketlikeagangsterreachingforagunandthemovesosurprisedKaythatsheletoutalittlegaspbutthemanhadtakenoutasmallleathercasewhichheflappedopentoshowanidentificationcard."I’mDetectiveJohnPhillipsfromtheNewYorkPoliceDepartment,"hesaid.