4 Who was Amanda to argue with that logic, and the offer of free food for at least a meal? Over lunch they broached every subject Sylvia could imagine, and some Amanda suspected she just made up to make her smile. Then, even though Amanda had been the one to offer the idea, Sylvia took the part of hostess on their outing together. Rather than stay in the apartment, the exuberant friend dragged the pale, hapless other woman for a fun time on the town. They visited high-end shops, ogled at store windows and harassed the birds in the parks. They had so much fun that Amanda was almost able to forget all her troubles, but occasionally she’d spot some dark clothing or they’d pass by a shadowed alley, and she’d recall that creature and Tony’s mission. Sylvia would notice her friend’s pensi