With a new foreword by Riley Sager, a thrilling mystery from the Queen of Suspense about a journalist who uncovers political schemes and revisits hidden secrets from the past. I told you not to come… Slipped under the door of her Georgetown home, the note was an ominous reminder of Pat Traymore’s past. The beautiful young television journalist had come to glamorous, high-powered Washington to produce a TV series. Her subject: Senator Abigail Jennings, slated for nomination as the first woman vice president of the United States. With the help of an old flame, Pat delves into Abigail’s life, only to turn up horrifying facts that threaten to destroy the senator’s reputation and her career. Worse still, sinister connections to Pat’s own childhood and the nightmare secrets hidden within are surfacing—secrets waiting to destroy her. The past and present collide in a battle for truth and survival with every revelation in this suspenseful, thrilling tale from the inimitable Mary Higgins Clark. Mona Simpson The New York TImes Book Review Mary Higgins Clark is a master plotter, seeding Stillwatch with crimes, clues, and psychopathic quirks that pay off.... Cathy Collison Detroit Free Press Clark's forte is making a normal situation chilling....{there is} sher terror when Mary Higgins Clark is the craftswoman. Jeannine Klein United Press International You can't put it down until the last page is turned.... Stillwatch hurtles to a terrifying conclusion. "I told you not to come..." Slipped under the door of her Georgetown home, the note was an ominous reminder of Pat Traymore's past. The beautiful young television journalist had come to glamorous, high-powered Washington to produce a TV series. Her subject: Senator Abigail Jennings, slated for nomination as the first woman vice president of the United States. With the help of an old flame, Congressman Sam Kingsley, Pat delves into Abigail's life, only to turn up horrifying facts that threaten to destroy the senator's reputation and her career. Worse still, sinister connections to Pat's own childhood and the nightmare secrets hidden within it are surfacing -- secrets waiting to destroy her. The #1 New York Times bestselling author Mary Higgins Clark wrote over forty suspense novels, four collections of short stories, a historical novel, a memoir, and two children’s books. With bestselling author Alafair Burke she wrote the Under Suspicion series including The Cinderella Murder , All Dressed in White , The Sleeping Beauty Killer , Every Breath You Take , You Don’t Own Me , and Piece of My Heart . With her daughter Carol Higgins Clark, she coauthored five suspense novels. More than one hundred million copies of her books are in print in the United States alone. Her books are international bestsellers. STILLWATCH By Mary Higgins Clark Pocket Books Copyright © 1984 Mary Higgins Clark. All rights reserved. ISBN: 0-671-52820-3 Chapter Sixteen On the twenty-third of December at 2 P.M. Senator Abigail Jennings sat in thelibrary of her home with Toby and Philip and watched the telecast as the VicePresident of the United States formally tendered his resignation to the ChiefExecutive. Her lips dry, her fingernails digging into her palms, Abigail listened as theVice President, propped on pillows in his hospital bed, ashen-faced andobviously dying, said in a surprisingly strong voice, "I had expected towithhold my decision until after the first of the year. However, I feel that itis my clear duty to vacate this office and have the line of succession to ChiefExecutive of this great country uncompromised. I am grateful for the confidencethe President and my party expressed when I was twice chosen to be the VicePresidential candidate. I am grateful to the people of the United States forhaving given me the opportunity to serve them." With profound regret, the President accepted the resignation of his oldfriend and colleague. When asked if he had decided on a replacement, he said, "Ihave a few ideas." But he declined to respond to the names suggested by thepress. Toby whistled. "Well, it's happened, Abby." "Senator, mark my words . . ." Philip began. "Be quiet and listen!" she snapped. As the scene in the hospital room ended,the camera focused on Luther Pelham in the newsroom of Potomac Cable. "A historic moment," Luther began. With dignified reticence he recounted abrief history of the Vice Presidency and then came to the point. "The time hascome for a woman to be selected for the high office . . . a woman with thenecessary experience and proved expertise. Mr. President, choose her now." Abigail laughed sharply. "Meaning me." The phone began to ring. "That will be reporters. I'm not in," she said. An hour later the press was still camped outside Abigail's home. Finally sheagreed to an interview. Outwardly she was calm. She said that she was busy withpreparations for a Christmas supper for friends. When asked if she expected tobe appointed