“I think she went to Nanaimo.She was gone when I woke up.”
He smiles. “I need to talk toher.”
“Looks like you’re out ofluck.”
“Oh, that’s okay.” He stands andstretches. “Let Annie know I’ll be coming back, will you?”
How the hell does he knowAnnie’s name? She’s not on the house papers, or mailing lists…
Denny. I bet Denny told him. Ifeel a wave of anger. That son of a bitch.
Dickson slowly walks down thestairs and waves without turning around. Just as I’m about to walkinto the house, he turns on his heel and faces me. “Does anyonehere have any long-term illnesses?”
I hadn’t expected that. “Likewhat?”
“I don’t know. Anything.”
What a weird question.
“Nope. I’d say we’re all healthyaround here.”
He nods, thanks me for my time,and walks away.
I wait fifteen minutes until I’msure the detective has left the property before trying Denny. Hisphone rings four times and then goes to messages. Shit.
I’ve got to find out exactlywhat he told the cops. If know what he said, I can try andcounteract a shit storm before it happens. I don’t want Annie toget into trouble.
I realise the ridiculousness inwhat I’m thinking. Why would she get in trouble? She is the victimin all of this. Robbie getting murdered is tragic, really—I wishthe bastard had lived so that he could’ve been charged with rape.Then again, Annie likely wouldn’t have testified.
I think about the day that Annieand I saw Robbie on the beach, no obvious signs of violence on hisbody. Maybe the cops are mistaken. Maybe he was just drunk orstoned, staggered from the house, grabbed my seat cushion to sleepon and then fell into the water. That sounds far more likely thanhim being murdered.
I dial Annie. I have no idea howto tell her that the detective was here looking to talk to her.She’ll freak. Maybe I’ll just wait. The last thing I want is togive her a reason to run again.
She answers, sounding upbeat andhappy. “I just finished my appointment. It was a hell of a wait.He’s a good doctor though. He gave me tons of free prenatalvitamins, plus some books for expecting parents.”
“That’s awesome,” I say, tryingto sound like nothing else is on my mind.
“Hey, I’m stopping at the mall.I want to buy something sexy before I start looking like aVolkswagen with feet.”
“You don’t even look pregnant,Annie. You look stunning. Even when you do gain baby weight, you’llstill be a knock-out.”
“Thanks.” I can tell she’ssmiling. “Oh, and while I’m gone, don’t forget to book the churchand the pastor. Hopefully they’re free on the fifteenth.”
The moment I hang up, I redialDenny. Again, there’s no answer.
I wish Dickson would’ve revealedmore about his findings, but I could tell he has a script that hefollows when questioning people. The thing is, if he weren’tquestioning me and the girl I love, I feel like I’d actually likehim.
When Annie gets home, she hasbags, books and groceries with her. Stinky sticks his nose througheach tote until he discovers a rawhide bone. Good. Something tokeep him occupied that won’t give him gas.
Later in bed, I read while Annietakes a shower. Before she comes out, she tells me to close myeyes. A few seconds later, I hear the stereo come on and a greasyblues song starts to play. I smile. She calls Stinky out of theroom and I hear the bedroom door close. The smell of lavenderfloats past me. “Okay,” she says in a sultry tone, “Open youreyes.”
As my eyes focus, Annie comesinto view. She’s standing by the stereo wearing stiletto shoes,thigh high black lace stockings and a tiny sheer negligee and pantyset. Her hair is wet and she’s wearing shiny red lipstick. Shestarts to move her hips in time with the music. In her stilettoheels she struts up to the side of the bed, gyrating and grindinglike a pro. With one movement, her negligee comes off. She smiles adevilish grin and then undoes her lace demi bra. Her skin is stillshiny from the shower.
Slowly, she slides down herG-string, staring into my eyes. Then she crawls up the bed, sleek,like a jaguar closing in on its prey. Grabbing her by the waist, Ipull her up to me. She kisses me with a hunger I’m not used to. Iswear I can taste blood on my lips.
I roll us over so she’s on herback. Slowly, I kiss and lick her soft, supple skin until my mouthengulfs her sex. Her body jolts in ecstasy. She tries to stop me soshe can return the favour but I won’t let her.
Chapter Ten
It’s 6 AM and Annie is cuddledup in front of me. I slowly reach out and tap the off button on thealarm. I beat it by five minutes. I’ve got no choice. As much as Iwant to stay home, if I don’t get my ass out of bed and get towork, I’ll be looking for a new job.
I’m worried about leaving herhome by herself. What if Dickson comes back? I hadn’t mentionedthat to her yet—what if she says something that can implicateher?
When I’m dressed and ready togo, I walk back into the bedroom, lean down and gently kiss her onthe head. Her eyes flicker open, and she smiles and wraps her armsaround my neck.
***
In the ferry line up, I hear mycell phone ring in my backpack. I quickly dig past my lunch, workgloves and smokes before finding my phone.
It’s hard to make the voice out.All I hear is crackling noises and static. “Annie?”
Someone says something, but Ican’t make out words through the static.
I don’t know the number, but Irecognize the first three digits as coming from somewhere inVancouver. When the noise finally stops, the person speaks again.“It’s me, Denny.” His voice is tired and scratchy.
“Denny? Where the hell have youbeen?”
“It’s a long story.”
“Well, I’ve got time.”
He clears his throat but stillsounds raspy. “Sorry I missed your call. I just got my phoneback.”
“Why? Where was your phone?”
“Probably at the nursingstation.”
“Nursing station? Are you in thehospital?”
“Just for a few days. I had alittle accident.”
“What? Are you okay? Whathappened?”
“Well, this may be a little hardto believe, but a razor blade attacked
