already.
I turned up the shower as hot as I could stand it, letting the water scald away the dark thoughts. Dripping wet, I towelled myself dry until my skin was stinging, then dressed and hurried downstairs. The hot shower made me feel better, but I still felt little enthusiasm as I went down to the hotel foyer. Paul was already there, scribbling intently in a small notepad as he waited on a sofa.
‘Sorry, have you been waiting long?’ I asked.
He stood up, tucking the notepad into a back pocket. ‘Only just got here. Sam’s in the car.’
He’d parked across the street. A pretty woman in her early thirties was waiting in the passenger seat. She had long, very blond hair and turned to face me as I slid into the back, her hands resting on her swollen stomach.
‘Hey, David, good to see you again.’
‘You too,’ I said, meaning it. There are some people you feel instantly at ease with, and Sam was one of them. We’d only met once, earlier that week, but it already seemed like I’d known her for years. ‘How are you feeling?’
‘Well, my back hurts, my feet ache, and you don’t even want to know about the rest. But other than that I can’t complain.’ She smiled to show she didn’t mean it. Sam was one of the lucky women who wear their pregnancy well. She fairly shone with health, and for all the discomfort it was obvious she was loving every moment.
‘Junior’s been playing up lately,’ Paul said, pulling out into the traffic. ‘I keep on telling Sam that’s a sure sign it’s a girl, but she won’t listen.’
Neither of them had wanted to know the sex of the baby. Sam had told me it would have spoiled the surprise. ‘Girls aren’t that boisterous. It’s a boy.’
‘Case of beer says you’re wrong.’
‘A case of beer? That’s the best you can do?’ She appealed to me. ‘David, what sort of bet is that for a pregnant woman?’
‘Sounds pretty shrewd to me. He gets to drink it even if he loses.’
‘Hey, you’re supposed to be on my side,’ Paul protested.
‘He’s got more sense,’ Sam said, swatting him.
I began to unwind as I listened to their banter. It felt good to see their happiness, and if I felt a tug of envy it was only a small one. When Paul pulled up into a parking space I was disappointed the short journey was over.
We were in the Old City, the one-time industrial heart of Knoxville. Some factories and warehouses still remained, but the area had undergone a genteel conversion, the industry giving way to bars, restaurants and apartments. Paul had parked a little way up the street from the steakhouse where everyone was meeting, an old brick building whose cavernous space was now filled with tables and live music. It was already busy, and we had to ease our way to a large group sitting by one of the windows. The half-empty beer glasses and laughter announced that they’d been there for some time, and for a second I faltered, wishing I’d not come.
Then space was found for me at the table, and it was too late. Introductions were made, but I forgot the names as soon as I heard them. Other than Paul and Sam, the only person I recognized was Alana, the forensic anthropologist who’d told me where to find Tom in the facility earlier. She was with a brawny man I guessed must be her husband, but the rest were either faculty members or students I didn’t know.
‘You’ve got to try the beer, David,’ Paul said, leaning round Sam to see me. ‘This place has its own microbrewery. It’s fantastic.’
I’d hardly touched alcohol in months, but I felt I needed something now. The beer was a dark brew served cold, and tasted wonderful. I drank half of it almost straight off, and set the glass down with a sigh.
‘You look like you needed that,’ Alana said from across the table. ‘One of those days, huh?’
‘Something like that,’ I agreed.
‘Had a few of those myself.’
She raised her glass in an ironic toast. I took another drink of beer, feeling myself begin to relax. The atmosphere around the table was informal and friendly, and I slipped easily into the conversations going on around me. When the food arrived I tore into it. I’d ordered steak and a green salad, and I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until then.
‘Having fun?’
Sam was grinning at me over the top of her glass of mineral water. I nodded, working to swallow a mouthful of steak.
‘Is it that obvious?’
‘Uh-huh. First time I’ve seen you look relaxed. You should try it more often.’
I laughed. ‘I’m not that bad, am I?’
‘Oh, just wound a little tight.’ Her smile was warm. ‘I know you came here to get some things straightened out. But there’s no law says you can’t enjoy yourself from time to time. You’re among friends, you know.’
I looked down, more affected than I wanted to admit. ‘I know. Thanks.’
She shifted in her seat and winced, putting her hand to her stomach.
‘Everything OK?’ I asked.
She gave a pained smile. ‘He’s a little restless.’
‘He?’
‘He,’ she said firmly, stealing a look across at Paul. ‘Definitely he.’
The plates were cleared away, desserts and more drinks ordered. I had coffee, knowing if I had another beer I’d regret it in the morning. I leaned back in my chair, savouring the slight buzz of well-being.
And then my good mood crashed around me.
From nowhere I caught a waft of musk, lightly spiced and unmistakable. A second later it had vanished, lost amongst the stronger odours of food and beer, but I knew I hadn’t imagined it. Recognition ran through me like an electric shock. For an instant I was back on the tiled floor of my hallway, the metallic stink of blood blending with a more delicate, sensual scent.
Grace Strachan’s perfume.
She’s here. I bolted upright in my seat, frantically looking around. The restaurant was a confusion of sound and colour. I scanned the faces, desperately searching for a telltale feature, some flaw in a disguise. She must be here somewhere. Where is she?
‘Coffee?’
I stared blankly up at the waitress who’d appeared next to me.
She was in her late teens, a little overweight. Her perfume cut through the cooking and bar-room smells: a cheap musk, heavy and cloying. Up close, it was nothing like the subtle perfume that Grace Strachan used.
Just similar enough to fool me for a second.
‘You order coffee?’ the waitress prompted, giving me a wary look.
‘Sorry. Yes, thank you.’
She set it down and moved on. My arms and legs prickled, shivery with the aftermath of adrenaline. I realized my hand was clenched so tightly around its scar that it hurt. Idiot. As if Grace could have followed you… Awareness of how brittle my nerves were, even here, left a sour taste in my mouth. I tried to force myself to relax but my heart was still racing. All at once there didn’t seem to be enough air in the room. The noise and smells were unbearable.
‘David?’ Sam was looking at me with concern. ‘You’ve gone white as a sheet.’
‘I’m just a little tired. I’m going to head on back.’ I had to get outside. I started fumbling notes from my wallet, not seeing what they were.
‘Wait, we’ll drive you.’
‘No!’ I put my hand on her arm before she could turn to Paul. ‘Please. I’ll be fine, really.’
‘You sure?’
I made myself smile. ‘Certain.’
She wasn’t convinced, but I was already pushing my chair back, dropping a handful of notes on to the table without knowing if it was enough or not. Paul and the others were still busy talking, but I didn’t stop to see if anyone else noticed me leave. It was all I could do not to break into a run as I barged through the door into the street. I sucked in deep breaths of the cool spring air, but didn’t stop even then. I kept walking, not knowing or
