always did, pumped blood. I was me. But I was no longer normal, no matter what routine stuff in which I immersed myself. Could I really function like this? Knowing he’d call me back anytime he wanted?
I had to.
Being away for a few days meant my mail box might be overflowing with letters and junk mail. I walked though my living room and out the front door to check. It was stuffed full and I retrieved it all, sorting it roughly as I stood there.
The petunias had wilted while I was away. At least the cosmos were happy. In the breeze, the white and pinky-purple flowers bobbed on their tall stalks. I gathered the mail catalogues and crap and turned to go back in. Some kids were playing further down the street, running around screaming.
“Hello.”
I shrieked, just a little, and dropped the junk mail.
Grimm Heller was here. In my front yard. Well, sort of. He stood on the footpath under the weeping willow and must have been concealed by the trunk until he stepped out.
Pretending he was inconsequential, I kneeled to gather the paper. “What are you doing here again?”
“Truth? I figured you needed a friend and I came past just in case you were home. I’m not staying here, in your yard. Too many strange things are happening.”
Yes, him, just happening to be here when I came home. Or was I being super-suspicious? No wonder. The men around me were making me that way.
Grimm was normal, nice, remember?
“Meet me down near that park down the road. Past that little lake.”
What?
Then he walked away. Stunned, I stared at the bright yellow catalogue for electrical goods in my hand. Why? Why was he bothering?
Why should I meet him?
Because, idiot, he wants to help.
Everyone was telling me what to do.
If I took the gun, I’d be fine. Fine. Ugh, that word I’d had to say so many times.
No. No fucking gun.
Guess I’d decided I would meet him.
Chapter 16
Zorie
The park reminded me of that other time with Reuben. The whole peaceful communing with nature thing had always worked for me. It’d be awful if I lost that. I stood under the spreading fig that overhung the car parking area and took a moment to let the stillness wash over me.
I’d dressed in shorts, exercise top, and gym shoes again, so I could pretend I was jogging. The second time in one day. At least I was getting fit. Now all I had to do was pretend I didn’t know Heller? Why did he think secrecy was good? Come to think of it, would Reuben care?
Mister Black had thought other men would bother Reuben.
Though Grimm wasn’t my lover. He must think I was being blackmailed. It was logical, if he thought me an innocent sort. Which, I had been.
I wasn’t now and not ever again. I shook my head, dismissing that whimper from my past.
Moving on.
In a twisted way, blackmail was right. This wasn’t happening of my own volition.
There he was, over on the grass beside the lake. Ducks were cruising past. The jogging path was behind him and on the other side of that, beneath the shade of trees, was a seat.
He wanted to help. I took a deep breath and started running. He wanted this to look like an accidental meeting. As if someone watched? Unlikely, but okay, play the game by his rules. From past experience this was going to be pure frustration. Speaking to him about what had happened to me would be impossible.
I jogged up to him, slowly, and heard him say to the air, when you come back around, sit on the seat. Feeling very secret agent, I did as he suggested, went around the circular path then slid onto the cool gray metal of the seat. Grimm had half turned and was throwing bread at the ducks, making plonk noises in the water. Masterful planning.
“This is all a bit silly, don’t you think?”
“I’m thinking ahead. You don’t want me here? I’ll go, forever.”
Panting lightly, I slumped back against the slats of the seat then wiped sweat from my face with one hand. The sun was out and glinting on the water and across the top of Grimm’s
I had to.
Being away for a few days meant my mail box might be overflowing with letters and junk mail. I walked though my living room and out the front door to check. It was stuffed full and I retrieved it all, sorting it roughly as I stood there.
The petunias had wilted while I was away. At least the cosmos were happy. In the breeze, the white and pinky-purple flowers bobbed on their tall stalks. I gathered the mail catalogues and crap and turned to go back in. Some kids were playing further down the street, running around screaming.
“Hello.”
I shrieked, just a little, and dropped the junk mail.
Grimm Heller was here. In my front yard. Well, sort of. He stood on the footpath under the weeping willow and must have been concealed by the trunk until he stepped out.
Pretending he was inconsequential, I kneeled to gather the paper. “What are you doing here again?”
“Truth? I figured you needed a friend and I came past just in case you were home. I’m not staying here, in your yard. Too many strange things are happening.”
Yes, him, just happening to be here when I came home. Or was I being super-suspicious? No wonder. The men around me were making me that way.
Grimm was normal, nice, remember?
“Meet me down near that park down the road. Past that little lake.”
What?
Then he walked away. Stunned, I stared at the bright yellow catalogue for electrical goods in my hand. Why? Why was he bothering?
Why should I meet him?
Because, idiot, he wants to help.
Everyone was telling me what to do.
If I took the gun, I’d be fine. Fine. Ugh, that word I’d had to say so many times.
No. No fucking gun.
Guess I’d decided I would meet him.
Chapter 16
Zorie
The park reminded me of that other time with Reuben. The whole peaceful communing with nature thing had always worked for me. It’d be awful if I lost that. I stood under the spreading fig that overhung the car parking area and took a moment to let the stillness wash over me.
I’d dressed in shorts, exercise top, and gym shoes again, so I could pretend I was jogging. The second time in one day. At least I was getting fit. Now all I had to do was pretend I didn’t know Heller? Why did he think secrecy was good? Come to think of it, would Reuben care?
Mister Black had thought other men would bother Reuben.
Though Grimm wasn’t my lover. He must think I was being blackmailed. It was logical, if he thought me an innocent sort. Which, I had been.
I wasn’t now and not ever again. I shook my head, dismissing that whimper from my past.
Moving on.
In a twisted way, blackmail was right. This wasn’t happening of my own volition.
There he was, over on the grass beside the lake. Ducks were cruising past. The jogging path was behind him and on the other side of that, beneath the shade of trees, was a seat.
He wanted to help. I took a deep breath and started running. He wanted this to look like an accidental meeting. As if someone watched? Unlikely, but okay, play the game by his rules. From past experience this was going to be pure frustration. Speaking to him about what had happened to me would be impossible.
I jogged up to him, slowly, and heard him say to the air, when you come back around, sit on the seat. Feeling very secret agent, I did as he suggested, went around the circular path then slid onto the cool gray metal of the seat. Grimm had half turned and was throwing bread at the ducks, making plonk noises in the water. Masterful planning.
“This is all a bit silly, don’t you think?”
“I’m thinking ahead. You don’t want me here? I’ll go, forever.”
Panting lightly, I slumped back against the slats of the seat then wiped sweat from my face with one hand. The sun was out and glinting on the water and across the top of Grimm’s
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