Dark Waters (The Jeff Resnick Mysteries) by Bartlett L.L

Author:Bartlett, L.L. [Bartlett, L.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Polaris Press
Published: 2013-09-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

I’d been staring at nothing for so long, trying not to think, that it took three taps on my shoulder before it registered that someone was trying to get my attention. I looked up.

“Mind if I sit down?” Richard asked.

I turned back to face the wall. “It’s a free country. Or, at least it used to be.”

Richard took the seat opposite me, setting a glass and a bottle of Molson Blue on the table. “I’d offer to get you something, but I see you’re already taken care of.”

I glared at him. “I’m not drunk.”

“I didn’t say you were.”

I watched as he poured his drink. “You missed supper. Good thing, too. The steaks were charred — just the way Evelyn likes them.”

I couldn’t look him in the eye and felt myself squirm. “I suppose Sam called you.”

“Yup. He said you broke your camera.”

“I dropped it. It’s toast.”

“Cameras can be fixed — or replaced. People can’t.”

“You’re not telling me anything new,” I said and wet my lips with my drink. I didn’t have the stomach to actually sip it.

“I talked to Maggie.” He let out a breath. “She’s really bummed. Lily took a tumble today.”

I looked up. “Is she okay?”

“She will be, but man — doesn’t it seem like the world has been shitting on everything and everybody we know?”

“I’ll drink to that,” I said, and actually took a minute sip of my bourbon.

Richard raised his glass and took a sip. “Is Herschel okay?”

“He was last time I saw him.” Damn, he was going to need to be fed — and soon.

“Speaking from personal experience, I don’t think Maggie’s in a position to have a guest right now.” I looked up, met his gaze, and found it full of concern. “She sounds pretty damned depressed.”

“Are you trying to lay a guilt trip on me?”

“No,” he said, adamant. “It’s just an observation. Do you want to stay in a hotel for a few days?”

“I’ve thought about it. The idea really doesn’t appeal to me. I like sleeping in my own bed — or Maggie’s, but as you inferred, that ain’t gonna happen for a while.”

“Your bathroom window’s fixed. The place has been cleaned, exterminated, and all the light bulbs replaced.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s the least I could do.” He drank more of his beer while I stared into the depths of my glass.

“I had a locksmith come over, too. I’ve got an extra key to your place. The only extra key. Brenda — and Maggie — can have one after our guests leave.”

“And do you have a departure date?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

“No. My point is, nobody but me is going to get in without your say so.”

“Unless they break a window.”

“That isn’t going to happen.”

“And you know this because?”

“I had a talk with Da-Marr.”

I let out a breath and polished off the rest of my drink, letting the glass smack the table with a thunk. Richard drained his glass, too.

“I’m damned sorry the kid has badgered you — and I’m not trying to trivialize what he’s done.

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