The Girl on the Edge of Summer by J.M. Redmann

Author:J.M. Redmann [J.M. Redmann]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781626396883
Amazon: B06XP8ZZ2S
Barnesnoble: B06XP8ZZ2S
Goodreads: 35165010
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2017-04-18T03:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

The library seemed a kinder, gentler place than the cold, cruel (okay, reasonably temperate) world outside. A hushed calm, Cindy, my favorite archivist, happy to lend a hand. And an excuse to not be at home or my office or even have my cell phone on.

As for being arrested, I’d think about that tomorrow. Another day and all that.

There was a single candle burning when I arrived home, so late as to be closer to morning than night.

“You needn’t have waited up,” I told Alibe, quickly kissing her on the cheek, the haste to avoid that she might catch the lingering stench of death. “We have electricity, you needn’t consign yourself to a flickering candle.”

“There is no reason to waste it; all I need is to keep the dark out, and the candle is enough.”

I had gone to the washbasin to wash my face and hands, as if mere water could erase the taint of what I had seen. Looking up at her, the water still dripping on my face, I saw the lines of care etched on her face.

“You needn’t worry on me. I’m with other officers of the law, well protected.” Better protected than even you, but I did not say that. The woman I had seen tonight was younger than my dear Alibe.

“I know. I suppose it’s silly of me. But I can’t sleep, I might as well be up so when you come home, I can rest with you.”

“What worries you?” I asked, wiping the water from my face and hands. “I am with armed men, as well as armed myself. My badge protects me.”

“I know. But you’re on the streets few respectable people tread. One bullet, one knife. And to be selfish, I worry about what would happen to me without you. I have little to sustain me beyond my marriage to you.”

I am a man and have made my way in the world as such, with opportunities both of education and work enough to keep myself. The world of a woman is not something I had much considered. Of course, I pitied the women of the District, wondered what had led them to such a life, the choices they had made. But little considered the choices they had. Could the death of a husband so callously bring to fruition the worries I beheld on my wife’s face?

“I will not let that happen,” I said, wrapping my arms around her. “For my own sake, I am careful on my behalf. I will be doubly more for your sake.”

She relaxed in my embrace. But I still felt the tension in her back. We both knew my words alone were no protection, a guttering candle against the darkness.

I woke before her in the morn, my thoughts still on the night, the young girl dead too soon, and what Alibe had said, her care of what would happen to her if I were to be killed or disabled.

I made the coffee and toast, something she usually did.

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