The Hard Bounce - [44]

I gave myself fifty-fifty odds that Kelly would even answer the buzzer. Something in me desperately needed to see her, to see this woman I barely knew, while another, smaller piece wanted to run away and hide in a corner.

To my surprise, the door just buzzed open and I walked in. At the apartment door, Kelly peeked out from behind the security chain. The one eye I could see widened in surprise when it saw me.

“Boo?” She said it in a hushed, curious tone. Like she was expecting someone else.

Maybe she was.

“Yeah. Sorry. Did I wake you?” She had on a pair of light blue pajamas and horn-rimmed granny glasses, so she was obviously in bed. I just didn’t have much else to say. I still wasn’t sure why I’d shown up.

She shook her head. “Uh, no.” She took the security chain off and opened the door. “I had to get up to open my door.”

“I’m sorry… I’ll go…”

I turned, but she reached out and tenderly touched my bruised face with her fingertips. “What happened?”

Until she pointed it out, I hadn’t realized I still looked as bad as I felt. “There was this pack of dingos, an orphan…”

She smirked, rolled her eyes. “Nobody likes a smartass, Boo.”

“Really? I’ve spent my life counting on somebody appreciating that quality in me.”

“Never mind. Get in here.”

“Were you expecting someone else?” I had to ask.

“Yeah. Occasional booty call. Likes to show up unannounced right about now,” she said, smirk widening a touch. She must have seen something in my face that said I wasn’t sure whether she was kidding or not. “I’m kidding.”

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding in. “Nobody likes a smartass, Reese.”

“Heard that.”

“The way you buzzed me in, you’re lucky I wasn’t some wacko.”

“Remains to be seen. Besides, I had Spike at the ready.” She held up her left hand. A spectacular pair of modified brass knuckles engulfed her small fist. At the strike point sat four nasty, inch-long spikes. I sure as hell wouldn’t want to get hit with them, even if it was by a girl. “Present from Daddy before I moved to the big, scary city,” she said as she walked back into her bedroom.

Kelly dropped Spike onto her night table with a thump and jumped into her bed, yawning deeply. “So, what’s going on?”

“I… um, was in the neighborhood.” It was true. Still sounded wicked retarded.

“What time is it, anyway?”

I didn’t bother looking at my watch. “It’s late. Too late for me to be stopping in. I’m sorry. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Don’t be stupid. You’re already here. I’m already awake, and I’m not mad. I’ve been trying to reach you again. Got a present for you.”

She stood up and leaned over to her purse on her bureau. She pulled out a cell phone. “Here.”

“Present from the boss?”

“Present from me. Getting tired of calling all around town looking for you. It’s prepaid and all set up. I even programmed a couple numbers for you.” She tumbled into bed again and patted the space next to her. “C’mere.”

I sat next to her on the bed. She leaned over and kissed me right on the point of the jaw where Sid’s fist had nearly removed it from my melon a day earlier. The blood in my veins stopped dead for a second, confused as to where to go. “What was that for?” I asked.

“That was for taking care of me the other night. I’m sorry it was so awkward in the morning.” She moved her lips a little higher and softly kissed my busted lip.

“What was that one for?”

“That was because I wanted to.” She wrapped herself around me in a warm embrace. “To let you know I still think you’re an attractive man, even when I’m sober.”

“Hmm,” was all I managed banter-wise.

“This isn’t, you know, bothering you, is it?”

Bothering me was the last thing it was doing. “No. It’s fine.” My voice sounded flat in my ears.

She let me go and turned my face to hers. “What’s wrong?” she asked firmly. “Is it me?”

“No… listen. I… I think you’re very attractive, but…”

I wanted to kiss her, badly. I wanted to lose myself in a simple act of physical intimacy.

Flashing knife.

A touch that wasn’t violent. That didn’t hurt. That wouldn’t make me bleed.

APA PANA

The softness of her pajamas against my fingers.

Clothes torn off.

Hair, smelling of vanilla shampoo.

Cut off.

An inch of smooth white skin, bellybutton underneath her pajama top.

Red.

I stood up, gasping, my breath struggling inside my tightened chest. “I think I should go.”

Kelly drew her knees up to her chest and hugged herself. Quietly, she said, “Maybe you should.”

I took a step. Stopped and just blurted, “I don’t think we’re going to find Cassandra.” It was the truth. Just not the whole truth. It was the first time I’d vocalized it, and the twinge of accompanying guilt rocked me.

Kelly didn’t say anything. I let my last sentence hang in the air. Finally, she said, “Did you get close?”

“Close enough. As close as we’re gonna get.”

“Don’t worry. I’m sure she’ll be fine. She’s a tough girl. If Mr. Donnelly has to go to the police, he’ll go to the police.”

“I…” I wanted to scream. She’s not fine! I failed! I fucking failed her! I clamped my jaw tight and put my face in my hands, massaging my temples.

“Hey,” she said as she stood up from the bed. She lifted my chin with her fingers. I let her. Her lips curled in a small, sad pout as she looked me in the eyes. “It’ll be fine.”