Page 35 of Nine Lives

“I see it, because I never go anywhere new. They park in the same place across the street from me.”

“You went somewhere new tonight.”

“That’s true, I did. And I wanted to tell everyone about it at the dinner party, but I didn’t. Do you tell people?”

“Nope. I mean, that’s not entirely true. I told my friend Hannah, but it was late at night and I’m not sure she even believed me. Charlie told me to keep it to myself, though.”

“Who’s Charlie?”

“Oh, sorry. The police officer in charge of my protection.”

“You call him by his first name?”

“I do. He’s become my bud. What do you call your police officer?”

“Officer Hanley. She’s nice but she’s very serious, and I can’t imagine calling her by her first name.”

“That’s probably for the best. Someone named Officer Hanley sounds like someone who will keep you alive. Someone named Charlie is the guy bleeding out next to you after you’ve both been shot.”

“But you’ll be dying next to your new best bud,” Caroline said. “It’ll be romantic.”

“Yes, you’re right. If I’ve gotta go, I want Charlie by my side.” Ethan had slid down along his bed and had relaxed. Talking to Caroline was going well.

“Are you scared?” she said.

“Of dying?”

“Well, not just dying, but dying soon. Dying because we’re on the list.”

“I am scared, I guess. I was very scared when they first told me they were going to put me under police protection, but now I’ve almost gotten used to it. Also, I google the names from the list every day looking for reports of death, and I haven’t seen anyone’s name come up since Matthew Beaumont.”

“So you didn’t see Arthur Kruse?”

“What?” Ethan pushed himself up a little onto his pile of pillows.

“I saw it today. There was a memorial held for an Arthur Kruse in Massachusetts. Nothing about how he died.”

“How’d I miss that?”

“I think it’s brand-new. I saw it this afternoon.”

“So that’s three.”

“Yep, that’s three,” Caroline said. “Three that we know about, anyway. I thought that was why you wanted to call me.”

“No, I just... I just wanted to actually talk to you for once, instead of texting.”

“I’m glad you did. It’s nice to hear your voice.”

“Jesus. Did the article say when he died?”

“No. Nothing. It was just a short notice about his memorial service, and how he’d been an oncology nurse. You should ask Charlie about it. Maybe he has some information.”

“Charlie and I don’t talk about work together. We’re more music buddies. And beer buddies. He talks a lot about craft breweries. I really am going to die with Charlie by my side, aren’t I?”

“It sounds like it.”

They both laughed a little, then were quiet for a moment.

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