Page 118 of Two for Joy

“Good, because I don’t think I can.”

“I’m sorry I left you behind.”

“That … hurt.”

“If it’s any consolation, it hurt me, too.”

“Where—where do we go from here?”

“I mean the room’s hideous, but the bed looks acceptable.”

Chad snorted. “I meant, after … the bed.”

“Whatever you decide.”

Chad wriggled out of Romeo’s grip and looked at him. “What does that mean?”

“I’ll do what’s best for you. If you want me to come out of the shadows, get arrested, and go back inside, I will.”

“No.” Chad said, shaking his head. “No way.”

“Then tell me, Chad. I waited for you, now what is it you want to do next?”

His eyebrows drew together in thought, then he lifted his head.

“First, I want to sue the Canster Times for all they’ve got for the articles they wrote on me.”

A prang of something like guilt twisted Romeo’s stomach, but he didn’t admit to anything. “Good idea.”

“And then I’m going to apply for a detective job in Poole … far away from here.”

“Also good.”

“I’ll get a house, set back from the road, away from other houses.”

“Like a farmhouse?”

“Yeah, maybe. And … I want you to be there.”

Romeo smiled. “Yeah?”

“I know being shut away in a farmhouse isn’t much difference to being locked up—

“You’re kidding right? This room we’re in now is four times the size of my cell. I was allowed one hour outside and had no entertainment. The only thing keeping me going was your visits.”

“Still, keeping you in a house, like you’re a pet … like a dog.”

Romeo snorted. “It will do for now. Besides, I’m sure Poole has a homeless population, and businessmen, and farmers, and whatever other disguises I can come up with.”

Chad swallowed loudly. “And no more … killing?”

“I completed what I set out to, got my allowance of five.”

“But urges … desires, compulsions, whatever it is, they don’t just go away.”

“I’ve kept my need at bay for most of my life, I can do it again.”

Chad didn’t look convinced, and Romeo sighed. “I could ask you the same question.”

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