Page 38 of Two for Joy

“I’ll have a word with her, tell her to back off. Did she say anything else?”

“She said that I’m tormenting you.”

“I guess you do in some ways.”

Chad recoiled. “What?”

“You’re right there, but I can’t touch you. I can’t even hear you properly—your voice fuzzes as it comes through the speaker. I can’t smell you. The only sense of mine that’s satisfied is my sight, but even that is compromised by the smudges on the barrier, and the hazy light behind you.”

“That’s not me tormenting you, but this room.”

“Whose fault is it I’m in here?”

Chad took a sharp inhale, and Romeo inwardly cursed himself. There was so much confliction in Chad’s face, a battle of rights and wrongs behind his eyes. Sometimes it was fascinating to watch, but not when Chad was already suffering.

“My fault.” Romeo smirked. “It’s my fault I’m here.”

Chad nodded solemnly.

“But one day, I’ll get out of here…”

Romeo waited for the glint in Chad’s eyes, the sparkle of hope and longing, and he wasn’t disappointed. It was there, treasure that only Romeo’s words could reveal, then Chad’s expression hardened, and the detective was back.

“You’re in here for life.”

He scrunched and released his hand several times, then took notice of his fidgeting and stopped.

“We’ll see.” Romeo whispered.

“I’ve—I’ve asked about visits next door.”

“The room without the barrier.”

“But they said it’s too risky.”

“This is for your own protection.” Paul said. “He might have manipulated you to a point that you’ve forgotten he’s dangerous, you’ve forgotten he tried to kill you, but he hasn’t manipulated the rest of us.”

“Thank you for your insight, Paul.” Romeo said, “It won’t be needed again.”

“Fuck you.”

“Anyway,” Romeo said, rolling his eyes. “Tell me what you’ve been doing, the parts you’re allowed to tell me?”

“I made paella last week.”

“Without the prawns?”

“Of course. And I watch Quiz Master every day. I’d easily beat your scores now.”

“That’s not fair, you’ve been practicing. All I’ve got to watch is the news and kids’ cartoons.”

“Some of those cartoons are good.”

“Maybe when you’re on antibiotics and morphine.”

Chad closed his eyes, laughing. “And I watched Aliens Attack last night. I remember how much you loved it.”

“I hated it.”

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