Page 100 of What's the time, Mr. Wolfe
“I’m sorry,” I said, looking at the floor. It was mostly water.
“Up you get.” He took my hands and helped me stand. My legs shook, and he led me to the stools at the breakfast bar.
While I sat, he grabbed me a bottle of water. Hethen pulled off reams of kitchen towel from the roll and mopped up.
When he was done, he washed his hands and came and sat beside me.
“Why not just give the file to the police?” I asked.
“We will. The police have been looking for him for years as well. But do you think we’re just going to hand him over to sit in a nice little cell, or in solitary until he’s convicted?” He shook his head as he spoke. “Not a fucking chance, Ruby.”
I nodded then and closed my eyes.
We sat in silence then until I saw a light approaching. Someone was walking across the lawn and carrying a torch. Sebastian paused at the door and Tony unlocked them. I slid my stool and rushed over to him.
He was covered in blood, and he had a metallic smell about him. I wrapped my arms around his waist and rested my cheek to his chest. I could feel wetness and wasn’t sure if it was blood or sweat.
Tony passed us and patted Sebastian on the back. “I’ll finish up,” he said.
Sebastian gently pushed me back. “I’m sorry you saw that,” he said.
“Is he dead?” I asked.
Sebastian shook his head. “No, but he wishes he was.”
“What happens now?”
“Tony will dump him at a police station and leave the file we have on him.”
“Won’t they arrest Tony?”
“No, he’s not going to walk in the front door and announce himself. We’ve done this plenty of times before.”
I picked up his hands. “Was it worth it?” I whispered, looking at the cuts and blood.
“Yes,” he whispered back. “It’s always worth it, Ruby.”
I nodded, there wasn’t much we could say. I took his hand and led him upstairs and to the bathroom. I ran the bath as he had done for me. While he undressed, I sat on the edge and ruffled up bubbles. He climbed in and lowered. He sighed, and then closed his eyes. I picked up a sponge and dipped it in the water. I placed the sponge to his forehead and squeezed. The water washed the blood from his face. I did the same to his neck, and then I gently washed his hands and arms. He sunk under the water for a moment and when he emerged, he swept the water from his head. He looked at me.
“Get in, Ruby,” he said.
I stripped off my clothes and slid in, my back to his chest. All I did was rest back and let the hot water soothe us both until Sebastian shuffled behind me. I leaned forwards to allow him to stand. He stepped from the bath and wrapped a towel around his waist.
“I can’t sit still for too long,” he said, holding out a towel for me.
He wrapped it around me, and we walked into the bedroom. While I sat on the edge of the bed, he dried himself.
“Is that it now?” I asked. “Is he the last?”
“For now.”
He sat beside me. “I never wanted you to see that. It’s why I said I’d collect you.”
“I did text back. I thought I was doing you a favour by walking over.”
“Well, it’s done now. He isn’t your father, Ruby, I’m sure of that.”
“I’m glad. I can’t imagine having him as a father. Do you think he was telling the truth about my mother?”
