Page 21 of Pursuing the Egoist
Yugo snorted. “Why would I? It’s ten PM. I assume you didn’t shave for me. So either you saw her already or are about to. Given you are stuck here, with me, for God knows how long, I presume you already met her. Am I right?” When Greg said nothing, Yugo teased, “She must be really something to capture your attention and make you all worked up.”
Greg scratched his neck, red spots blooming all over his face. Yugo nearly dropped his jaw. The forever emotionless Greg was blushing like a teenage girl in love.
“Are you embarrassed because I asked you about a girl?”
Greg shifted, obviously wanting to say something, but the door on the screen flew open.
“Later. Volume up,” Yugo ordered, concentrating. Greg complied.
Giving another look down the desolate corridor, Leiris closed the door and peeled himself out of the black leather jacket. Streams of water rushed down the sleeves. His short hair stood spiked, glinting in the electric light. Leiris looked ruffled, disheveled, and out of breath as if he’d been running. The carpet pile, absorbing the dripping water, turned a few shades darker beneath Leiris’ feet.
Without waiting for him to undress, the tiny brunette threw herself into his arms, causing him to drop his jacket to the floor and wrap his arms around her back.
“Easy there,” Leiris said. Yugo hummed, finding his timbre pleasant. Not too low, not too high, it still carried the ringing echo of youth.
Lena buried her face in his neck, and Kuon patted her head. Yugo thought the gesture was rather fraternal than sexual.
“What is it?” Leiris caressed her pale cheek, but she flinched away from his touch and strolled toward the window. Pressing her palms against the windowsill, she looked at the sky.
“Kuon, I can’t wait anymore.” The reproach in her voice made Yugo inch closer to the screen.
“I know,” Leiris said, bent down, and picked up his jacket. After plucking a square, brown envelope out of the inner pocket, he tossed the jacket onto a horrendous, mustard-colored padded stool and approached the woman. “I’ve got your passport and ticket. You’ll leave tonight.”
“Leave?” She spun so fast, her long hair swished then cocooned her shoulders. “Look at my body, Kuon.”
She lifted her loose, black cardigan and the top underneath, revealing a scattering of purple bruises. Kuon cringed. With a gentle hand, he caught her elbow and sat her on the couch before rushing to the bathroom. When he returned, a white terrycloth towel steamed in his hands. He asked her to lie down, rolled her top up, and wrapped the towel around her torso.
“He will never let me leave. He will find me no matter where I go, and then he will kill me.” She covered her eyes with her forearm. “And, honestly, I don’t want to leave now. I want to see him writhe in agony. I want to see him suffer. I don’t want to be running all my life, looking over my shoulder. I want to see him rot.”
She lifted and grabbed the collar of Leiris’ shirt, tugging him closer until he sat on the edge of the couch next to her.
“Do something.” Yugo couldn’t see Leiris’ expression, but he saw hers. The fire of hatred in the woman’s eyes burned fiercely. “Arrest him. Kuon, I’m fucking scared. I think he knows something.”
Yugo shot a glance at the back of Greg’s head. “Does he?”
Greg shrugged without looking back.
“I will.” The man on the screen brushed a strand of hair away from the woman’s forehead. “But you need to leave. If you don’t leave tonight, I won’t be able to protect you. I have a safe house waiting for you in Ireland.”
“A safe house?” She laughed; the towel slipped from her torso. “You don’t know him. I will never be safe while he’s breathing. Kill him for me. You are a police officer. No one will question you. You know how to make it look like self-defense or an accident, don’t you? Do it tonight.”
The minutes stretched, but Leiris didn’t utter a word. Finally, Lena slumped back onto the couch and closed her eyes. “Fuck you… Fuck him. Fuck everyone!”
“Your train is in six hours,” Kuon’s voice came out soft.
“When will you arrest Sergen?”
“Soon. Something’s happening. People talk about a huge batch coming from Iran. Pure like Jesus’ tears. I feel I’m close, Lena.”
“People talk?” She sat up again. Her dark, deer-like eyes glowed with hope as her tiny fingers clasped Kuon’s biceps. “He called someone yesterday. He was talking about driving to Slovenia in a week. A9 Autobahn. December six. Could this be it? Please, tell me this is it. You can finally arrest him!”
“I will, I promise. But you have to leave tonight,” Kuon repeated. “Don’t open the door and don’t talk to anyone. Take a cab to the train station, but don’t order it from the hotel. Walk a block before catching a cab, you hear me?”
“Won’t you even take me to the station?” She scooted up to her knees, looking at Leiris with a feverish gaze.
“We can’t be seen together. I’ll call you tomorrow. Keep your phone on.”
Kuon got up and wandered to the door. He picked up his jacket and reached for the doorknob. Rushing after him, Lena grabbed his elbow and pulled him around.
