Page 104 of In The Dark
“Yup. I’m also going to clean out a drawer in my dresser so you can keep some clothes here. There will be space in my closet for you too, and a desk where you can grade worksheets and vocabulary lists. Anything you could ever want, I’ll give you.”
Max blinks, and I see the tears in her eyes. “That’s very domesticated of you.”
“I can be a house husband, baby. I’m a man who wears many hats.”
“I’ll say. Is there anything I can do to help with Connor?”
“All taken care of.” I unzip my pants but leave my briefs on, facing her. “Want to wait for me in the living room? I’m going to finish getting ready, and I’ll be out in a few.”
“I’m taking my book you stole and a blanket.” She pauses. “I wish I wanted to stay in here, but I’m not ready to?—”
“You don’t have to be, remember?”
“Yeah.” Her smile is soft. “You’re a good man, Hunter Wilder.”
“You make me a good man, angel.”
She blows me a kiss and disappears, and I know I’d trudge through hell and back just to see her smile like that again.
“Second to last shift.How are you feeling?” Leo tosses me a rubber knife and grabs his mask. “Wishing you were home with Max?”
“Yup.” I zip up my jumpsuit and shove the knife in my pocket. “But it’s only eight hours, then I can see her.”
“That’s not long at all. Hey. I’ve been meaning to ask you about Connor.”
“What about him?”
“All of your killings are usually planned, but you went rogue with him. What did you do with his cell phone?”
“I tossed it in a dumpster that’s been taken to an incinerator. Luckily for me, he doesn’t have any cameras outside his home. Neither do his neighbors, so there’s no footage of him being loaded into my car. Guess he changed names and towns again.”
“Smart.” Leo grins. “I’m proud of you, man. I know that’s the most attached you’ve been to a… client before, but you got the job done.”
“Yeah, after he made a goddamn mess. My back is still sore from scrubbing the basement floor. Maybe downstairs will flood with the next hurricane, and all the evidence will disappear.”
“Those meteorologists I watch said hurricane season goes until the end of November. That’s a whole month for the weather gods to work in our favor.”
“Wouldn’t that be nice?” I stifle a yawn and silence my phone. “Ready to get in position? I want to be out there before Janey comes by. I’m trying to stay in her good graces.”
“Sothat’swhy you brought her a coffee the size of her head when we clocked in today. Because you’re sucking up.”
“Obviously.” I hold open the trailer door, gesturing for him to go down the stairs first. “When have I ever not sucked up?”
“Never. What position do you want to start with?”
“I’ll take the middle of the house. It’s my favorite spot, and come next year, I’m sure I’ll miss it. Gotta soak up the time I can.”
“Look who’s feeling nostalgic just in time to retire.” Leo knocks his shoulder against mine and waves to the crowd standing in line. “Ready?”
“Yup. I’ll see you on break. Hey! Want to play haunted house bingo to keep tonight interesting?” I call out when we split off to head in different directions. “Last one to get five in a row is on dish duty.”
“Deal.” Leo gives me a salute and turns to the left. “I’m going to kick your ass, Wilder.”
I chuckle and find my spot in the house, shucking off my robe. The technicians said the air conditioning has been acting up today, and I groan at the oppressive heat that greets me. I’m already sweating, and with an hour to go before our first rotation, I’m going to be miserable by the time break rolls around.
The house lights shut off, signaling the five minute warning before the firsts guests come through the line. I test my AAD, making sure the sound cues are synced up, then take a swig from my water bottle.
“Two minutes,” Janey calls out, making her final walk through. “Good to see you, Hunt.”
