Page 123 of Roses Are Dead
She stuck her tongue out at that. “We need to put his boots next to John’s.” A euphemism we’d discussed at length. Great length.
“Bear’s bigger.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Naw, but I bet I can talk him into stripping naked in front of you and John to prove I’m right.”
Her shy smile meant she wasn’t convinced. Then she pulled the trump card. “There’s a reason I have four kids.”
I held up my hands in defeat. “You win.”
“You’re just letting me win because I can’t kick your ass right now.”
Busted. “Well, you just have to get better. Then we’ll see.” With that challenge in place, I felt a lot more hopeful leaving her. We both knew Carl needed a nudge to do the right thing. But maybe there was still hope in finding a different donor, if she’d just dig in and stay alive long enough.
That plagued my thoughts as I sipped horrible coffee and waited for Bear to return.
“No bodyguards today?”
Carl slipped into the chair next to mine.
I set the cold cup down so I wouldn’t spill it. “What are you doing here?”
He chuckled. “Following you.”
That wasn’t creepy at all…right? “Nice to see you care.”
His grin deepened. “You know I don’t.”
I turned to face him. “Then why go through all this?”
There was a glitter of light that danced across the shadows of his eyes. “Because it brings me so much joy to see you sad.”
“I think that’s the first honest thing you’ve said to me.”
“Don’t get used to it.” His eyes dipped to my clothing. “Harlot.”
“Murderer.”
Another grin. “It takes one to know one.”
“How’d you kill Fish?” I could use that information to bring justice to the world. Maybe in prison he wouldn’t have a choice whether to donate bone marrow or not.
His finger went up and wagged from side to side. “You don’t get my secrets anymore, Mary-Rose.”
I leaned back. “No? A shame. This conversation’s going to be so short.”
That made his eyes narrow as he tried to see through me. Then he leaned forward. “Did you know Beth has me banned from the visitor list? Her own donor can’t see her to wish her well.”
“You’re not going to donate again.”
“You and I know that. But the doctors don’t. They’re prepping me.” He tipped his head as if to say, See? I can play this game better.
“When’s your last shot?” They came in a series of daily doses. And if I could time a quick murder with his last dose, maybe…
“Monday. And I expect you to be with me for that one.”
I saw the game clearly. “Not sooner?” Hopefully, he’d say no just to spite me.
