Page 93 of Wild Fever
"Hopefully, a lot more of that."
"Good answer.”
She sighed. "I don't know. I think I'm done with contract work. There has to be something more to life than moving from one dirty job to the next. Maybe I'll take some time to disappear into the shadows, travel the world, find myself again.”
"It's a new lease on life," I said.
She smiled. "It is. And I owe it all to you." She planted a soft kiss on my cheek.
Maybe her file was wrong. Maybe she wasn't emotionally closed off. Maybe she wasn’t a sociopath.
I passed out with Kara in my arms, in a state of heady bliss—a swirl of whiskey and pleasure chemicals.
I slept like a baby.
…Until my phone buzzed on the nightstand around 3:00 AM. I reached a sleepy hand for it, held the device to my ear, and scratched out, "Hello?"
"I'm sorry to call so late. But I need your help?”
"Vanessa?"
"I know it's late, but I didn't know who else to call,” she said, her voice tense with adrenaline. "And I didn't want to call the department before talking to you."
"What's going on?”
“I killed somebody." She swallowed hard, her mouth dry.
She had my full attention.
I felt around the bed for Kara, but the sheets were empty. I figured she might have gone to the head or was down in the galley scrounging up some late-night rations.
Vanessa continued. "Somebody broke into the house. I shot one of them. The other got away.”
"Are you sure he's dead?"
"Well, she wasn’t breathing last time I checked.”
“She?”
"You can see for yourself when you get here."
"Where are you?"
"I’m at my father's place. There were some things I needed to take care of, going through papers and such. I decided to go ahead and spend the night here.”
"Sit tight. I'll be right there.”
"Are you going to call the department, or should I?"
"I want to take a look at this first. Don't touch anything.”
"Gotcha."
I ended the call, wiped the sleep from my eyes, and pulled myself out of bed.
Kara's clothes were no longer on the deck.
I flipped on the light and found a note on the pillow. It read:I've never been much on goodbyes. I had fun. Maybe too much fun.That kind of thing can be habit-forming. I probably shouldn’t get addicted right now. Thanks for everything. I owe you one. Maybe I'll be able to pay you back someday. In the meantime, I'll be on my journey of self-discovery. XOXO.
