Page 108 of So Close

He exhales heavily. “If Laska’s been communicating with your mother, the evidence will be on his phone. If it’s there, we’ll find it.”

“She has multiple aliases. She might even be using a masculine name. She and Val may use a coded language or –”

“I know what to look for. I’ll let you know if I find anything. The jewels are back in the safe.”

“Thank you.”

I listen to him leave, then hear Tovah’s lighter steps approach. Salma resumes tugging on my scalp annoyingly.

When Witte returns, rolling into the kitchen with a wire cart filled with groceries, we’re seated at the kitchen table, eating the salads. Lacy is working in a distant part of the condo after the security team gave us a heads-up of Witte’s return. Tovah, Salma and I are reading a gossip blog on the tablet and laughing over a photo of Tom Hiddleston wearing a tank top with “I love T. S.” – i.e., his girlfriend Taylor Swift – emblazoned across it.

“Would Kane wear something like that for you?” Tovah queries.

“Never,” I say with feeling.

We all laugh, Witte smiles, and I feel like I’m living a sitcom version of my life. Nothing feels real. The salad, which has Tovah and Salma in raptures, feels and tastes like I’m eating damp chunks of cardboard. My stomach revolts against digesting anything, but I force it to comply. I can make my body do many things it instinctively doesn’t want to do.

“I was able to pick up some lovely ripe strawberries,” Witte says. “I can serve them with fresh whipped cream if you’ve any room left for dessert.”

“That sounds amazing,” I tell him.

“Do you have a brother, Witte?” Tovah asks. “Please say yes.”

“Or a son?” Salma quips.

It’s all so horribly, frighteningly normal. I play my part, telling myself I’ve done what I must to keep this unexpected life with you.

When you come home, I’m waiting by the door. It swings open, you step inside, and I launch myself at you the way I did at Val – with all the force I possess. You rock back on your heels and drop your satchel, catching me with a laugh. My feet leave the floor.

“Well … I definitely like coming home to this,Setareh.” You give me a youthful grin followed by a deep, lush kiss. “I missed you like crazy, too. Almost more than I could stand.”

And while I have you in my arms, I think it’s all been worthwhile. I hope the worst is over. I’m also terrified it’s not.

48

WITTE

Manhattan shimmerslike diamonds on black velvet as the city sprawls around the penthouse tower. A storm is brewing. The skyscraper where we reside creaks as it sways in ever more tempestuous winds. Light rain pelts the windows, clinging to the glass like tears. In the distance, I see lightning. The flashes of destructive beauty briefly illuminate the roiling clouds, then plunge them into stygian black.

My employer sits at his desk, looking at my mobile’s screen. He’s freshly showered and has changed into black silk trousers, and a matching dressing gown belted at the waist. His hair is still damp.

His hand covers his mouth in the absent way of deep thought. A frown sits heavily on his brow.

I wonder if he sees what I do. The woman who left Valon Laska’s body on a blood-drenched lavatory floor carries her clutch tucked under her right arm. When previously photographed, Stephanie Laska carried items tucked under her left arm. The difference is not insignificant when one considers left- and right-handed dominance and the natural tendency to leave the dominant arm unencumbered.

Lily is left-handed.

Mr Black stands and passes my mobile back to me. “I’ll discuss his death with her tomorrow.”

I wait for him to say more, but he rounds his desk.

He pauses beside me, the two of us facing in opposing directions. He sets his hand on my shoulder. “She seems fragile today. I felt it this morning and debated staying home. I don’t want to get upset right now because it’ll upset her. So, let’s pick this up in the morning, okay? That’s soon enough.”

“Of course.” I haven’t noted the fragility of which he speaks. There was some melancholy directly after he left, but Tovah and Salma lifted her spirits. It was fortuitous that they had time available when Lily most needed a distraction.

Why a woman known for having dozens of friends would prefer passing the time with strangers is yet another mystery.

In any case, I’ll have to thank Lacy again for recommending the two women. In the few years she’s been with us, Lacy has proven to be an asset beyond her duties as a member of my household staff.

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