“That doesn’t sound so bad.” My naïve cousin misses the point so I spell it out for her.
“If I give the go-ahead, he’ll shoot someone. If I don’t, the husband will probably kill the wife.”
“I’ll pray for you.” I picture Mia grabbing her rosary beads and making a sign of the cross.
“Seriously? That’s all you got?”
“Let go and let God?”
“Not helping.”
“Read the bible?”
“Oh, for Christ’s sake. Good night.”Thanks for nothing.
Suds stirs on the futon, coughs, and yawns. “Who were you talking to?”
“Mia-the-Magnificent.”
He chuckles. “Why? What’s the problem? Maybe I can help.”
I don’t figure my partner would want to know I got business from my old pal Frankie so I shrug. “A little bit of unexpected income.”
“Not Vinny, right?”
“No, no. I haven’t heard from him since we started quarantine.” Sure, I told a teeny, tiny lie but my husband is sick and I shouldn’t stress him out.
“How about we watch a movie on Netflix?” Suds picks up the remote but I shake my head.
“You go ahead, I want to do a little more research on the online strangler.”
“Is that what you’re calling him?”
“For lack of a better name, yeah.”
Chapter Ten
Suds
Catrina jumps on my lap, butts against my abs, then pads over to the cupboard. When I don’t follow fast enough, she comes back and claws the futon.
Shit.I remove her offending paws from the fabric and lift my heavy head. “I’m a-comin’. Just give me a moment.”
Upstairs, Sam’s steady breathing tells me she’s still asleep. I miss her sweet, soft body spooned close. In addition, my woodie is highly disappointed he can’t have a little fun before breakfast.
Outside, the pink edges of the sky signal the approaching dawn. I ponder the empty train station and deserted shops under the tracks. It reminds me of a movie about the apocalypse… but without zombies.
“Fucking pandemic.” Bracing myself, I stand, wait for the room to settle down, and open the cabinet with the cat food. I measure out a little wet and a little dry and place her bowl down on the floor.
“Here ya go.”
While she purrs and swallows, I head to the bathroom for a much needed shower. While I’m lathering up, Sam taps on the door.
“Need any help?” She steps in, completely naked, and I thank God I built the space for two.
“Maybe. I got a few parts I can’t reach.” Turning the sprayer away from her face, I wait for her arms to slip around my waist.
On tip toes, she reaches behind my head and brings me to her lips. “Feeling better?”
