Page 24 of The Strength Of A Woman

I don’t care.

I take another sip of coffee while Cosimo offers me his comforting silence.

Somewhere in the house, an old wall clock ticks along, old times gleaming through its soft music.

And back in New York?

For sure, it didn’t happen in New York.

I would’ve known, noticed, been aware of it.

There were people everywhere. People who watched her.Some of them, perhaps too much.

I never liked that man. Julian York.

Who keeps someone like him around her?

I think he was after her.

Why else would she have come to me that evening in New York after I’d just moved into their house?

But even him.

Would he do something like that to her? Would she allow him to do that to her?

Something doesn’t add up.

She seemed scared of him.

I thought she was playing with me that night. One of her childish tricks to get my attention. But I’m not so sure now. Anyway, he’s not here, or is he?

I turn to Cosimo.

“Have you seen Julian York by any chance?”

He tilts his chin slowly.

“Really?”

“He arrived just after we left last night.”

“You know that for a fact?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Why so late?”

“Have no idea.”

“I don’t like that motherfucker. He didn’t meet Leilani, did he?”

He shakes his head.

“I don’t think she knows he’s here.”

“He didn’t sleep at the house?” I ask, hopeful.

“I think he did, but she didn’t meet him.”