Merry weighed her, then nodded. She understood.
“Come, I know somewhere.”
“No ... I need to go. I need to score some Crissy. Had to see you first.”
Merry’s face changed, her eyes filling with empathy, pity. Nina hated it, hated who she was. Hated how people saw her.
“Don’t fucking judge me, okay, Merry, just because you got out. We go back, you and me.”
“I’m not. I’m not judging you at all. What’s the matter? Why’d you come?”
“It’s Faith.”
“What do you mean, Faith? What are you talking about?”
“She’s dead. Drowned. It was her they found in the Gorge. Some cops was around Harbor House talking to Pastor Markus, asking about Faith’s family, who to tell that she was dead.” Her gaze snapped down the street. She was nervous that maybe the cop had followed her or something. “She waskilled, Merry, and rolled up in plastic, dumped in the sea.”
Blood drained from Merry’s face. “You sure?”
“Cop showed me a photo of her body in the morgue—her tattoo. What if he’s back? What if it washim? I read what was done to that Cemetery Girl—it’s him. Gotta be him.”
Merry looked waxen. She grabbed Nina by the shoulders, eyes shining. “Did that cop say anything about a crucifix on Faith?”
She shook her head. “But it could be him.”
“Why do you say that?”
“’Cause I asked that cop if the same was done to her as to the Cemetery Girl, and he looked at me weird, and he didn’t deny it.”
“Listen to me. When did you last actually see Faith?”
Nina scratched at the scabs on her face. “Like a while ago. Maybe five to eight months. She was with that pimp of hers from way back, Damián, and some other blond guy—rich prick who was driving a small, black BMW. Young, like in his twenties.”
“You sure it was a Bimmer?”
“Christ, I know cars. I know where my best scores come from.”
CHAPTER 26
“Like I said, we had a month-to-month lease, and the tenant gave notice at the end of November—eleven days ago. It was a Thursday. Her movers arrived the next day with cash from her, so she’s paid up for December.”
Kjel walked slowly across the bare hardwood floors to the window. Dust spots and darker areas marked the wood where rugs and furniture had rested. The view looked out over new construction toward the water. They’d located the property manager and had showed him Hocking’s mug shot. He’d recognized her and said she’d lived here almost two years. Always paid cash. Now her place was cleaned out.
“She give the notice herself?” Leo said as Kjel continued to stare out at the view, his brain running through the possibilities.
“She phoned it in.”
“You certain it was her?”
“Female voice. I had no reason to doubt it.”
“What moving company did she use?” Leo said.
“I don’t know. There was a truck here, white, but no company logo or anything on the sides.”
“And the guy who gave you the money for her last month’s rent—he give you a name?”
“No.”
