Blood on Snow

Chapter 14

“You haven’t asked,” she said in the darkness.

“No,” I said.

“Why not?”

“I suppose I’m just not a very inquisitive person.”

“But you must be wondering. Father and son...”

“I assumed you’d tell me whatever you felt like telling me when you felt like it.”

The bed creaked as Corina turned towards me. “What if I never said anything?”

“Then I’d never find out.”

“I don’t get you, Olav. Why did you want to save me? Me? You’re so lovely, and I’m so despicable.”

“You’re not despicable.”

“How would you know? You don’t even want to ask about anything.”

“I know that you’re here with me now. That’s enough for the time being.”

“And later? Say you manage to get Daniel before he gets you. Say we get to Paris. Say we somehow manage to scrape enough money together to survive. You’ll still be wondering who she is, this woman who could be her own stepson’s lover. Because who could ever really trust someone like that? Such a talent for betrayal...”

“Corina,” I said, reaching for the cigarettes. “If you’re worried about what I’m wondering or not wondering, feel free to tell me. All I’m saying is that it’s up to you.”

She bit my upper arm gently. “Are you scared of what I might say, is that it? Are you scared I’ll tell you I’m not the person you’re hoping I might be?”

I fished out a cigarette, but couldn’t find a lighter. “Listen. I’m someone who has chosen to earn their daily bread killing other people. I’m inclined to give people a bit of leeway when it comes to their actions and decisions.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“What?”

“I don’t believe you. I think you’re just trying to hide it.”

“Hide what?”

I heard her gulp. “That you love me.”

I turned towards her.

The moonlight from the window sparkled in her moist eyes.

“You love me, you fool.” She hit me limply on the shoulder. And repeated “You love me, you fool. You love me, you fool,” until her eyes were streaming with tears.

I pulled her to me. Held her until my shoulder felt warm, then cold from her tears. Now I could see the lighter. It was on top of the empty red cardboard box. If I had been in any doubt, I knew now. She liked the CP Special. She liked me.