Killer Takes All

CHAPTER 56

Saturday, March 19, 2005

8:45 p.m.

Spencer did one better than calling Stacy. He went to see her.

He rang the bell.

Stacy answered the door after a couple of rings. He couldn’t be certain, but he suspected she had been crying.

“Haven’t you heard? Game’s over. Leo’s dead.”

He held up a takeout sack. “I brought Subway. Have you eaten?”

“I’m not hungry.”

“How about some company?”

“Why not?” She turned and headed into the double. He followed her, shutting the door behind them.

They ended up in the kitchen. He saw a bottle of beer on the table, her Glock beside it.

She crossed to the fridge, got another beer and handed it to him.

“Thanks.” He twisted off the cap and took a long swallow, watching as she returned to her table and took another drink.

“None of this is your fault,” he said softly.

“No? You’re sure?” Her voice vibrated with a combination of grief and fury. “Leo’s dead. Kay’s most probably dead. They hired me to keep them safe. And if so, Alice-” her voice broke “-is an orphan now. I did a great job, didn’t I?”

“You did the best job you could.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” She balled her hands into fists. “He was right under my nose. This whole time, he-”

Spencer crossed to her, drew her to her feet and cupped her face in his hands. “He was under all our noses the whole time. You’re the only one who had a clue what was really going on.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “A lot of bloody good it did anybody.”

She was trying so hard to be tough. To focus on her anger. To pretend she didn’t hurt. Didn’t feel helpless.

He trailed his thumbs across her cheeks. “I’m sorry.”

“Stop it. Stop looking at me that way.”

“Sorry, Killian. No can do.”

He bent and kissed her. Her lips trembled beneath his. He tasted the saltiness of her tears.

She flattened her hands against his chest. “Stop it,” she said again. “Stop making me feel weak.”

“Because you have to be strong.”

She tilted up her chin. “Yes.”

“So you can stand up to the bad guys. Kick their asses, maybe even save the world.”

She stepped away from him. “I think you should go.”

“So it can be just you and Mr. Glock?”

“Yes.”

“Your choice, Stacy. If you change your mind, you have my number.”

He drained his beer, collected the take-out and left her. He crossed to the NOPD cruiser parked in front of the duplex. He bent and greeted the officers inside. “Keep a close eye on the place. I’m going to catch a few hours’ shut-eye, then I’ll be back.”