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Eventually Theo’s tears seemed expended. Gus handed her a takeout carton of moo shu pork and a fork. Theo had never mastered chopsticks. She was surprised by how good the food smelled—it didn’t seem right to be thinking of something like food right then.
Gus watched her carefully, “I’m sorry about your bloke, Theo.”
“He wasn’t my bloke, Gus—not really.”
“I’m sorry anyway.”
She avoided the risk of tears anew by filling her mouth with a forkful of food and chewing diligently.
“Do you want to tell me exactly what happened?”
“You were there when I told the police.”
“I want you to tell me. You might remember something you didn’t think of then…something you left out…”
“Why would I leave anything out?”
“Just trust me. What were you doing there in the first place?”
“Dan wasn’t answering his phone… I wanted to invite him to dinner so you could meet him.”
Gus smiled slightly and nodded encouragingly. “How did you know where he lived?”
“We dropped by there a couple of days ago to pick up his camera. Dan invited me in to see the original sketches of his covers.
Gus flinched. “Slightly less clichéd than etchings, I suppose.”
Theo shook her head. “It wasn’t like that.”
“And while you were there, did he…? Did anything…?”
Theo swallowed. “Yes.”
“Oh, sweetheart…” Gus hugged her. “I’m so sorry.”
Theo fought resurging tears. “It was the first time…”
He held her tighter. “You’re going to have to tell the police, Theo. They’ll find out anyway.”
She nodded. “I know. I just wasn’t ready to think about it tonight.”
Gus kissed the top of her head. “So, you walked up to this bloke’s door and…”
“There was a man. He came out of the house just before I arrived…” Theo paled. “Oh, my God…it was him. He killed Dan…”
“Calm down, Theo.” Gus grabbed her hand and held it till the agitation passed. “Who was this man?”
“I don’t know… He walked out just as I got there. I forgot…how could I have forgotten?”
Gus’s hand pressed tighter on hers. “You’re probably still in shock. Did he see you?”
Theo shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
Gus relaxed just slightly. “Would you recognize him?”
“I don’t know. I only caught a glimpse his face. He got straight into his car and drove away.”
“What kind of car?”
