“Fuck off.”
He drummed his fingers on the armrest, then added.“If you ever decide to quit your job and move closer to your girl, give me a ring.We’re hiring.”
“For fuck’s sake, she’s a witness.Even if I wanted there to be something between us, it’s not allowed.”
It wasn’t just about some morality bullshit.Being too close to the case and being viewed as compromised might hurt us in court.No way would I let those fuckers walk over some technicality about my relationship with Nadya.
“The case won’t stay open forever,” he reminded me.
Yeah, I might’ve thought about that, too.
“We barely know each other.You seriously expect me to move states?”Although I was located only a couple of hours’ drive and could visit on the weekends without a problem.
“You know, Vera and I got engaged the day we met,” he said.
I opened my mouth then closed it.What the hell?
The image of Vera’s scowling face popped.I tried to morph it into a picture of love at first sight, and it just wouldn’t.There was no way.
“You know what, I don’t even know you anymore,” I said instead of trying to puzzle their relationship out.
Chapter 24
Nadya
THE GALLERY WAS EMPTYon Mondays, except for the hum of the climate system and the echoes of my own questionable choices.I came in on my day off to frame the painting, the one with the whiskey bottle decanting itself into Chinese takeout cartons and pooling into blood.Now it sat propped against the wall in Lara’s office.Hopefully, she’d like it enough to display it.
I pressed my palm flat to the glass pane, watching my reflection superimposed over the painting.I’d spent the train ride convincing myself I didn’t need a drink to function, only to find that I wanted something strong enough to cut through the memories.
Damn, it wasn’t even one in the afternoon.Too early to drink, unless I fully committed to being a lost cause.I wasn’t there yet.Almost, but not quite.
I slid the office chair back and pawed through my backpack for the business card Nick had given me.Just coping mechanisms.That was all I wanted.Couldn’t be that bad if I only asked for that instead of baring my soul to a stranger, right?
Yeah.I would just ask for that.No reason to make a big deal out of it.
I hit call.
