Rain from the drizzle had gathered, forming a reflecting pool that encircled the cathedral. The asphalt glistened as Sterling crossed it like a goddess walking on water. She sat beside Verena, placing two coffees between them. Verena didn’t acknowledge her.
Sterling lifted the lids, then tipped liquid from her flask into each. Before she returned it to her garter holster, Verena jutted out her hand.
“Not so fast,” she said, beckoning for the booze. She took a swig, then sighed, balancing the flask on her bouncing knee.
“I’m not going to be one of those people who remind you to eat,” said Sterling.
“I’m not going to be one of those people who remind you Hedy should still be alive,” said Verena.
“You think I don’t blame myself?”
“I thought about doing the same.”
“Blaming me?” said Sterling.
“Yeah. I’ve been here all night deciding who to point the finger at. I didn’t pick you.”
“Thanks, I guess?” said Sterling.
“Doesn’t mean I forgive you. I need you to be here for me more than I need to hate you,” she said, sliding her hand across the bench. Sterling held it.
“I should have told you earlier. Madame swore me to secrecy,” said Sterling.
“So it’s true, you spoke to her? Jesus, the entire world’s upside down.”
“It won’t happen again. Speaking to Madame, I mean. The Earth turns how it pleases, and Vienna follows suit. Whether that’s clockwise or upside down, I don’t have a say.”
For a long time, her world revolved around Hedy. Now more than ever.
“You staying for the funeral?” said Verena, pursing her lips at Sterling’s low-cut black dress and veiled pillbox hat.
“I dressed for the occasion, even if I’m not sure about going. Weiss can’t see me. But I might sneak in.”
“Why’d you bring two coffees?”
“I knew you’d be here. I’m your nine a.m. date.”
“Are you paying?”
Sterling handed Verena an envelope of cash. “Mr. K’s paying. We need to know what you saw that night at the Loos Bar. Hedy wasthere with a guy named David Goldfinch. He wasn’t a client, and now they’re both dead.”
Verena took another swig. Her voice trembled as she said, “Never heard of him. I saw them together, and I accepted a drink when he bought a round for the bar. I assumed he was a client. I hadn’t heard much from Hedy these last few months. Our friendship felt strained for a while. She was mad at something, or someone. I spent a lot of time asking myself if it was me.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t,” said Sterling.
“I got her involved in something I shouldn’t have. She was angry, but it was fair. See, I’ve got this… friend. He says anger’s a secondary emotion. You gotta dig for the root cause, find the primary emotion. I think Hedy was angry because she was scared.”
“Of who?” said Sterling.
“I shouldn’t say.”
“Nightingale?”
“Fuck. They got to you too?”
“No. I only heard the name a few days ago. I don’t know who ‘they’ are or why everyone’s skittish. Are they a club? Is this how you get entry?” Sterling showed her the coin. Verena quickly covered it up and told her to put it away.
“Far as I know, they aren’t a club, more like an organization.”
