“I guess either the cop wasn’t a baseball fan and didn’t recognize you or wore a good poker face. I would have felt terrible if the whole thing created negative press for you.”
“No. Konrad was the only eyewitness—and did you notice he seemed to know the cop who asked the questions? They nodded to each other, and Konrad visibly relaxed as soon as he saw him.”
“Yeah, I saw that. I thought they might even be related. They have the same large build and facial features,” Merry said.
“Nothing was said, specifically, but I got the impression the news wouldn’t make it to any reporters.”
“That’s a relief. I wonder what the others’ reaction to Sly meant. Why did they groan when they found out he had been the one left to deal with the criminal?”
Jason shrugged. “I didn’t understand that either.”
She assumed the other residents knew something they weren’t divulging. Slydidseem ominous in a dark, dangerous, and freakishly strong way. Adrenaline may have played a part, but she’d never seen a full-grown man lifted like he weighed no more than a rag doll.
Jason wandered around her small apartment. “Your place looks really cute.”
Merry appraised her work and decided he was right. Her kitchen table wore a new blue and green MacKenzie plaid tablecloth, a nice contrast to the white walls and appliances. Red pillar candles stood at differing heights in the living room fireplace, and a couple of favorite art books graced her coffee table that used to be an old trunk.
“But why don’t I have you up to my place? I can provide the salad, wine, music, and ambiance.”
“And I’ll bet it’s a little bigger.”
“Well, yeah. It takes up the whole top floor.”
“Okay, then. I’ll cook and you can set the table.”
Now she had to shop for food.Why, oh why did I offer to cook for Jason? I barely know where the stove is.
He grinned. “Sounds like a plan.”
Yeah, she needed a plan. She could put together her famous lasagna and bake some bread sticks. She’d have to cheat and buy the frozen dough this time. Oh, and dessert. Not one, but three. She owed her rescuers some kind of thank you, and since home cooking was all she could afford, that would have to do. Hmm… Apples were in season.
“Well, I’d better go grocery shopping!”
“Until tonight,” he said. Smiling, he let himself out and closed the door.
Part of her wanted to stay cocooned in her own safe space, but she couldn’t stay locked up forever. She had to go out beforedark. The grocery store was only a few blocks away, and rather than face the alley again she tugged on her jacket, found her strong mesh grocery bags, and set out for a brisk walk to the store.
As she locked her apartment door behind her, Nathan appeared to be heading out, too. Wearing black with no reflectors, he wheeled a bicycle. Did everyone in this town wear nothing but black?
“How’s the neck?” he asked.
“Oh, fine. It just needed a small bandage, nothing serious.”
“Well, you were lucky. I hope it doesn’t get infected. Even little scrapes can turn really nasty. They can even cause death.”
“Yes, I’m a nurse and know about infections. I bathed it in hydrogen peroxide.”
“A nurse, eh? Where at?”
“Boston General Hospital,” she said.
His eyebrows rose. “That’s where I work too. What floor are you on?”
“Five West. Evening shift.” She inwardly squirmed at the golden sky that signaled approaching dusk.
“Ah, you’re in pediatric orthopedics. I don’t get a lot of business from you.”
“Oh? Where do you work,” she asked.
