“That blows. I don’t read the newspaper. Too depressing.”
She stared at him for a moment. “But you work in a morgue.”
He laughed. “Death isn’t depressing. Most of the folks we get were old or sick and death was a release from a painful prison.”
“I guess… So, what do you think Jason’s going to do when he catches up to… whomever?”
Nathan shrugged. “You know him better than I do.”
“What would you do?”
“Oh, I’d peck out her eyeballs. Then I’d probably take her camera and drop it in the river. Or the ocean. Yeah, the ocean would probably be… Are you all right?”
Merry hadn’t realized it, but her face had probably lost its color and the room was beginning to swirl. Nathan reached her before she passed out and lowered her gently to the floor.
“Breathe slowly. You’re hyperventilating.”
Merry blinked and exhaled, then purposely slowed her breathing. Her vision cleared. “I’m okay. Thanks.”
“Think nothing of it.” He stood and watched her while she shakily struggled to her feet.
“So, do you think Jason would do that? Hurt someone, I mean?”
He shrugged. “What do you care? I thought she tried to hurt you.”
“Not physically. No eye pecking. Nobody deserves that. Besides, I feel kind of sorry for her.”
Nathan made a noise that sounded like “Tshah.The paparazzi? They deserve whatever they get.”
“She’s a human being orwasonce. I think she lost a big piece of her humanity. The part that cares about other people’s feelings.”
“And some people have more than their share of humanity and care too much. You, for instance.”
“Me? I don’t care too much. I care just right.”
Loud cursing outside signaled someone’s approach. Merry opened the front door and Jason hurried inside, buck naked, dragging Lila with him.
“Geez! Look at you.”
Nathan sighed. Sounding bored, he asked, “Where’d you leave my clothes?”
“Marlboro Street. About two blocks down. I’ll go back and get them later.”
“No need. I feel like taking a walk. I’ll just go get my keys.” Nathan disappeared into his apartment, but left the door open ajar.
Lila grinned. “Oh, so you share clothes as well as a bed?” Then she turned her evil smile toward Merry. “I’ll bet you didn’t know your boyfriend had a boyfriend.”
“He doesn’t.” she said, and crossed her arms.
“Oh yeah?” Lila laughed. “When I get through with him, you’re the only one who’ll believe that.”
Nathan reemerged shrugging into his black jacket. “Look lady, I don’t know what your damage is, but this guy doesn’t deserve whatever crap you’re dishing out.”
“Defending your lover, are you?”
“Blow it out your blowhole, lady,” he said calmly and pushed past her to leave.
“Hey, see if you can find her camera while you’re out there,” Jason called after him. “She threw it in some bushes.”
