[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.I stood at the head of the steep stairs and peered down into the shadowy blackness.“Tobias, is that you?” I called, my voice echoing hollowly in the stairwell.“Claire? Is anybody there?”I could sense another person in the house.It was as if the walls surrounding us held their collective breath, waiting for me to make a move.I took a tentative step forward then stopped.If someone was here to do me harm, I would face them square on.I would not go gently.I stepped more determinedly back onto the landing and felt along the wall until my hand touched the light switch.The stairwell leapt into brightness.Nobody was standing on the stairs or in the hallway.I raced back into the bedroom that my father had made into a workout room and searched for a weapon by the light from the hall.My hand closed on a five pound weight, which should give me a chance.My movements were reflected back at me in the semi-gloom by the mirror lining the wall.Seconds later, I was back at the head of the stairwell.A scramble of footsteps and the backdoor banging sent me racing down the stairs two at a time.I was too late to catch them.I flicked on the outside lights, but whoever had been in the house had disappeared into the night.Mushy footsteps were visible on the deck, but half-filled with water.They offered no clue that I could see.I leaned against the doorjamb and considered my options.I could give chase, or I could lock up the house and tell Tobias what had happened.I preferred the second option.I’d used up all the bravery I had in my frantic rush to meet the intruder.I shut the door hard and locked it before going in search of my jacket and boots.I drove faster than I should have down the country road to my brother’s house.It was a relief to see Claire’s van in the driveway.Lights were on in the kitchen and living room as well as the back porch.I parked behind Claire, took my glove off as I walked, and slid my hand along the hood of her van.Heat radiated from its engine.Claire must have just gotten home not long ahead of me.I found her reading a magazine at the kitchen table, a cup of coffee in front of her and a fresh cigarette burning in the ashtray at her elbow.Her head was tilted and resting on a hand cupped under her chin.She looked up as I entered.Sometimes I forgot how beautiful she was.When the tension left her body and her features were relaxed, she was striking.Black hair tucked behind her ears emphasized high cheekbones and wide doe-shaped eyes, steel grey in the bright kitchen light.“There you are, Maja.I was about to send out the troops.”“I was at Dad’s most of the day.”“Ahh.Well, I had a pleasant surprise today.I came home and found Jonas sleeping on the couch.”“He’s home?”“He is.He was discharged in the morning but didn’t tell me.Says it felt good to walk outside again, and he didn’t want to bother me at work.”I dropped into the chair across from her.“That’s good news anyhow.Where’s Jonas now?”“Sleeping upstairs.I nipped out to get some cigs, and he was heading up to bed.Said he was still exhausted but feeling more like himself.Gunnar is spending the night at his friend’s.”I watched her eyes.“Have you heard that Becky Wilders is missing?”Claire’s gaze didn’t waver.“No, I didn’t know.Has she skipped town?”“What makes you think that?”Claire picked up her cigarette and inhaled deeply.She blew the smoke out in a stream.“It didn’t look to me like she and Kevin were getting along all that well.He’s at the garage all the time, and she’s stuck at home with his brats.”“It doesn’t sound like you’re very fond of Becky.or her kids.”“Why would I be?” Claire’s jaw jutted out stubbornly.“It was awfully uncomfortable with her around when Jonas and I were first married, and it’s never been great between us.She told people she was waiting for Jonas to see the light and go back to her.I hate it when women can’t let go, especially when they’re not wanted.Jonas needed her clinging onto him like a hole in the head.”The cold animosity in Claire’s voice was reflected in the hardness of her eyes, and I couldn’t match her stare for long.“Did you know Becky was seeing Dad this past year?” I asked.Claire snorted.“The whole town knew.I’m surprised Kevin didn’t do something about it.” Her eyes turned cunning.“Or maybe he has.”A noise in the hallway made us both turn our heads toward the door.Jonas was standing in the entranceway with his hands at his side, watching us.He wore jeans and a cable knit sweater, and he hadn’t shaved in several days, but his eyes were clear and his hands were still.I stood to hug him, my discussion with Claire momentarily forgotten.Jonas hugged me back, but just barely.“I see my wife’s been keeping you amused.She’s good at keeping people entertained.” Jonas’s voice was bitter.A look passed between them so angry that I felt a rush of heat to my cheeks.Suddenly, more than anything, I wanted to walk out into the night and never come back.I’d leave Jonas to his fate and Claire to her misery.Jonas sensed my change in mood.He’d always been sensitive to me, even when his despair was at its worst.His eyes softened.“Want to walk with me to Hadrian’s?” he breathed into my ear.I hesitated, then nodded.“If you’re up to it.”“I am.” He looked back at Claire.“Maja and I are going out.Don’t wait up.”Claire didn’t bother to respond.She’d already lowered her head to read the magazine, her hand reaching for her cigarette, her beauty momentarily extinguished by the ugly scowl marring her features.In the end, we drove to Hadrian’s in my car.The melting snow had created huge puddles that made walking unpleasant, especially in the dark.Jonas looked worn out from his stay in the hospital and agreed without arguing at my offer to drive.We chose a table in the corner near the fireplace.Somebody I didn’t know was celebrating a fortieth birthday on the other side of the room with a boisterous crowd of friends.The noise was a welcome kind of energy.It had been a while since I’d heard laughter and people having a good time.It took my mind off the fear I’d experienced in my father’s house.This was an ordinary night with ordinary people who weren’t worried about a killer breaking into their home.Hadrian brought us a couple of beers but didn’t linger.He was alone and the place was hopping.I angled my chair so that I could study my brother.His hair had the brittle look of someone who’s been ill, and his skin was just this side of waxen, but the anxiety was gone from his eyes.By the looseness of his shirt, he’d dropped several pounds, weight he could ill-afford to lose.He met my stare.“Just a mini-meltdown, but sorry you had to see it.” His crooked grin was tired.“Don’t concern yourself.I’m glad you’re feeling better.” I put my hand on his wrist for a moment before pulling it back to lift my beer.“I’ll be sleeping more than usual, but the hole is getting some sunlight
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]