Chapter 35 - The Husband I Buried

Now

Jessica yawned and stood. ‘It’s late,’ she said. ‘I need to get home.’

As much as I wanted to disagree and keep going, my eyelids were getting heavier by the minute.

She moved closer and hugged me. ‘I’m sorry, Kenzie. I’m working a half day tomorrow.’

‘On Saturday?’

Jess scoffed. ‘Like you’re one to talk.’

She looked over her shoulder, lowering her voice, making sure Keith couldn’t hear us. ‘But I’m not comfortable leaving you here with him.’

I looked over to where Keith was scratching Tess’s ear and frowned.

‘He’s not that bad.’

She snorted softly. ‘He’s creepy. He smells like old beer and cigarettes. You’re obviously not thinking clearly.’ Her tone was teasing, but her eyes weren’t. ‘Just . . . call me if you need to. And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.’

That didn’t leave many options, but I smiled anyway. ‘Are you sure you don’t want to crash here? You know I make a mean breakfast bagel.’

Jessica yawned. ‘No, I’ve got an early start. Promise you’ll call?’

‘Promise.’

She hugged me tight, leaving behind the scent of her perfume and the weight of her warning. When I turned back, Keith was sitting cross-legged on the floor, one hand out for Tess. She was gnawing on his finger a little too hard, tail wagging.

‘She’s got spirit,’ he said with a grin. ‘She needs a bone to chew on.’

‘I’ll get her one tomorrow,’ I said, hoping he’d take the hint. It was late. I was tired. We knew what our next steps were, but we had to be awake enough to execute them.

He didn’t move, apparently immune to social cues. Instead, he leaned back against the couch, legs stretched out, eyes tracking me with lazy amusement. ‘What did you think of your friend’s assessment?’

‘Good,’ I said too quickly.

He laughed under his breath. ‘You sure you’re not just saying that because she’s your friend?’

‘You don’t agree?’

‘I don’t disagree.’ His grin widened, playful but edged. ‘Now that she’s gone, we can get down to real business.’

‘It’s past midnight,’ I said.

He tilted his head, eyes glinting. ‘You tired, counselor?’

My skin prickled.

‘I am tired,’ I said. ‘And I don’t need a lecture.’

Keith smiled, unbothered. ‘Good. I hate lectures.’

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a cigarette, then remembered himself and tucked it back away. Tess watched the movement with interest.

‘I’m not saying we do anything tonight,’ he said. ‘I’m saying there’s something you should know before tomorrow.’

I folded my arms. ‘About what?’

‘Barkley.’

‘What about it?’ I asked.

He didn’t answer straight away. He scratched Tess behind the ears, slow, methodical, like he was buying time.

‘There’s a reason people get off there,’ he said finally. ‘And it’s not because it’s convenient.’

‘That’s vague,’ I said.

‘Intentionally.’ He glanced up at me. ‘You ever notice how some places don’t advertise what they’re for, but people are drawn to them anyway? Barkley is like that.’

‘What are you trying to say?’

‘I’m saying, I don’t think it’ll be immediately obvious. We might have to look beyond the tourist shit. You know?’

I think I did. Whatever it was that brought Luis there might not be clear at first.

‘Listen, if we get there and we find nothing, fine. But that doesn’t mean we should give up. That’s all I’m saying.’

‘What do you think is happening?’

Keith shrugged uncomfortably, like maybe he had a theory he didn’t think I’d like. I watched him expectantly. He wasn’t getting out of it that easily.

‘OK, fine,’ he said. ‘In the military, we’d usually debrief after a mission. You know, talk about it and whatever. But sometimes, real debriefing means getting away from it all and just taking a break.’

‘You think he needed a break from me?’ I asked, disbelief making my voice rise.

‘I’m just saying,’ he said, holding up his hands in mock innocence. ‘Not from you, but from his life. Or something in it.’

‘Then he could’ve just gone on a holiday,’ I protested. ‘Not faked his own death.’

‘Maybe he’s running from something,’ said Keith, finally realizing it was time to leave. He stood, stopping at the door. ‘We’ll figure it out.’

The door clicked shut behind him before I could respond, leaving me thinking it might be the last I saw of him.