Page 44 of Whispers at Dusk
“Something like that. So. What are you doing in Lillehammer?” she asked him. “Where is home now?”
“Well, you see, that’s one answer in two. I’m trying to decide where to live. I love the world, and it’s not easy making choices!”
“Right!”
He looked down the street. She followed his gaze. “Places can be so different!” he told her. “Look, look, over there. You see a row of tiny cars. Now, in the United States, you’d see a row of SUVs and vans. Big cars. Big country! And in the US, something is old if it’s from the 1800s! Here, and throughout Europe, you’ll find that history stretches back hundreds and hundreds of years, or over a thousand like Viking history!”
He kept his eyes on the tiny cars, urging her to do so as well, one hand on her shoulder. She looked in the direction he had indicated, smiling.
He was good. Very good. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see he was manipulating a tiny capsule, emptying the contents into her beer with an amazing sleight of hand. She wasn’t at all surprised. She had been expecting him to drug her.
“Ah, well, Americans can get a bad name, huh? I try, of course, to undo all the negative aspects some people put forward. However, you’re saying you’re a child of the world. Well, then you know that everywhere, people are people. Some are kind and caring for others. Some are not.”
“Oh, how true!” he agreed.
She stood up suddenly, frowning.
He looked up and then followed suit, asking her, “What is wrong?”
“Nothing, nothing, I just thought I saw a girlfriend over there. But it’s not her.” She pointed across the crowded street, and after she had done so, she played his game again, subtly, swiftly, switching their stout glasses.
Tom was none the wiser.
“Ah, too bad, I’d have loved to have met any friend of yours!” he assured her.
She sat and he joined her. “So,” he said softly, “tell me. Did you have a lover’s tiff? Or can I hope I might see you again.”
He had leaned close to her. She leaned closer to him.
“I just met him a couple of days ago,” she said. That much was true. “And...well, he wasn’t the man he appeared to be at first. So, yes, I’d love to see you again. I think, though, I’m a little tired tonight.” She picked up her drink and took a long swallow. “I mean, let’s finish our drinks—but then, I’d love you to walk me back to my place. Then, well, what did you have in mind for our next encounter?”
He reached out, touching her hair. She didn’t allow herself to flinch.
“Hmm. Let me consider the best place ever! Maybe the woods.”
“The woods!” she said excitedly.
“Yeah, you’ll love it! Beautiful hiking. We’ll start bright and early!”
She watched him gulp down his beer, his eyes on hers with excitement. “Oh, yes, you’ll just love all I have planned for you!”
She managed a very sweet smile and sipped her beer and then drained it. He did the same. “Come on. I’ll walk you home. I’ll know where to pick you up tomorrow.”
“Wonderful!”
He stood, reaching out to her. She stood and took his hand. As they walked to the street, she saw the blonde companion he’d been with before. She had been waiting in a small sedan just down the street. She knew he was going to lead her to the car.
He was expecting her to pass out. And then...
Mason was there. He had probably seen the blonde waiting in the car by then, too.
She hoped he had, at least. But she had her little—but powerful—gun. Something he wouldn’t expect. And he’d be passed out, she assumed. That left the blonde.
“Oh, look! There’s Mandy. She’s a friend of mine. Come on, she’ll give us a lift.”
“But it’s just a few blocks...” Della said, but then she pretended to stumble.
He caught her.
