The Angel of Eden by D. J. McIntosh

didn’t seem to notice.

Seventeen

    February 18, 2005
    I t was after midnight by the time I made it back to my place to find Bennet sleeping on the sofa, one arm thrown around a plump pillow. The eiderdown had slipped away from her shoulders and the tiny T she wore had ridden up, exposing her naked breast. Even in my troubled state of mind, I found that enticing.
    She woke with a start, gaped at me, then hastily yanked her top down.
    â€œYou’re back so late. I was worried about you,” she murmured, still half asleep.
    â€œI called you a bunch of times. Don’t you listen to your messages?”
    â€œThe battery died. Have to get a new one tomorrow. Why? What happened?”
    â€œIt’s been one hell of a night. Tricia Ross was killed.”
    â€œWhat?” She sat up straight.
    â€œI went to see her this evening out on Long Island. She was beaten to death in her own kitchen.” The scene ran through my mind once more. I sat on the edge of the sofa and related how the rest of the evening had played out.
    â€œYou’re not saying they suspect you?”
    â€œSure felt like it while I was stuck in the back of that cruiser, but no, I don’t think so.” I slumped back on the sofa beside her. “I can’t believe Tricia Ross is dead. I didn’t know her but my brother did and he really respected her. Samuel said she was fearless, and braved some pretty narrow scrapes on-site in Iraq. Not this time.”
    Bennet placed a slender arm around my shoulders. “God, that’s terrible. Who could have done it, do you think?”
    â€œDid our visit to Yersan get him so fired up that he went out to threaten her?”
    â€œWell, he was disagreeable, but I doubt he’d be capable of something that violent.”
    â€œI gave his name to the police. Just in case. What happened with Strauss? Did he give you any money?”
    â€œI didn’t end up going after all. I called him before I set out. He said he didn’t want me to come up but agreed to send me the advance through an email transfer. So I’m rich now.” She laughed sarcastically, her fingers brushing my cheek. “What an awful experience for you.”
    â€œYou said it. But much worse for Tricia. This whole thing is so fucked up.”
    I calmed down a little after talking more with Bennet. She went back to sleep and I stumbled into my bedroom, undressed, rolled into bed, and drifted off. At some point my body jerked violently. Another bout of sleep paralysis. This time I had an overwhelming sense of déjà vu. It felt as if my hands and legs were bound tightly. I was in great pain but unable to move. A throwback to the timesAlessio held me under his spell or a flashback to the terror at Kutha? Somehow this seemed different. As if it were an actual memory. Once again I put up a monumental struggle to shake myself out of it. Despite a couple of shots of scotch to calm my nerves I lay awake for at least an hour before falling into a restless sleep.

    The aroma of fresh coffee and bacon crackling in the pan woke me. Hearing me stir, Loki padded into the bedroom. She still walked on her three good legs, gingerly lifting the injured one with the pink cast off the floor. She licked my shoulder and I eased myself out of bed.
    Bennet gave me a smile when I walked into the kitchen. She stood in her bare feet, wearing the same T-shirt over mint-green nylon panties fringed with lace. Quite the tasty treat. “Always did love a barefoot cook in the kitchen,” I said.
    â€œBacon and tomato sandwiches—my specialty. Help yourself to a coffee and take a seat while I wait on you hand and foot. After what you went through last night, you deserve it.”
    I sat down and sipped at the coffee, taking surreptitious glances at Bennet’s comely figure. The coffee wasn’t my blend. Something stronger with a hint of chocolate. Bennet set the plates down, pulled a chair closer to me, and sat.