Excluded and Uninvited novel · Chapter 15 of 24

Chapter 15: Past the Fourth Day

We drove back to the lake in Katja's truck with the recording between us on the seat.

She played the part about the six hundred dollars twice.

The second time she laughed, one short breath, and set the phone on the dash.

"He said the number himself," she said.

"He said it in front of three people and a fryer."

"I'd like to buy the fryer a drink."

It was after midnight when she pulled into the drive.

The cabin was dark except for the stove light she always left on.

Inside, she hung her coat and put the kettle on.

Then she took it off again and stood in the middle of the kitchen with her hands on her hips.

"What?" I said.

"I'm deciding."

"What are you deciding?"

"Whether I'm going to be sensible."

I stood by the door with my jacket still on.

My ribs hurt, and my eye hurt, and I did not care about either.

"Have you decided?" I said.

"I've had a week to think about it." She crossed the floor. "Take that off."

I took off the jacket.

She put her hands flat on my chest, carefully, away from the tape, and looked up.

"One rule," she said. "You don't leave on the fourth day."

"It's day six."

"Then you're past the danger."

"Katja."

"I'm not asking you to promise," she said. "I'm telling you what I'm going to be thinking."

I put my hand against the side of her face.

She turned into it, and shut her eyes.

I kissed her.

It was slow for a moment.

Then she pulled my shirt out of my waistband and put her cold hands on my bare back.

I made a sound I had no say in.

"There," she said against my mouth. "Now I know."

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