Chapter 10: What She Cost

"How much?" Miriam said.

She had recovered fast.

The mask was back, polished and flat.

"For the certificates," she said. "Name it."

"They're not for sale."

"Everything is for sale, dear."

"Then you can buy a candle," I said. "It's marked down."

The mother in 3C laughed out loud.

Miriam looked at Benedict, then at me, then at the neighbors with their doors wide open.

She walked out without another word, and her lawyer trotted after her.

The hallway exhaled.

The old man in slippers said, "Well, I'll be damned," and went back in his apartment, grinning.

Benedict closed the door of the white one-bedroom and leaned against it.

"I was parked downstairs," he said. "I'd have come sooner but I wanted to hear how you'd handle her."

"Were you impressed?"

"I was terrified."

"Of me?"

"Of how badly I wanted you."

I put the eviction notice on the counter and walked over to him.

"I have a lease," I said. "A fight with a landlord to win."

"A year in London, and a cigar box that I'm told is worth a lot."

"And I'm standing in an empty apartment with the door locked."

"Susie."

"Take off your coat."

He took off his coat.

I pushed him down on the bed with the white comforter and straddled his lap, and he stared up at me with his lips parted.

"This time," I said, "I lead."

"Yes," he said hoarsely.

I undid his tie and his shirt, slowly, every button, and spread the cloth open across his chest.

I put my mouth to his collarbone and felt him shudder.

"Susie."

"Quiet."

I kissed down his chest and over the hard plane of his stomach.

I was on my knees on the floor between his legs by the time he understood what I intended.

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