Page 36 of Winter
“No, no. I’m sorry; I shouldn’t have called you. You know me.”
“Exactly. Let me come home and help you. There’s no reason, if you really love her, that this time can’t be different.”
Tommaso went backto the bedroom after ending the call and saw that Inca was now lying on her back, the sheet tangled around her hips. He watched the gentle rise and fall of her breasts, the soft curve of her belly as she slept. He lay down beside her and stroked her soft skin, tracing a line between her breasts down to her navel.
She murmured in her sleep and turned towards him, half opening her eyes. “I love you, Tommaso,” she whispered before her eyes closed again and Tommaso was glad she was asleep again quickly, so that she would not see his tears.
The news brokethe next morning and the entire town was horrified. Jasmine Khan had been one of their own, a well-loved girl found murdered in her own apartment.
Inca felt sick. Jasmine had helped out at the Sakura more than once. Inca had been glad to help her out as she studied for her college degree. Jasmine had only been seventeen, sweet, intelligent … and now this.
Olly looked shattered when he came into the Sakura that morning. The whole town was buzzing with police.
Inca hugged her friend. “Oh, Olly.”
He relaxed into her embrace. “It’s bad, Inks. Really bad.”
Nancy’s face was creased with worry as she looked between the two. “Come sit down, Olly, before you fall down.”
Inca didn’t want to ask the question, but Olly must have seen it in her eyes. “Yeah, sweetheart. Your name was carved into this victim too.”
Inca’s hands clenched into fists and her temper broke through. “Then why doesn’t he come after me? Why kill an innocent woman? All those girls? Just kill me!’
Olly took her shoulders and his face looked fierce. “I never want to hear you say that again, Inca Sardee. You are not to blame for this. Don’t ever, ever say that to me again.”
He tried to smile to soften his words. Tyler came in then, accompanied by Tommaso, who was talkingathim rather than to him. Tommaso’s face was serious, and he appeared to be pressing his point with some fervor. Tyler looked rather taken aback.
“Hey.” Inca smiled at them both, hoping to break the tension. Tyler smiled back rather wanly. Tommaso kissed her cheek.
“Bella,”he said warmly and sat down, nodding to Olly, patting his shoulder. “Chief. Guess you’ve had a rough morning.”
Olly nodded. “You have no idea.”
Inca offered Tommaso some coffee.
“No, thanks. Look—”Tommaso began, but Tyler shook his head.
“Tommaso, this can wait.”
Tommaso frowned. “Forgive me, Tyler, but I don’t think it can. Nancy?” he called out, and Nancy poked her head out of the kitchen. “Nancy, would you join us, please?”
Tyler sighed and sat down. Nancy looked confused but joined them, pulling out the chair next to her husband. He took her hand and squeezed it.
“Thank you.”
Tommaso was being oddly formal, Inca thought. She had no idea what was going on and waited for Tommaso to begin.
“Tyler and I are concerned.” He held up his hand as Tyler started to object. “No, Tyler. I know you think I’m being overly cautious. But the fact is, a young Indian woman was killed here last night. We all know what’s been going on in the city and I don’t think it’s hysterical to suggest that, for the meantime, we take precautions. Inca, please, don’t go anywhere alone, especially at night. Do you understand?”
Nancy looked annoyed at his tone. “Yeah, Olly beat you to the punch, albeit less patronizingly.”
Inca coughed, interrupting her. “I think what Nancy means is, thank you for your concern.” She tapped her mom’s arm as she was about to protest. “I’ll take care, I promise. I do think you can be over-cautious, but, hey, it’s not like we don’t have people around us all the time.”
Tommaso shook his head. “Until you are in that apartment isolated from everyone.”
Inca glanced at Tyler, but he nodded. “He’s right. I’d feel better if—”
“You’ll move into the mansion,” Tommaso announced suddenly. “It’s the best solution.”
