Chapter 36
36
“I ’m so sorry, Olivia! ” Michael apologized for what was probably the tenth time. “I just don’t understand why he did it.”
“ Is there a rationalization for crazy?” I replied dryly.
My bosses had already been informed that my days of decoying were over. I’d only gone to Dignitary because Michael had a check for me, a kind of “workman’s compensation” for what had happened at the warehouse. I’d told him it wasn’t necessary, but he’d insisted.
As the one who’d vouched for James, Michael felt partially responsible for the incident, and his regret was playing on loop. We’d finally get around to changing the subject, then he’d bring us back to it with a new round of apologies. Now it seemed he was trying keep the conversation rolling by applying a different angle, James’s motivation behind killing women. I was getting sick of talking about it.
Michael had sent a car to pick me up, otherwise I would have made a polite excuse to leave long ago. I wasn’t feeling too social as of late. Guess nearly being choked to death will do that to a girl. I hadn’t told Michael about the nightmares I’d had, or how I’d awakened screaming every night since the attack with my hands clamped over my neck.
I looked at the check as a distraction, my eyes bugging when I saw the amount. Looked as if my old boss wanted to compensate me for all of James’s murders and not just the one he’d attempted on me. If you think I told Michael it was too much, you are mistaken. My life, after all, had almost ended.
Marlena hadn’t personally offered any reparation, of course, so at least I didn’t have her relentless apologizing to deal with. Robert and Liz had been fretting over me constantly, so the last thing I wanted or needed was more mollycoddling. Not that Marlena had gone out of her way to make things right with me, anyhow. In the week that had passed since the incident with James, the closest thing to a sorry I’d gotten from her was, “Michael and I are happy to hear that you were not murdered. I cannot tell you how many problems that would have created for Dignitary.”
“Maybe James suffered from multiple personality disorder,” I said to Michael, just to give him something. The sooner he felt that we’d exhausted the topic, the sooner he’d take me home. I hoped.
He scratched his head. “Why do you say that?”
“It seemed so weird, the way it went down. The way James attacked me, it didn’t seem personal to him.”
“I don’t understand. Murder seems pretty damn personal to me.”
I sighed. Read the room, Michael. I don’t want to talk about it . “It’s difficult to put into words. James obviously intended to kill me, but I didn’t get the feeling that he hated me—not until I skewered his eye with a bamboo stake, anyway. So, what was his motivation to hurt me? It was like he wanted to get it over with, like it was a chore.”
“Hmm.”
I shrugged. “Anyway, I’m happy it’s in the past. I know this is going to sound awful, but I’m glad he’s dead. He turned Liz into a vampire, and the way he’d bragged about killing women . . .” I shivered.
Michael started wringing his hands. I knew what was coming next. “Oh, Olivia! I’m so sorry about—”
“Really, Michael,” I cut in. “There’s no way you could have known. No way whatsoever.” I planted a kiss on his cheek. “So, no more apologizing, okay?”
“Okay.” He hugged me. “But only if we can make a deal. I won’t apologize again if you do one thing for me.”
“What’s that?”
“I want you to march over to the closet right this instant and pick out a few new outfits.”
“Michael, I couldn’t.” I held up the check. “You’ve already given me enough.”
“This isn’t up for discussion, young lady. Marlena’s been on a Neiman’s spree, so there’s too many clothes in there already.” He tugged my ear playfully. “Now march! I don’t want to see you come out of there unless your arms are full.”
“But—”
“You know it’s pointless to argue,” he said firmly. “And your vampire hunk is probably missing you at home, so you’d better chop-chop.”
“Robert’s out of town for the night, so he doesn’t even know that I’m gone.” I smiled mischievously. “Don’t tell him that I said this, but it’s nice to get some space. He’s finally starting to realize that I’m not as fragile as he thinks.”
Michael laughed and gave me a gentle push. “Into the closet, young lady. When you’re done, I’ll take you home personally.”
Michael hadn’t been kidding about Marlena’s shopping spree. She must have needed a shoehorn to get all the clothes in, the closet was so packed. I hurriedly skimmed the racks, aware that Michael was waiting.
I didn’t want to be a greedy guts and load my arms up like I was a pack mule, but I knew Michael would throw a fit if I came out with only a pair of shoes. I selected a few casual dresses, a grey pencil skirt, a tweed jacket, and a caramel-colored trench coat. I grabbed a pair of sensible kitten heels, but then went back over my options. After a bit of waffling, I exchanged them for slinky black patent stilettos that I normally wouldn’t buy for myself. Why not live a little?
That should do it, I thought with satisfaction.
I encountered Marlena when I stepped into the hall. Her eyes narrowed on the clothes in my arms. Though I’d been ordered to take them, her gaze made me feel like I’d been caught shoplifting. “Michael told me to take these. I tried to refuse, but he insisted.”
“Oh, really.” It wasn’t a question.
She said nothing more, so I prattled on. “He’s taking me home now.”
“Oh, really?” This time it was a question. “Why aren’t you being dropped off by the car service?”
I shrugged. “Michael wants to take me home himself.”
Marlena was irritated. Her silence said as much.
“Robert is out of town, Marlena, or else I’d have him pick me up. If it’s a problem—”
She sighed. “No, Michael has his reasons, I’m sure.”
I smiled, “Thank you for having me at Dignitary. It’s been a pleasure working for . . .”
Marlena skulked off, leaving me to stand there blathering to myself. So glad I’ll never have to deal with that nasty bitch again , I thought, and then I went to find Michael. I couldn’t stand to be in the place one second longer.