Page 29 of He is Poison
“What we’re doing now isteaching you to recognize clues in people’s behavior and how they look. Useyour imagination, every detail can have a meaning, and if something doesn’t fitthe general image, it might mean you’re fucked.”
“Like this hot guy withfreaky fingers,” Seth said and it was obviously a dig at Dom, but at least heseemed to listen.
“Exactly, it’s a goodthing you noticed.” Domenico pulled away to have some space between them. “Nowforget everything you know about me and just look. What can you tell from theway I look now and why?”
Seth took a deep breathand took a moment. “Well dressed, but on a budget. Likes some bling.” Sethwiggled his fingers, indicating Dom’s signets and crooked his head. “Toocasually dressed for a high position office job. Day off maybe. Pampered butrough around the edges. I wouldn’t assume gay though.”
Domenico’s lips crookedinto a smile despite his best will. “Good, what about my skin tone, or hair?”
“Are you fishing forcompliments?” Seth raised his eyebrows, the glossiness of his eyes gone.“Southerner, but not as dark as some, so maybe has mixed heritage. The hair…actually...” Seth bit his lip. “A bit of eccentricity to the conservative look?Definitely peacocking.”
Domenico chuckled,rewarding himself with a big gulp of coffee. It was so sweet it stifled anyhunger he felt. “That’s about right. Anything else?”
Seth eyed him for a longmoment and squinted. “Mama’s boy.”
Domenico blinked, butotherwise didn’t let Seth know there was some truth in his words. “Why?”
“You’re not married, butyou have a signet on your ring finger. I bet you got it from your mom.” Seth smirked.
Domenico leaned back,frowning at him. “Good.” Slowly, he clapped his hands. “And that’s what I wantfrom you.”
“A slo-moclap? Really?That’s all I get?” Seth moaned.
“What do you want? Ablow job?”
Seth’s pupils widened,and it probably took a lot of effort for him to say no. Domenico was tempted tolaugh in his face and call him out on the lack of balls, but if he was going tobe a successful teacher, sincerity had to wait.
They spent an hourwatching pedestrians, and Seth had some valid observations once he put his mindto it. He didn’t try to flirt with strangers either, more focused on the taskat hand.
Domenico’s bodystiffened when he saw a familiar face heading for the subway station. Pretty,but in a common way, Vera Salieri walked past them in a colorful dress withgeometrical patterns and a pair of Louboutins, holding onto a folder with theHumboldt University’s logo. Her hair was long with blonde highlights, and assoon as she was out in the sun, she pulled a pair of shades over her eyes.
“What about her?” askedDomenico, finishing his coffee.
Seth took a while, whichwas good. Meant he didn’t just throw stuff at the wall to see what stuck.“Student. Elegant for her age. Doesn’t look local with the darker skin tone,but then again there’s lots of immigrants here. Unmarried.”
“How do you know that?”asked Dom, slowly getting up from the bench and gesturing for Seth to follow.
“No ring, obviously.”Seth quickly caught up with him. “Maybe she… nah, just fantasizing. I can’treally see much more.”
“She’s not just astudent,” said Domenico, frowning at the too-short skirt.If he didn’t know anybetter, he’d assume she’d come from some pit of Jezebels.
“Undercover cop?” Sethinched closer, instantly more interested.
“No, she’s working forthe Chinese,” said Domenico, following her into the subway station, past abakery where they’d gotten their breakfast earlier.
Seth went silent, eventhough he didn’t stop walking. Dom couldsmellthe fear prickling on hisskin.
“Don’t you worry, actnormal. She doesn’t know what we look like. And you’re right, she’s anunmarried student, from a family without great means.” He lowered his voice,waiting for Seth to recognize the meaning of this as they followed her into thestation with wall tiles forming big geometrical figures.
“Yet she’s wearingexpensive shoes.” Good, Seth wasn’t as stupid as Dom had begun to think. He’dstepped closer to Dom as soon as the Chinese had been mentioned.
“Don’t.” Domenicostopped him with a gentle pat on the arm. “There will be time forconfrontation, but not today. Today, we watch,” he said, walking toward whereSalieri stopped. She opened the folder and was leafing through what looked likehandouts. His face soured when he spotted the lace of her stocking, and herneckline wasn’t modest either. What a tramp. No way was she still a virgin.
“What do you know abouther?” Seth watched her as well, attentive and straight as a streetlight.
“Loosen up,” Domenicotold him, proceeding only after his student changed the unnatural pose. “Wedon’t know who gave her information about you, but we do know for a fact it washer who answered your Craigslist ad.”
“Bitch,” Seth spat, hisnose flaring, his hands already squeezed into fists, but he stood in place astold. Good.