Page 68

68

Jonathan

Eva is right. Faking death worked for Andrew. It could work for us. It might be our only chance.

“They’ll want to see your bodies,” Andrew says.

“They didn’t see your body,” Eva points out.

“It’s different with you,” he says to me. “You’re a much bigger threat.”

“There are two ways to not leave behind a body,” I say. “You blow it up or you burn it down.”

“I don’t think even you could survive that, mate.” Andrew keeps calling me “mate,” so I know he really does not like me. But I cannot quite dislike him back, because he may have saved our lives. An idea is forming in my mind.

“We could draw fire. Lead them to us and then…boom.” That last word is an understatement.

“How would we draw them?” Eva asks.

“We can use Alfie. He must have some way of communicating with them.”

Eva seems energized by the idea. “Where would we draw them to?”

“I know a place,” I say. It might not be the perfect place, but it is convenient. “I know someone who has a house with an insecure foundation in the French countryside, near Bordeaux. They’re in the process of tearing it down. We could help.”

“I’m telling you, they’re going to want to see your bodies,” Andrew insists.

“I could leave something behind.” I lean back in my chair. “A finger. An arm. A leg. I know someone who can amputate anything.” I am honestly a little enchanted with the idea. I have always wanted to lose something I could never get back.

“Maybe something you don’t need,” Eva teases. “Like a kidney or a piece of your liver.”

“I’m serious,” I tell her. “It would be worth it if we could leave all this behind.”

“I’d rather you keep all ten fingers.” She weaves her fingers between mine. “I might need them.”

“How do you feel about toes?” I ask.

“I think it’s worth trying to keep all our body parts,” she says. If she wants them, then I have to keep them for her.

“Fine,” I say. “But it is an option.”

Andrew stands. He has finished his tea. “Well, I hate to be unsociable, but seeing as you’re on the lam and I’m meant to be dead, I think perhaps we ought to cut this session short.”

I stand and head toward the door. I have no desire to hang out with him either. “Thank you for the tea,” I say.

Eva moves to follow me.

“Eva?” Andrew says. “Mind if we have a quick chat?”

Eva looks at me. “Sure.” I should have killed Andrew when I had the chance.

I walk into the hall, then make it sound like I keep walking. I know I should not eavesdrop, but I do a lot of things I should not do.

“Are you sure everything is all right?” Andrew asks.

“I’m sure.”

“That guy is a pretty notorious murderer.”

“So am I, thank you very much. Anyway, he’s changed. You heard him. He doesn’t even want to kill people anymore.”

“He also said he wanted to amputate his leg.”

“Nobody’s perfect.”

“I don’t trust him.”

“He did shoot you.”

“…And maybe I’m a little jealous. You never looked at me like that.”

“You weren’t crazy enough for me. I didn’t think anyone was.”

Andrew laughs. “Good luck to whoever comes after the two of you. They’ll need it.”

“I’m glad you’re not dead.”

“Thank you,” he says. “And if the two of you ever need anything, please do not come back here.”

Eva laughs, then opens the door, catching me in the act.

“Were you eavesdropping?” she says.

“Yes.” At least I can be honest.

“You’re such a red flag,” she says, and then she throws her arms around me.

“I was joking about the leg,” I say.

She pats my cheek. “Of course you were. Come on. We have a train to catch.”