Page 115 of Line of Sight

I smiled. “That’s precisely why I get away with it. Every. Single. Time. And no one ever suspects.”

His breathing hitched. “You mean… you’ve…?”

I nodded slowly.

His eyes grew large. “Whoa. Seriously?”

Another nod. “So was that the beer talking, or could you really kill someone?”

“Why?” He gave me a drunken grin. “You got someone in mind?”

I smiled and whispered, “My parents. And before you react in horror, let me tell you those two people have abused me since I was old enough to walk. You’d be doing the world a favor.”

I spun him a tall tale, and he drank it all in. By the time he’d finished his next beer, I knew I had him on my hook.

I leaned forward. “Here’s what I propose. Before you go your way and I go mine, we exchange details. You tell me what I need to know about your wife, I tell you what you need to know about my parents.” I smiled. “I’ll be generous. You don’t have to make a move until your wife is dead and you’ve collected the insurance. I know these things take time, right? But after that, you can kill my parents any time you like. Just make it look likean accident, a robbery gone bad, anything you like. I don’t need to say ‘Don’t get caught,’ do I?”

He blinked. “You’re serious.”

“Of course. Just think of how much you have to gain. No more debts. No more ex-wife.” I cocked my head. “Who is divorcing whom, by the way?”

“I’m divorcing her. She moved to Toronto to be near her mom, and while I was out trying to find work? She had an affair.”

“Then I suggest you forgive her.”

His eyes bulged. “What the fuck?”

“I’m serious. Forgive her. And above all, keep paying the premiums. You want to be on good terms with her, right?” I lowered my voice. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to kill her right away. I’ll wait a while. Maybe even a couple of years, long enough for you to get the relationship back on an even keel. I’m not saying you should move to Toronto—let her live her life there while you stay in Boston. Visit her now and then, but just make sure everything is amicable. Now, do we have a deal?”

He stared at me, and for one moment I thought I’d read him wrong.

Then he grinned. “We have a deal.”

“There is one proviso that I feel I ought to mention. If for some reason you should renege on your side of the deal—you collect on the insurance and then decidenotto kill my parents, you should be aware.” I locked gazes with him. “I will come looking for you. Iwillfind you. And Iwillkill you.” I smiled, then got my phone out. “Now, what’s her name?”

He stared at me for a moment, then swallowed.

“Amelia. Amelia Hall.”

Chapter Seventy-Seven

Monday, January 28, 2019

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston MA

2:00 p.m.

GARY OPENEDhis eyes, and his heart did a little jig to find Dan sitting beside the bed. “Hey.” He frowned. “What are you doing all the way over there?”

Dan chuckled, got out of the chair, and perched on the bed, covering Gary’s hand with his own. “Better?”

“It will be, as soon as you kiss me.” Dan leaned over and pressed his lips to Gary’s, and Gary breathed him in, Dan’s familiar scent mingling with a faint medicinal smell that told him exactly where he was.

Before he could confirm that, the door opened and a nurse entered. Dan was off the bed in a flash while she took Gary’s temperature, checked his pulse, and typed on her tablet.

“The doctor will be here to see you shortly. Try to rest. You’ve been through a lot.” Then she left as quickly as she’d arrived.

Dan sat back down, and Gary took in his surroundings. “Okay, now on to less important matters. I’m obviously in the hospital. What day is this?”