Page 89 of The Lie Maker

“Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they’re not there,” she said.

I was starting to feel very nervous. “What the hell is going on?”

“I’m five minutes out. Look for a white Impala. Be watching. Until I get there, don’t leave. If someone comes to the door, don’t answer it. And lock your door.”

“Jesus Christ, you’re freaking me out.”

“Good. Then maybe you won’t do anything stupid. When you see me pull up out front, get in the car as quickly as you can. Understood?”

“Can you give me some kind of fucking hint what the hell is going on?”

There was a pause at the other end while Gwen debated what to tell me. For a moment, I thought maybe the call had dropped out.

But then she was back.

She said, “Bill’s dead.”

Forty-Six

“I don’t think you’ll be gone forever.”

“You shouldn’t get your hopes up that I’ll be back.”

“Will you miss me?”

“I already miss you so much it hurts.”

“That’s why I think you’ll come back.”

“Go to sleep.”

“I’m going to dream about you coming back. Dreams can come true.”

“Shh.”

“Can’t you at least come and visit?”

“I think they have rules against that sort of thing. But maybe you can come visit me.”

“Can’t you just tell them you’re sorry?”

“I wish it was that easy.”

Forty-Seven

Jack

When I saw a white Impala come to a stop on the street, I fled the apartment, running down the stairs like the place was on fire. I came tearing out of the building, glancing both ways as I ran to the car, and jumped into the passenger side.

Gwen hit the gas, tires squealing.

“What’s happening?” I shouted. “Is someone after me? Am I in some kind of danger?”

She had her eyes on the road ahead, not looking my way at all as she spoke. “I don’t know. I’m waiting to hear. But I wanted to get you out of there for now.”

“And Bill’s dead?”

She kept her foot on the gas, running through the tail end of a yellow light. She came to a stop sign, turned right, drove a few blocks, then made another right, then a left two blocks after that.