Page 185 of The Night Shift

I already told him what happened. That I came down here for a sandwich, that I didn’t even hear the guy approach until it was too late. That I reacted on instinct — turned too fast, knife in hand, and — well. Accidents happen. It’s not agoodlie, but it will have to do.

I plant my hands behind me on the metal countertop, legs on either side of him. The metal is cold and grounding against my palms. I focus on that and not the way my skin still feels tight, like something lingers there.

“Are you still hungry? Theo asks. “I could make you another sandwich if you like.”

“Stop coddling me.”

“It’s just a question, Holly. I’m showing concern. Am I permitted to do that without being chastised for it?” He presses the cloth to my jaw again, then the side of my neck. He dips the cloth into the bowl of warm water beside him. The red bleeds into the water, swirling like ink on paper. Pretty.

“I’m sorry,” he says after a beat. “I didn’t mean to snap, I just…I should’ve been there. I shouldn’t have been fucking sleeping. I should’ve followed you down —”

I snort. “Are you seriously apologizing fornotstalking me for once?”

“You know what I mean.”

“You’re overreacting. I’m fine. And in case you missed the very dead body on the floor, I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself with or without you. The only reason I called you down here was to help me clean up.” Lies.

“Iwishyou’d called me.”

“I did.”

“You texted. My phone was on silent. Calls vibrate. I would’ve woken up.”

“So, it’s my fault?”

Theo’s brows knit. “No, I —” He exhales. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just —” He shakes his head. “I just wish I’d been here. Not because I think you needed me — of course, you don’t. I know you can handle yourself. But you’re not invincible and I hate that some fucker thought, even for a second, that he could sneak up on you. I should have been here, because you shouldn’t have had to deal with this alone.” His gaze flicks to the body, jaw tightening. “And because I wish I was here to kill the balding bastard myself.”

“Oh, so you’re a full-fledged killer now, is it?”

“I’ll be whatever the hell you want me to be.” No hesitation. Not a single beat of doubt. He tilts his head, just slightly. “Within reason, of course. As long as it doesn’t involve shaving my head, I do havesomedignity.”

Despite the circumstances, that makes me smile.

“I’m not trying to be funny, love.” But he’s smiling too. Though, in his defense, that might just be a side effect of seeing me smile.

“You’re still failing spectacularly.”

He steps back and scans the mess, wringing out the bloody cloth and sealing it into an airlock plastic bag to throw away later. “I’ll handle the blood. You keep an eye on the time. Morning staff comes in at three.”

I nod. “Did you bring the bleach?”

He reaches into his tiny magical backpack and pulls out a massive bottle of industrial-strength disinfectant.

“What the fuck is this?”

“Hydrogen peroxide. Cleans blood better.” He sounds very pleased with himself.

“Why is it the size of your head? Did you pack this with you? Were youanticipatinga murder this weekend?”Calm down, Holly. You called him here and at least, he’s being helpful.

“No,” he says, cheerfully uncapping the bottle. “But obviously, I should have been.” He pulls out more supplies from the bag — latex gloves, a few plastic shower curtains, more airlock baggies — before meeting my gaze again. “There’s no need to look so impressed. I raided a cleaning closet on my way down.”

I don’t say anything. Because, really, amIin a position to judge?

I watch as he plants a foot against the dead man's shoulder and yanks the butcher knife free with a beautiful, wetschlck. Bits of flesh cling stubbornly to the blade. Theo tilts the knife,watching the blood drip sluggishly onto the tile before sliding it into a plastic bag and sealing it shut.

He then lays out a shower curtain under the body, maneuvering it into place with his one functioning hand, and it’s almost impressive how easy he makes this look. He was born to be an accomplice to murder.

He wraps the body in a fresh shower curtain, securing the plastic tightly before grabbing a small bucket from the corner.