Page 12 of Winter

She was still deep in thought when Nancy came in, and she asked her adoptive mother if she thought she was just looking for an Olly replacement. Nancy thought about it.

“I don’t think so, Inca. You’ve never been someone who needs a man at all times. Maybe it’s just that you and this Winter boy clicked in a way that you haven’t experienced.”

Inca reddened slightly, and Nancy laughed. “Inca, I’m not talking about sex, and it’s okay. You know, I’m not dead below the waist just because I’m over fifty. He’s a very handsome young man. Just remember, you might want him, but you don’tneedhim. You are your own person.”

Inca smiled at her gratefully.

“Hey, anyone serving?”

Olly grinned at her as she went to greet him, and as she poured some hot tea for him, she studied him. “You look tired.”

He gave a small laugh. “Got time to talk now?” But his words were without rancor and she sighed.

“Olly, for you, of course. Just … I can’t be the person you call last thing at night anymore, you know? For both of us, we need to take a step back.”

“Yeah, I know. Listen, Luna says you have a new friend, one of the Winters?”

Inca looked surprised. “Haven’t you met them yet?”

Olly shook his head. “I don’t know whether this sounds bad, but for once, the department has been busy. I wish it wasn’t for the reason it was.”

“Me neither. Any progress?” Inca saw Nancy join them, listening to what Olly was saying.

“We’ve identified one of the women. Kristin Chu, a lawyer from Seattle. Her family is pretty broken up.”

“I would think. How did she die?”

Olly hesitated. “Stabbed. Multiple times. Poor kid was almost gutted.”

Inca looked sick. “God.”

Nancy shook her head and Olly looked at her. “The other woman was Asian too.”

Nancy and Olly shared a look and Inca sighed. “Just say it.”

“Wouldn’t hurt to be extra-vigilant.”

“I thought serial killers were only called that after at least five victims?”

“Don’t be a wise-ass.” Nancy gave her daughter’s butt a swat. “Just be careful.”

Inca rolled her eyes. “Okay, okay.”

Olly smiled at her. “So, when are you going to introduce me to your new boyfriend?”

“Not boyfriend.Friend.” But Inca felt relief that Olly seemed to be okay with it. “And anyway, I wanted to talk to you about Luna. Is she okay? She was a bit off earlier.”

Olly looked uncomfortable. “She’s having trouble with us splitting. You know how unstable she feels all the time.”

“Gotcha. Tell her I miss her, will you? We need to have some girly nights in.”

Olly nodded. “I will. Thanks, Inks. Look, all joking aside, you’ll make this old man happy if you make sure your deadbolt is on at night, okay?”

“Promise.”

Inca rememberedhis words that night and, when she went up to her apartment that night, she shot the deadbolt across and double locked it. Weary, she took a long bath, then heated up some leftovers in the microwave and sat in front of the television. Outside, the snow was piling up again and she gave an involuntary shiver as she watched the snow fall silently over her little home town.

Willowbrook was the only town stuck out on a tiny peninsula on the Washington coastline. The one road out of town would sometimes get blocked with snow during winter and then the town became like an island. Inca had always loved the place since Nancy and Tyler had adopted her and brought her home from the children’s home in Seattle. She had never questioned their love for her was as strong as hers for them, and she had never shown any interest in finding out her family history. Lately, though, feeling lonely was becoming a habit, and she’d wondered if she should push Nancy harder for information.