Page 93 of You Shouldn't Have Come Here

She tilted her head to the other side. “Did you kill Albert?”

“No.” I panted. “That bitch... was... hollering and... Albert’s drunk ass... must... have heard it. He stumbled right... into the bees.”

Grace brought the knife to her side and glanced out the window, taking in the scenery while she twirled the weapon in her hand. I tried to move again, but I had no control of my body. It was like I had been dipped into a pool of quicksand. I wasn’t sure what she would do. She seemed conflicted about calling the police. But why?

Grace’s eyes scanned my body.

“Are you going to call them or not?” I forced the words out all at once.

“No cell phone service,” she said.

I tried to point at the computer but I couldn’t. I sucked in a gulp of air. “The computer. There’s aWi-Firouter beside it. Just plug it in.”

She raised an eyebrow. “You lied about theWi-Fitoo?” Grace walked to the desk and pulled out the chair, taking a seat. One movement of the mouse made the screen turn on. I strained to see what she was doing. I knew my Airbnb account was pulled up because it was the last thing I looked at to confirm my next guest’s arrival in a few days.

“Review guest. Don’t mind if I do,” she said with a devious smile. She placed her fingers on the keyboard and typed away, reading aloud the words, “Grace was a terrific guest. She’s welcome back anytime.”

“What the hell are you doing?” I yelled and then gasped for air.

She dramatically clicked the mouse. “Rating: five stars.”

“I have to know,” Grace said, standing from her seat. “Because it’s been bothering me. What really happened the night Lisa died?”

I sighed. “Will you call the police if I tell you?”

“Sure.”

I took several deep breaths.

My eyes closed for a moment and the memory flashed across the back of my lids like a movie in a dark theater.

Lisa sat in the passenger seat beside me while I drove Joe’s truck on the black twisting road. It was dark outside, the only light coming from the moon and the vehicle’s headlights. I couldn’t tell if the rumbling was coming from the truck or Joe asleep in the back seat, snoring away. She glanced over at me and smiled. Her hair was full of blond ringlets and her eyes were green like emeralds. The evening was perfect until it wasn’t anymore.

“Calvin, I’m leaving next week,” she said shakily.

“What do you mean?” I tried to keep my eyes on the road, but I kept looking over at her.

“My assignment isover.”

“I thought you extended it already.” I gripped the steering wheel a little tighter.

Lisa tilted her head. “I tried. But they don’t need me anymore, so I accepted a temporary nursing position in Alaska. I start nextweek.”

“You didn’t even talk to me about this,” I yelled.

She reached out and put her hand on my shoulder. “I’m talking to you rightnow.”

“No, you’re not. You’re just telling me how it’s going to be.” I flicked her hand off and shoved herback.

“Calvin,” she nearly cried. “This doesn’t have to be the end for us.”

I saw red and pressed down on the gas pedal. The truck sped up from forty toforty-five.

“Yes, it does,” Isaid.

“Slow down, Calvin,” Lisa begged.

Up ahead an animal prepared to cross the road. The headlights made its eyesglow.