day. No felons need apply.”
Faith’s face flushed. She took a mug from the sink rack and poured a
cup of coffee.
Lee stood. “Look, that was out of line. I’m sorry.”
“I deserve a lot worse than that, actually.”
“Fine, I’ll let other people do the honors.”
Faith poured a cup of coffee for him and sat down at the table. Max
came into the kitchen and nudged her hand. She smiled and petted the
dog’s broad head.
“Max taken care of?”
“All set.” He checked his watch. “The bank opens shortly. We’ll have
just enough time to pack. We’ll get your stuff, head to the airport,
get our tickets and fly, fly away.”
“I can call down and arrange for the house from the airport. Or should
I try from here?”
“No. Phone logs can be checked.”
“I didn’t think of that.”
“You’re going to have to start to.” He took a sip of coffee. “Hope
the place is available.”
“It will be. I happen to own it. Or at least my other identity
does.”
“Small place?”
“Depends on what you call small. I think you’ll be comfortable.”
“I’m easy.” He carried his coffee into the bedroom and came out a few
minutes later wearing a navy blue sweater over his T-shirt. His
mustache and beard were gone and he had a baseball cap on. He was
carrying a small plastic bag.
“The evidence of our make overs he explained.
“And no disguise?”
“Mrs. Carter’s used to me keeping odd hours, but if I barge in looking
like somebody else, it’ll be a little much for her this early in the
morning. And I don’t want her being able to give anyone a description
later on.”
“You are good at this,” said Faith. “That’s reassuring.”
He called Max. The big dog obediently padded from the small living
room into the kitchen, stretched his body and then sat next to Lee. “If
the phone rings, don’t answer it. And stay away from the windows.”
Faith nodded and then he and Max were gone. She took her coffee and
walked around the small apartment. It was a curious cross between a
messy college dorm and a more mature person’s home. In what should
have been the dining room, Faith found a home gym. Nothing fancy, no
high-dollar, high-tech machines, just barbells, a weight bench and
squat rack that were set up throughout the space. In one corner was a
heavy punching bag and next to it a speed bag. Boxing and weight
gloves, hand wraps and towels were neatly arranged on a small wooden
table next to a box of white powder. A medicine ball sat in another
corner.
On the walls were some photos of men in Navy whites. Faith picked out
Lee quite easily. He looked pretty much the same at eighteen as he did
now. However, the years had weathered his face, cut in lines and
angles that made him even more attractive, even more seductive. Why
was aging so damn tilted in favor of men? There were black and white
photos of Lee in the boxing ring, and one of him with his hand raised
in victory, a medal resting against his wide chest. His expression was
calm, as though he had expected to win; in fact, as though he would not
accept losing.
Faith gave the heavy bag a small punch with a loosely made fist, and
her hand and wrist instantly throbbed. In that moment she recalled how
big and thick Lee’s hands were, the knuckles resembling a miniature
mountain range. A very strong, resourceful, tough man. A man who
could take punishment. She just hoped he would remain on her side.
She went into the bedroom. On the nightstand next to his bed was a
cell phone and next to that a portable panic-button device. Faith had
been too exhausted to notice them last night. She wondered if he slept
with his pistol under his pillow. Was he really just paranoid or did
he know something the rest of the world didn’t?
It suddenly occurred to her: Wasn’t he afraid she might make a run for
it? She went back into the hallway. The front was covered; he would