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One

O ver the incessant din of the Weather Channel, Danny Cutter heard the telephone system’s unique ring tone that signaled an arrival at the front door of his brother’s compound. He continued on the elliptical as he used the television remote to view a fish-eye image of Ailia Holms, dressed in a two-color, gray, zippered shell, white iPod wires in her ears. She stared up toward what was supposed to be a hidden camera. She mouthed, “Hello…” Her hair was pulled back into a single ponytail, her cheeks red with the cool morning air.

Danny resentfully disembarked the trainer, punched a button on the phone, and told her, “Be right there.”

The gym occupied the upper floor of the swimming pool barn. He navigated his way back through the series of renovated barns to the front door-a two-minute, brisk walk.

A towel draped around his neck, he answered the door.

“Hey there,” Ailia said, stepping inside without invitation.

Danny eased the door shut.

“Sleep well?” She used her vixen voice, the voice of the woman who had seduced him the night before.

“He’s not here,” Danny said. “He’s up at the lodge. The rest of the guests all arrive before noon.”

She touched his cheek. “Hot and sweaty. Just how I left you last night.”

“You could try his cell.”

“I’m taking a run out Adam’s Gulch,” she explained. “You want to come with?” Patrick’s compound abutted state forest land. Aspen -and evergreen-shrouded mountains were braided together with interlocking bike and foot trails.

“I’m just wrapping up,” he said, declining. “There’s coffee, if you want.”

“Staff arrives at eight, isn’t that right?” She checked her watch and cozied up to him. “We could put that twenty minutes to good use.”

“Rain check,” he said.

She complained, “It doesn’t rain much here, Danny. You know that.” She stepped away and looked around the room. “You’d never guess there were a hundred people here last night.”

She had a sultry walk as she prowled the room. He felt himself stir. He wanted none of that, already resenting the night before. “Can I leave a message or something?”

“Or something,” she said.

“Allie…”

She turned to face him. “Come on, Danny, I’m just kidding around.” They both knew differently. “Why so serious? I’ve got news for you. Good news for a change. The least you could do is pretend you’re glad to see me.”

“We talked about this.”

“Not really. I don’t remember talking all that much.”

He fought back an urge to just walk away and leave her before it got out of hand again.

“I’ve arranged a meeting between you and Stu.”

He felt his breath catch. “I expressly asked-”

“You can thank me now, if you like.” She checked her watch. “We’ve still got eighteen minutes.” She closed to within an arm’s reach.

“You know how hard it was to set up a meeting given his conference schedule?”

Danny felt his face flush.

“Don’t gush with thanks all at once. I can take it in little bits. Or little bites, or whatever.”

“I asked you to leave it alone.”

“You know me, Danny: I’m impulsive.”

He took her by both wrists and backed her up several feet against a couch.

“Shit, Danny, that hurts.”

He drove himself against her, pelvis against pelvis. “Is this what you want, Allie? Nice and rough. You want it on the couch? On the kitchen counter? Where?”

“You’re hurting me,” she gasped.

“You love it.”

“Fuck you!”

“You wish.”

He let go of her, stepped back.

Panting, she inspected her wrists.

“Shit, Danny. I think you bruised me. How am I going to explain that?”

“I’m sorry!”

“Sorry?” she said, rubbing her forearm. “You obviously don’t know Stu very well.”

“I told you I have to do this myself,” he scolded. “I don’t want Paddy’s help, or yours, or anybody else’s.”

She was still rubbing her forearm. “Shit! Shit! Shit! Long sleeves in July? Are you kidding me?”

“I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“What’s happened to you?” she mumbled. “You’re fucked up, Danny.”

“I was fucked up,” he said. “Not anymore.”

“Don’t be so sure.”

She pulled the heavy front door open. Morning sunlight had broken onto the opposing hillside, setting it on fire. She didn’t look at him, just walked outside.

She started into a slow jog, turned at the end of the drive, and broke into a full run.

Danny stepped back inside, shaken by what he’d done. He wondered where such anger came from, and worse, where it could lead.


Thirty | Killer Weekend | cëåäóþùàÿ ãëàâà