18
EVENING HAD ARRIVED, and there was no more dodging the issue of getting out of bed. Poor Milo had been kept outside for most of the day, and he had to be lonely. But Christie didn’t want to move, unless it was to turn over and snuggle closer to Boone.
His stomach grumbled, and that did it. She kicked the covers off and sat up. Damn, he looked great, all spread out and naked right there on her blue sheets. She stretched, feeling languid and a little sore, thinking about the shower. She should go by herself, because if they did it together, there was no guarantee they’d have dinner any time soon.
“Don’t go,” he said, then he winced and touched his lip.
“When’s the last time you took an aspirin?”
“I don’t need an aspirin.”
“Oh, really? You feel no pain, is that it?”
“That’s right, missy.” He banged on his chest like a gorilla. “Real men don’t need aspirin.”
She bent over and kissed him, hard, on the lips. He yelped like a little boy. Still hovering inches above him, she smiled. “Liar.”
“Okay, so we feel a little pain.”
“I’m going to get out of this bed. First, I’ll bring you medicine. Then, I’m taking a shower because, frankly, we’re pretty rank. After that, I plan to eat an obscene amount of junk food. You may come with me, as long as you swear not to rag on me about my meal choices.”
“I may, huh? I suppose I can hold back.” He rolled over, nearly knocking her off the bed. “Wake me when it’s time for food.”
She slapped his naked butt. “Like hell. You get to feed Milo, you lucky stiff. And you get to shower as soon as I’m done.”
“Hey, wait a minute.”
“My house, my rules.”
“But who’s going to wash your back?”
“I’ll manage. Now don’t fall asleep.” Christie got out of bed, wincing a little herself, and grabbed her robe from the back of her door. She went into the bathroom, got Boone some painkillers and a glass of water and made sure he took the pills. The she smiled as she gathered her clothes and headed for the shower.
THEY’D GONE FAST-FOOD ALL the way, including a plain burger without the bun for Milo, who was now frolicking happily on the grass while Christie ate and Boone scowled. He’d kept his promise and hadn’t said a word. Not that he had to. The crease above his nose spoke volumes.
She looked around the park, enjoying the freedom of eating alfresco, even if it was at a picnic table. There were two other families sitting several tables away, and quite a few folks with dogs, which was why she’d chosen this particular park. Milo deserved a reward after all he’d been through. Just like she deserved the large order of fries and the chocolate milk shake. Boone, foolish boy, had gotten a grilled chicken salad with no dressing. Incomprehensible.
Just as Boone was about to say something, his cell rang, saving her, she felt sure, from a lecture on trans-fats. She half listened as he tried to tell Seth discretely why his phone had been off for most of the day, but mostly she watched Milo, who was fascinated by a Rottweiler’s rear end. Boone’s voice changed so dramatically that she forgot the dogs and zeroed in on the part of the conversation she could hear.
“When?” Boone asked.
She tried to catch his eye, but he was staring at the table, deeply focused and concerned.
“Get everything you can, and get out of there. The police could show up anytime.”
Police? Christie pushed aside the last of her fries as she fell right back into fear mode.
“Good. Check back. Don’t be long.” Boone disconnected the call and looked up at Christie. “Larry’s dead.”
“The hacker?”
He nodded. “He’s been dead for a while. We assume it was Dan’s handiwork, but we can’t be sure. Seth is collecting all the data he can, but the place was trashed so there’s not much.”
“Oh, God. Was he married? Kids?”
“He was divorced, no children. Goddammit, he was a good man. He didn’t deserve that. Listen, we should get going. Lay low until we hear back from Seth.”
She gathered their trash and tossed it while Boone fetched Milo. It was shallow, what with the man’s death, but she couldn’t help but realize that all hope of getting her savings had just died, too.
Boone put his arm around her shoulders as they walked to his truck, which was a comfort, but the news was simply too unsettling, for both of them.
“He was a good friend,” she said.
“Yeah, he was.”
“I’m so sorry, Boone.”
He nodded as he opened the rear door for Milo. “Me, too.”