Across The Pond, page 12
***
“They’re not very good criminals, are they?” I say as I sip a cup of the most tasteless coffee imaginable from a styrofoam cup.
“I’m really sorry about this, Danny,” my barrister replies, not even bothering to touch his. “I never imagined that, well, that this could happen. Some of that gold did belong to the Abramovitzes. But they pawned it. The paperwork says so. I am so sorry.”
“She said she has a large family. Do you think this is over? Or could there be more of them out there?”
“I seriously doubt it,” Sergeant Markovitz says as he walks in. “Still, it’s a possibility we’re looking into at the moment. Sorry you have to miss your flight, ma’am. But this is a criminal investigation. I’m sure your lawyer can explain everything to you. If you need a place to stay, we can make arrangements.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Rob says beside me. “She’ll be perfectly safe at my place.”
“We’ll keep a patrol car outside your house just in case,” the sergeant says to him. “Not that I think it’s necessary. The old woman was outta her mind, and the other two aren’t very smart. Good thing you weren’t hurt. And your man acted fast. Ma’am,” he says as he walks off.
“I am so sorry about all this, Rob. I’m so glad you and Catalina were at your mother’s house in Queens. You actually saved my life.”
“I think that makes us even, then.”
I look at him questioningly, and the one he gives me back is intense. I recognize it, I think. It is love and relief, an end to loneliness. I melt.
As we leave for his place, I look forward to finally being able to spend a night with him. Maybe even for the rest of my life. I can’t leave the country yet, after all.
And a final thought hits me: my house is big enough for the four of us.
Faith Wolf, Across The Pond
