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The money's going to research a cure for exactly what Luke died of."
She paused, letting it sink in. "I can go with Johnno. Representing
you," she said quickly.
He looked up from the keys again, his eyes flat. Her heart began to
pound. It was a look she knew, and feared. "Anxious to get away, are
you, dear?"
"No." She forced herself to move to him, to touch a hand to his hair.
"I'd much rather you go with me." She gritted her teeth. "We could go
on down to the Keys afterward."
"Dammit, Emma, you know I'm working. Typical of you to think only of
yourself."
"Of course. I'm sorry." She backed off in a submission that was only
partly an act. "It's just that I'd love it if we could get away for a
few days. Just the two of us. I'll call Johnno and tell him I can't
make it."
Drew considered a moment. The benefit was the break he needed. He
intended to dump Birdcage Walk and strike out solo. He was the star,
after all, and the rest of the group was holding him back.
He needed big exposure, and lots of interested press. If a funeral
could help him along, that was fine. In any case, he wanted nothing
more than to get rid of Emma for a day or two.
"I think you should go."
Her heart nearly stopped. Be careful, she warned herself. Don't make a
mistake. "Then you'll come?"
"No. But I think you can manage one day on your own. Especially if
Johnno takes care of you. Make sure to weep copiously and say all the
right things about the tragedy of AIDS."
SHE WORE A simpLE black suit. Since Drew watched her every move, she
couldn't take anything else. She'd hardly need fancy duds for a spot of
mourning, would she? he asked. She was allowed a pair of black pumps
and an oversized purse that would. double as a carryon. He even
checked through her cosmetics bag while she sat on the bed.
Since he'd locked her pa.s.sport up, and taken her credit cards away -you
really are careless about such matters, Emma-she was totally dependent
upon him. He made her flight arrangements. A round-trip. He'd given
her fourteen hours of freedom. Her flight left LaGuardia at
nine-fifteen, and she was due back at ten twenty-five the same evening.
He'd generously allotted her forty dollars in cash. She'd stolen
fifteen more, feeling like a thief, from the housekeeping money. She'd
tucked it in her shoe. Now and again she wiggled her toes, felt it, and
was struck with excitement and shame.
She was lying to him.
Don't ever lie to me, Emma. I'M always find out the truth and punish
you.
She was never coming back.
Don't ever try to leave me, Emma. I'll find you. I'll always find you
and you'll be sorry.
She was running away.
You'll never run fast enough to get away from me, Emma. You belong to
me. You need me to take care of you because you make so many stupid
