“Meaning?”

Sydny took possession of her second brandy. “This guy, he gets as hard as a rock the minute I spread my legs, but this time, nada. Not a wriggle outta his snake. I asked him what the matter was.”

“What did he say?”

“Nothing. He had this weird look in his eyes, like he was far away, like I wasn’t even there.” Sydny shrugged. “Then he pays me, like always, and beats it outta there.”

“He say anything before he left?”

Sydny stuck her nose in the snifter, inhaled deeply. “Nope.”

“What d’you make of it?”

Sydny picked her head up. “What d’you think? He’s got a new girl. As long as he has her you can bet he’s never coming back to me.”

11

Whitman sat in a plush chair on the far side of Charlie’s bedroom, watching her sleep. The moon had arrived as if by invitation, its pale, silvery light etching the bold and beautiful lines of Charlie’s face. She had the aspect of a lioness, he thought, recalling one winter in Kenya tracking a Chechen terrorist.

Once again returned to the magical atmosphere that surrounded her like an aura, he breathed her in. It had been a long time since he had been in here, a long time since he had sat in this chair, sleepless, watching her at rest.

“How long are you going to sit there without saying a word?” Charlie said without opening her eyes or stirring even a muscle.

“I don’t know,” he answered. “I have nothing to say.”

“I hauled a man halfway through a window tonight.”

“So I heard.”

“News travels fast in your neck of the woods.”

“The jungle drums were going to beat the band.”

Her eyes opened, and at the same instant she gave him a curious smile, one he’d never seen before except maybe, once, on a dolphin.

“It’s been a long time since you sat there.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

“I was thinking the same thing.”

“We’re not starting again, Whit.” It wasn’t a question.

“I know.”

“I can’t do it.” Her eyes never left his. “I won’t.”

“I know that, too.”

“Then why are you here?”

He stretched out his legs, crossed one ankle over the other. “Safe harbor.”

For a long time, Charlie watched him, then she closed her eyes. Soon enough she was fast asleep, the curious smile still on her lips. Whitman had just closed his eyes when his mobile vibrated. It was time to go. For an instant, he considered staying. The truth was he didn’t want to leave Charlie, did not want to leave this haven, damaged though it was, the past that enclosed them both.

Then he rose, silent as an owl. The company car was waiting downstairs.

* * *

“So, kitten, you’re not a reporter, and if you’re a PI, I’m Beyoncé,” Sydny said. “So, come on now, who are you really and why are you so interested in Adam?”

Julie sighed. “The girl Adam was dreaming of that night? That’s me.” She paused, keeping her gaze steady. It was crucial now that Sydny believe this final lie, which was why she was going to leaven the falsehood with grains of the truth. And in so doing, she thought, maybe I’ll get something out of this, too. “His name isn’t Adam, by the way. It’s Greg, but most people call him Whit.”