Again an interesting emphasis. Everything? He had a suspicion Arra’s everything included a few somethings he didn’t yet know about, but before he could ask, she continued.

“I saw him with his daughters and I realized that a man who has no idea he’s being played by an eight year old and an eleven year old couldn’t help me.”

“Harsh.”

“Perhaps. There’s always the chance I just chickened out at the last minute and ran.”

Given her history, Tony found the latter more likely. “Uh, you know that if the police stop you, you’ll be a lot later getting home.”

“The police don’t see this car.”

“Damn.”

“I move from world to world and this is what impresses you?”

“This, I understand. And . . .” Another light changed after only a moment of red. “. . . I was also impressed by the maggots.”

The corner of her mouth he could see twisted up into a close approximation of a smile. “Fair enough. What happened to the girl?”

“What girl?”

“Kate.”

“You know about Kate?”

“I was there. I saw. I needed to see.” Her tone lengthened the list of questions even further—although the new ones hadn’t quite acquired actual words.

“Henry took her home.” At least he assumed Henry took her home. He’d been dropped off first and although Kate was sprawled across pristine upholstery in the back seat of the BMW still totally out of it, she was smiling. He’d reminded himself he trusted Henry, had stripped and fallen into bed. Sleep hadn’t been long in coming and he really wished he hadn’t thought about sleeping. Images from the dream played out like a slide show in his head.

Arra’s voice disrupted the show. “You found a way without me.”

“It’s easier with you.”

“Not always.”

Okay. Enough was enough. “Stop doing that!”

“Doing what?”

“Adding another layer. Talking to you is like opening one of those nested doll things. You open one and there’s another. I get that you’re thinking things through, working out old shit—really I do get that—but every time you open your mouth, you’re saying six or seven things besides the stuff you’re saying out loud, but you’re leaving me to figure out what those things are! How come I have to be the hero and figure all this shit out?” Whoa. Where had that come from? He didn’t even feel better having said it.

“Maybe I should just drive.”

“Yeah. Maybe you should.”

Arra screeched into her parking place at the co-op, turned off the car, tossed Tony her keys, and disappeared. Damp air rushed in through the open window to fill the empty space.

He swallowed as his ears popped. “Guess I’m taking the scenic route.”