Cold Deception by D.B. Tait Read Free Book Online Page B

coffee.
    Her mind made up, she crossed the highway and walked through the railway underpass, now painted with colorful murals as a way of discouraging graffiti. When she reached the top of the steps, she found the wind had dropped and the sun was out. A classic mountains winter’s day. Clear and crisp. Full of sudden optimism, she entered Cafe Zuppa and hoped the coffee was as good as ten years ago.
    Sally sat at a table in earnest conversation with an older man who looked vaguely familiar.
    Another first. It seemed the day was full of them.
    She walked slowly out of the sunny day into the darkness of the cafe. Wood paneling topped with mirrors lined the walls in classic Art Deco style. As she made her way to Sally’s table she caught sight of herself and stopped. She looked haunted and wraith-like. Dark circles under her eyes and a look of desperation on her face. Her plan to not look like a victim didn’t seem to be working.
    As soon as Sally saw her, she leapt from the table and threw her arms around her.
    “Jules! It’s so good to see you.”
    Julia stood stiffly and let herself be hugged, then slowly relaxed into her old friend’s embrace. Sally visited her sporadically but consistently throughout the ten years, always making it clear she would not forget or abandon her. Sometimes Julia wished she wouldn’t come, not certain Sally didn’t visit her out of a sense of guilt.
    Guilt. Someday they had to resolve what was between them.
    “If I’d kept quiet about Father Pat, you wouldn’t be in this horrible place,” she’d tearfully said to Julia the first time she visited her.
    “That’s not true, Sal,” she replied, knowing Sally wouldn’t believe her. It was the truth, no matter what Sally thought. “What I did was my responsibility and no one else’s.”
    Sally shook her head then dried her tears. They never mentioned it again.
    Now, Sally broke her embrace and held Julia away from her, peering into her face.
    “You’re pale. Sit with us and let me buy you a big, gooey cake with lots of cream. And a double shot café latte. Make you fat and speedy at the same time.”
    Julia laughed. Sally always had the ability make her laugh. She felt relaxed for the first time in a long time. Sally would ignore the last ten years and just pick up where they left off. Which usually involved sitting in this cafe, drinking coffee and giggling. What she wouldn’t give to do exactly that right now. But the other occupant of the table didn’t look like the giggling type.
    “Jules, this is Douglas Sinclair. He’s a psychiatrist up here and does some work at the Health Center. This is my old friend Julia Taylor.”
    “Good to meet you, Julia,” he said, standing and holding out his hand. “How’s it going?”
    She let him take her hand and studied him. Tall, maybe in his forties, with salt and pepper shaggy hair and kind eyes that regarded her with friendly sympathy. She made herself smile wondering if Eleanor saw him as a client. She’d mentioned she’d been seeing a psychiatrist over the years. If she did see him, he probably knew a lot about the notorious Julia Taylor. Most people knew a lot about her. That realisation hit her with sudden force. She thought she could become anonymous and disappear into the ether after she got out, but that wouldn’t happen for a while, if ever.
    “Sit,” said Sally. “I’ll order something for you.”
    She hailed the waitress and ordered coffees and cake.
    “Nothing for me,” said Douglas.
    She scoffed. “Don’t tell me you’re on a health kick again?”
    He laughed and patted his stomach. “It’s never a good idea to put on the pounds. Not at my age.”
    “You’re not too old.”
    There was a tone to Sally’s voice that made Julia look at her sharply. Sally smiled at him, a flirtatious gleam in her eye. When Julia glanced at him to see his reaction, he smiled widely but remained silent.
    As if suddenly remembering Julia was present, Sally patted her