The Icing on the Corpse by Mary Jane Maffini Read Free Book Online Page B

shoulder. “Benning did escape. It took a while for the name to make the radio news.” Before I could add it was lucky she hadn't known that during her hour-long wait for our arrival, Lindsay slipped gracefully from the chair to the floor.
    Merv said “holy shit” once more for good luck.

    Merv deposited Lindsay on the sofa in the living room. But even after she lifted her head from the butter-soft leather, things continued to go wrong.
    â€œIt's okay,” I said, “we're here with you. Everything's going to be all right.”
    â€œNo. Nothing is ever going to be all right. Ever.”
    â€œSure it is. Every cop in town is on the lookout for him.”
    Lindsay struggled to sit up. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. “Remember what happened to Rina? Living in that secure building. She thought she was safe. We're talking about a man who broke out of police custody. What could be more secure?”
    â€œThey'll get him. In the meantime, we'll stay with you. The police will be here soon, and we can move you to somewhere safer.”
    â€œI'll never feel safe.”
    â€œSure you will. Once he's back in custody, they'll take extra measures. This can't last long. And we won't leave you alone.”
    â€œFight or flight, isn't that what they call our two basic reactions to fear? Well, I've had the flight reaction, and you know what, it's hell. I'm his prisoner. As long as he's breathing, my life is not worth living.”
    â€œYour life is worth living,” Merv said.
    â€œMerv's right, Lindsay. That's just your nerves talking. And I understand how you feel. But this isn't a typical situation here.”
    â€œYou do not know how I feel. You're so confident. So sure that things will be all right. You haven't lived in hell like I have. You can't even imagine what it does to your brain.”
    â€œI shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry.” She was right. Every now and then I give myself away. I know the theory about the effect of abuse on the personality. I just don't feel it in my bones.
    â€œI'm not going on the run. I'll stay in my own home.”
    â€œHoly shit.”
    â€œShut up, Merv. Listen, Lindsay, that would make a lot of sense, normally, but this situation is not normal.”
    â€œI know. Ever since I met Ralph, my life has not been normal. And as long as he's alive, it won't ever be.”
    â€œYou won't be away long. This is just temporary. They'll have him back behind bars, and they'll throw away the key.”
    â€œI'd give anything to believe that, Camilla. If he can escape from custody here, he can escape from a maximum-security institution. He can escape from anywhere. I'll never be safe. So I have to live my life anyway.” The fine chin seemed even more pointed. Her hazel eyes were steady and calm. She reminded me of some sweet sainted virgin, strolling serenely to her martyrdom.
    â€œFine.” I didn't mean fine at all. “But I'm staying with you.”
    She shook her head. “You should use your time to boost the Crown's case. Plus, two small women, what could we do?
    Neither one of us will have a chance.”
    I hate this kind of thinking. But I had to admit Benning had at least one gun. Plus it had been less than nine months since I'd fought for my life with a killer. I wasn't sure how well I'd cope in the same circumstance. But it wasn't like I had a choice.
    â€œOkay, there's safety in numbers. So we need reinforcements. Merv's here. And we can get other people. I think the danger period, if they don't pick him up first, will be in the night. Elaine will come over, for sure. What about if Alvin joins us until they capture Benning?”
    Lindsay opened her mouth, but the strangled sounds came from Merv. “Alvin? That little peckerhead? I don't think so, Camilla.”
    I always find myself defending Alvin from other people. “Alvin thinks the world of Lindsay. He'd lay down his life for