Unidentified Woman #15 by David Housewright Read Free Book Online Page B

shoulder near the window,” I said. “I want you to take two more bites of food and then look at him.”
    Fifteen did exactly as I asked. I thought her body stiffened at the sight, yet I couldn’t be sure.
    “Have you seen him before?” I asked.
    “I don’t remember. Why?”
    “He’s been following us.”
    To her credit, Fifteen finished her waffle without missing a beat.
    “Are you sure?” she asked.
    “Let’s find out.”
    I paid the bill and escorted Fifteen back into the street. We retraced our steps, walking casually. At least I was casual. At one point, Fifteen took my hand in hers and did not let go until we reached the bridge. That’s when I glanced behind me. He was there, exactly thirty yards back.
    “What are we going to do?” Fifteen asked.
    I gave her hand a squeeze.
    “Patience,” I said.
    When we were halfway across the bridge, I guided Fifteen to the railing. She leaned against it as if enjoying the view of St. Anthony Falls, the Third Avenue Bridge, and Nicollet Island in the distance. At the same time, I turned my back to the railing, removed the glove from my right hand, and unzipped my coat. I made sure our companion saw me.
    He kept walking while looking straight ahead as if I weren’t there.
    I pivoted slowly, watching intently as he passed.
    I gave him a good thirty-yard head start before I nudged Fifteen.
    Together, we drifted to the middle of the bridge again and walked toward downtown, this time following our follower. He picked up his pace, increasing the distance between us to about a football field by the time he reached the end of the bridge. He turned right and soon disappeared. We turned left and headed back to the condominium. I did not see him again, and I looked hard.
    I rezipped my coat and replaced my glove.
    “McKenzie?”
    “Yes, sweetie?”
    “Are you carrying a gun?”
    “Nope.”
    She took my hand again.
    *   *   *
    When we returned to the condo, I announced that I was going down to the gym.
    “You’re going to work out?” Fifteen said.
    “I try to get in an hour a day.”
    “Doesn’t walking all that way count?”
    Well, sure, I told myself, if all I was concerned with was maintaining my girlish figure. Unfortunately, I have on occasion been asked to perform, shall we say, vigorous activities, and a walk in the park just wasn’t going to cut it. Especially at my advanced years. I didn’t tell Fifteen that, though. She seemed jumpy enough. Instead, I said, “It’s good for the heart.”
    Instead of her heart, Fifteen patted her flat stomach.
    “I suppose a little exercise couldn’t hurt. May I come with?”
    “Of course.”
    Fifteen dashed into the guest bedroom and returned a few minutes later dressed in Erica’s workout clothes. The shorts were loose around her waist and backside, yet the top was snug. I tried not to notice.
    The second-floor gym had most of the machines you’d find in a pay-by-the-month workout facility, but no trainers. Still, I had spent enough time—and money—in fitness clubs over the years that I knew how everything worked. Fifteen, it turned out, seemed to know as well. There were plenty of grunts and groans along the way, yet forty minutes later her body glistened with perspiration and the warm glow of good health. As for me, I was pushing harder than usual, trying to impress the girl.
    What’s wrong with you? my inner voice asked. She’s a child.
    I have no idea what you’re talking about, I told myself. I’m just working out.
    You know exactly what I’m talking about. Stop it.
    No harm, no foul, I reminded myself.
    Really, McKenzie? Really?
    “I’m sweating like a pig,” Fifteen said.
    The remark ended my internal debate.
    “You look great,” I said.
    “Do you think so?”
    “You’ve done this before.”
    Fifteen used her wrist to wipe the sweat off her forehead.
    “If I have, it hasn’t been recently,” she said.
    “At least six weeks, anyway.”
    She became very quiet after that, and I